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Sunday, February 2, 2014

VOC Gate and Parade Ground

Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (literally "United East Indian Company”) Gate is a large wooden gate facing the Parade Ground located in Fort Kochi.  Built in 1749 by the Dutch East India Company, the gate carries a monogram VOC. The Dutch Mint was located here. The Dutch East India Company was the first multinational corporation in the world and the first company to issue stock.


The Parade Ground was used by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British colonists to conduct their military parades and drills. The buildings around the Parade Ground served as their defence establishments. After Independence, Parade Ground, earlier Barraca Maidan or the barracks ground, became a sporting arena and regularly hosted cricket and football matches. 

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