<Table> <Tr> <Td> Portuguese </Td> <Td> 1512--1850 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Dutch East India Company </Td> <Td> 1602--1800 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> French and British interlude </Td> <Td> 1806--1815 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Netherlands East Indies </Td> <Td> 1800--1942 1945--1950 </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> Portuguese </Td> <Td> 1512--1850 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Dutch East India Company </Td> <Td> 1602--1800 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> French and British interlude </Td> <Td> 1806--1815 </Td> </Tr>

As a chain of islands the malay world developed a distinct culture