The capture of Den Bengalske Prise () by two Danish yachts took place in late 1642 in the Bay of Bengal.

Following the governor of the Danish colony of Tranquebar, Bernt Pessart's, declaration of war against the Mughal Empire in late 1642, two Danish yachts were sent to Bengal to capture Bengali vessels as prizes. Here, the Danish expedition was successful, and a large, valuable sampan, renamed Den Bengalske Prise, was captured and incorporated into the Danish fleet in India.

Background

In 1616, the Danish East India Company was founded, and after a successful expedition to India in 1620, it established the colony of Tranquebar. Afterwards, the governor of Tranquebar, Roland Crappé, established multiple factories all over the East Indies, including Bengal, and Danish ships were regularly sent to India.

Prelude In late 1642, following continued disputes between Danish India and the Mughal Empire, the governor of Tranquebar, Bernt Pessart, declared war on the latter. Quickly after the declaration of war, a couple of Danish India's best yachts, Fortuna and Valby, were armed with cannons and men and sent to Bengal to initiate the war as privateers.

Capture Although records from this year are sparse, Danish colonial historian Kay Larsen noted that the expedition was likely successful. Nonetheless, the only information known is that the large, valuable sampan, later named Den Bengalske Prise (), was captured from the Great Mughal by the Danes at the end of 1642.

Claus Rytter account According to Dutch historians and numismatists Jan Lingen and Jan Lucassen, Den forgyldte Sol undertook the expedition that captured Den Bengalske Prise. This took place in April 1642, and Claus Rytter led the expedition. Nevertheless, this version is inconsistent with Danish author Asta Bredsdorff's, who mentions Rytter in the same timespan as conducting a voyage to the port of Bantam on Den forgyldte Sol.

Aftermath

Ship taken to Tranquebar The ship was subsequently brought to Tranquebar, where its cargo was sold, giving large profits. The ship itself was incorporated into the Danish fleet in India and armed with cannons from Fort Dansborg. Renamed Den Bengalske Prise, the ship would serve the for some years.

The war would be resumed at the arrival of Willem Leyel, with several successful expeditions to Bengal during the winter of 1643–1644.

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