Abstract
The Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, or VOC) was active for almost two centuries, during which period it established a trading empire stretching from the Cape of Good Hope and Mauritius in the west to Japan and the Chinese Sea in the East. The primary aim of the VOC was to make a profit. Yet the very nature of the VOC's activities unwittingly helped to create an infrastructure for the mediation of knowledge. A major component of Dutch identity in the early modern era was adherence to the 'true Christian Reformed religion'. There were no difficulties for the VOC in combining a search for profit with religious motives. The VOC was prepared to take into its service ordained ministers of religion (predikanten) and lay-readers. Author also discusses the Cape of Good Hope and look specifically at the role of books here. Keywords:Cape of Good Hope; Christian; Dutch East India Company; mediation of knowledge; ministers of religion (predikanten); Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC)
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
