Dutch expansion paused for several years during an interregnum of British rule between 1806 and 1816 , when the Dutch Republic was occupied by the French forces of Napoleon .
The Dutch gradually extended their sovereignty over most of the islands in the East Indies .
East Indies expansion paused for several years during an interregnum of British rule between 1806 and 1816 , when the Dutch Republic was occupied by the French forces of Napoleon .
The Dutch gradually extended their sovereignty over most of the islands in the East Indies .