The conflict started over the raiding of Danish cattle by the local supervisor of a small land district, Perumal Naik.

[2] Established in 1620 after a treaty between Ove Gjedde and Raghunatha Nayak, Fort Dansborg was the capital and center of commerce in Danish India,[4] surrounded on land by the Kingdom of Thanjavur.

[6] On 17 June of the same year, Naik raided and stole a herd of cattle, which belonged to a Danish district.

[9] In response, the Danish government in Tranquerbar sent a small force of Indian sepoys to retake the lost cattle, although they were driven back.

[clarification needed] The governorate at Dansborg unilaterally agreed to keep the village as indemnity for the stolen cattle.

The following day, 30 June, a larger force of Perumal Naik's men, and reportedly also the regular army of Tanjore, launched an attack early in the morning.

They tried similarly with the Dutch and British, stating that they must not assist "these pagans," but should help the Danes instead by "continuing our rightful weapons against these inhumans".