Both countries were large, powerfull empires. However, from what I gather the British conquered much more land than the Dutch. I've heard and read that the Dutch preffered not to 'conquer' land but rather put up trade points and used locals or 'hired' forces from other places to exploit the natives.
Is there any truth to these claims? If so, why did the Dutch chose this policy and did it pay off? I can see how it might yield bigger profits in the short term but would in the long run damage their position among the colonial powers.
Until the late 18th early 19th century it wasn't that common to have colonies as we imagine them now. Even India was more a series of treaties with local powers then a traditional, complete controlled colony. Early 19th century you saw the government from these areas move from the companies to the colonizing government forces starting with Wellesly (later Wellington) in India. At that time he Netherlands wasn't that big of a force anymore. But still considerable looking at the Dutch East Indies.
Before that only the Spanish had the tendency to actually conquer territory.
If you want to study European colonization following the Age of Exploration, you need to distinguish specific periods and places. European powers going to east Indies tended to focus on holding trading ports and were more than happy to choose sides in local conflicts that were either already brewing or that they were more than happy to encourage.
Comparing the English EIC and the Dutch VOC (just like the Portuguese before them), all had very limited projection of power in the east Indies. The one area that they had strong advantage was at sea, even if there were exceptions when local powers could beat them at sea through overwhelming numbers. So their strategy of focusing on trading ports made perfect sense.
Compare this with the Americas, where the situation was such that it was closer to Europe thus transfer of personnel and colonists were much easier, and the projection of power was much stronger.
Take as an example the British in Americas versus in India up to the 18th century where in the former they had large claims of land and large numbers of colonists, versus in India where they ruled by proxy. Here's a map of the Princely States at the end of British rule in India. Here's a map of British holdings in 1800.
The Dutch also significantly expanded their reach in the 19th century, as you can see in this simplified map.
