HISTORY

THE PORTUGUESE

THE PORTUGUESE. 1500 TO 1600.

With the rise of the Portuguese in India, a conflict between them and the Indian powers was inevitable. The Rajas of Goa, Dabhol and Chaul had encouraged emigration from Arabia and these first Muhammedans were elevated to public offices. This had already given umbrage to the Christians and the jews who became their determined enemies, yet as the country of the Deccan and Gujarat was gradually brought under Muhammedan subjection, their enemies were unable to do these Arabian settlers any material injury until the Portuguese invaded India [These settlers were given the appellation of Nowoyits which literally means, the new race. (Briggs, IV, 533-34).].

Varthema in 1503 speaks of Dabhol as extremely good, surrounded by walls in the European fashion, containing a great number of Moorish merchants and governed by a pagan king, a great observer of justice [Bom. Gaz. X, 328, (Cf. Badger's Varthema, 115).]. Dabhol commanded a sufficiently great naval force as it is evident from the fact that when the Raja of Calicut solicited help from the Deccan Rajas and sent ambassadors to Egypt against the Portuguese because they waged war against the Muhammedans. Dabhol fleet co-operated with the admiral Munsoor Ghory, sent by the Caliph of Egypt, along with the fleet of Mahmud Shah of Gujarat, in opposing the Portuguese at Chaul. However the Arab vessels fell in the hands of the Portuguese [In 1508, the kings of Gujarat and Egypt entered into an alliance against the Portuguese, Ind. Ant., III, 100 (April 1874). Briggs, Ferishta, IV, 536, 74, 75; Nairne, 43. Briggs, Extracts from Faria-e-Souza's history, Ferishta, III, 507 (The account differs slightly). James Bird, History of Gujarat, 214-215.].

In 1507 Dom Lourenco de Almeida destroyed seven vessels of the Moors in the port of Chaul because they entered without returning his salute. He then went to Dabhol "where he discovered the Calicut fleet a short distance up the river". The Portuguese, however, did not engage the fleet which left Dabhol. When the Portuguese fleet had proceeded about four leagues, the leading vessels espied a ship sailing up a river and two of them followed until it cast anchor opposite to a town (probably Jaygad) where there were several other vessels. Seeing the chase, Dom Lourenco sent a galley after them, and the three together began to clear the shore of many natives assembled there; proceeding up the river they burnt all the ships in the harbour, excepting two laden with riches from Ormuz, which they carried away. They also burnt a house on shore that was full of much valuable merchandise [Danvers, Portuguese in India, I, 126; Nairne, 43-44; (The commander is referred to as Don Lorenzo d'Almuda); Briggs, III, 506. A. J. L. Sequeira, Ibid., 78. Dabhol was one of the most noted coast towns with a considerable trade and stately and magnificent buildings, girt with a wall, surrounded by country houses and fortified by a strong castle garrisoned by 6,000 men of whom 500 were Turks. Before it was pillaged by the Portuguese, Dabhol was De Castro says, a very large and noble settlement, the emporium of all India, thronged by the Persians, Arabs and traders from Cambay.].

Far more serious was the Portuguese attack on Dabhol in 1508 A.D. The Portuguese in 1508 A. D. "proceeded to Dabhol, then a place of great trade and considerable wealth, with the intention of attacking it. The Portuguese fleet entered this port on the 30th December [Faria-de-Souza states the date as 20 December 1508-Briggs, Ferishta, III, 507.A. J. L. Sequeira, Ibid., 80. Don Francisco Almeida left Goa with a fleet of nineteen vessels and 1600 men of which 800 were natives. Briggs, extracts from Faria-de-Souza, Ferishta, III, 507.] and at their approach the garrison was increased and every preparation made to meet an attack. The Portuguese at once landed and dividing themselves into three bodies, attacked the three gates of the city simultaneously. These were all defended with desperate valour. Whilst the attack was proceeding, the viceroy sent Nuno Vaz Pareira to gain entrance by another way, which he succeeded in doing in spite of a resolute resistance. The enemy seeing themselves thus taken in flank at once broke and fled, some to the mosque and others to the mountains. The fight lasted about five hours, during which 1500 of the defenders were killed, but only sixteen Portuguese. The next morning the viceroy gave leave to plunder, but this was hindered by the firing of the town and in a few hours it was reduced to a heap of ashes. The booty taken only amounted to 15,000 ducats. It was afterwards ascertained that the viceroy had ordered the town to be destroyed, fearing that if his soldiers realised too great riches, they might be unwilling to follow him in carrying out his further designs.

"The ships in the harbour fared the same fate as the town. The fleet left Dabhol on the 5th January 1509 [A. J. L. Sequeira, Ibid., 53, 81. Danvers, Portuguese in India, I, 140; Ind Ant., II, 280; Nairne, 44.].

Those who escaped, came back and restored the city. But Sangameshvar had been now the headquarters of the Bijapur Governor. Barbosa (1514) speaks of it as Singuicar, a town of much commerce and merchandise with many ships from diverse ports and was known for its ship-building activities. It was also, though this was probably at Jaygad at the river mouth, a great stronghold of pirates [Bom. Gaz. X. 372 cf. Stanley, Barbosa and Decoutto, XII, 30,].

"The Portuguese captured Goa on the 4th March 1510. The Sultan of Bijapur made preparations to recapture the fort. He was assisted in this enterprise by the Rajah of Sangameshvar". Whilst he was thus engaged Albuquerque received a letter from Mandalay, Lord of Condal (Kudal) informing him that Baloji, Lord of Pervalay and of the kingdom of Sangameshvar, was in communication with Rocalkhan, a captain of the Cabaio, and with Melique Ratao, Lord of Carrapetao (Kharepatan) and that all these three had sent their ambassadors to Adilkhan, desiring him to furnish them with men, in order that they might, with that assistance, make a descent on the Portuguese with a view to the recapture of Goa. He also stated that Baloji was already at Banda with 2,000 men intending to defend that land on behalf of the Adilkhan [A. J. L. Sequeira, 151. Danvers Portuguese in India, I, 192; Ind. Ant. II, 280.].''

During the peace parleys [Note.-It is not likely that the Portuguese in the beginning of the 16th century with all their great schemes would have troubled themselves about Ratnagiri district, if there had not been in it ports and marts of too great importance to be left in the hands of their enemies, the Turks. But Chaul and Dabhol could not be so left, while the Portuguese could not spare men enough to establish themselves in these ports in the same ways as they had determined to do at Goa. The state of the Muhammedan kingdoms which divided the Konkan among them, was however at this time entirely favourable to the designs of the Portuguese. The Northern Konkan as far south as Nagothne had belonged to Gujarat but the southern Konkan had only just been divided between the dynasties of Bijapur and Ahmadnagar. The rivalry which existed between these two was probably the cause of the Portuguese first obtaining a footing in the Konkan. The Ahmadnagar king, who had possession of the coast from Nagothne to Bankot, admitted them into Chaul and at a very early date accepted the protection of their fleet for the vessels which frequented his ports, and for that protection paid them a tribute and allowed them to establish a factory at Chaul. This was between 1512 and 1521. And by the latter year the Portuguese had obtained permission to build a small fort there and had command of the whole river. The captaincy of the fortress was already an important appointment in 1524 when Vasco de Gama took charge of the viceroyalty there, as the first port touched at. On the other hand the Bijapur king was too powerful on the coast to accept the protection or acknowledge the supremacy of the Portuguese fleet and the consequence was that Dabhol was destroyed. On several subsequent occasions, the destruction, was repeated; for Dabhol was so great a place of resort for ships from Malabar and Arabia that it very soon recovered its importance. The Gujarat fleet was also attacked by the allied forces of the Portuguese and Ahmadnagar. Ferishta says that in 1510 Goa was ceded by the king of Bijapur to the Portuguese as the condition of their not molesting the other towns on the coast and that they kept this treaty. The Portuguese historians, however, give a very different account; for according to themselves they were constantly marauding Dabhol. Nairne, 45-46; Ind. Ant. II, 280. The Sultan of Bijapur offered a friend by alliance if the Portuguese would protect the import of horses into Dabhol.] before the assault on Goa, Albuquerque advised the Sultan of Bijapur to raise the siege and "surrender Dabhol to the Portuguese, that they might erect a fortress at that place [Danvers, Ibid, I, 195.

A. J. L. Sequeira, the relations between the Portuguese and the Sultans Of Bijapur, 52, 53, 166.] ".

Although the Sultan captured Goa, it was retaken by the Portuguese, on 25th November 1510.

Efforts on the part of the Sultans of Bijapur to recapture Goa from the Portuguese continued throughout the 16th century but without success. The Portuguese retaliated by blockading and attacking the port of Dabhol and other places in the district thus seriously affecting the coastal trade of the region.

In 1512, Albuquerque commanded Garcia de Gousa to take certain ships and cruise off the bar of Dabhol and not permit a single vessel to go into or out of, the port with the object of making war upon Adilkhan, wherever he was able to prevail against him [Danvers, Ibid, I, 253; A. J. L. Sequeira, 313.].

The ambassador sent by Prestes Joao, king of Abyssinia arrived at Dabhol. He came in a ship from Zeila but when he came to the port of Dabhol, he was detained by the Governors of the city who refused to give him up without the consent of the Sultans of Bijapur. They immediately wrote to the court of Bijapur of his arrival and detention. D. Gracia de Noronha sent Estevao de Freitas to Goa informing Alfanso de Albuquerque of what had happened. Estevao de Freitas was immediately sent back with the reply that he should be sent on to Goa. D. Gracia de Noronha requested the Governors to give him up to him, at the same time informing them of the orders sent by Albuquerque. They were reluctant to hand him over but fearing that the Portuguese might back up the request with force, they delivered him up. [A. J. L. Sequeira, O. C; 319.]

In 1514, the trade of Dabhol was again interfered with by the Portuguese. Albuquerque "irritated at his (Adilshah's) conduct in giving shelter in his kingdom to certain Portuguese of low degree, and treating them with honour and distinction sent a secret message to Duarte de Gousa, who was cruising off Dabhol in a galley, that, acting as though he had mutinied, he was to take possession of all the ships of the Moors which might put into that port even if they carried the Portuguese safe conduct [Ibid, 302; still the Muhammedan hold on Dabhol was not less stiff. In 1515, a Persian Ambassador had embarked at Dabhol on his way back, from Bijapur-Ind. Ant. II, 280.]."

The district suffered much from the marauding expeditions of the Portuguese as in 1522, the Portuguese landed and levied a contribution on Dabhol [Ind. Ant.; II, 280; A. L. J. Sequeira, Ibid, 60.]. The Gujarat admiral, Mulik Eiaz continued for many days off the ports and interrupted all communications between the persons constructing the factory on shore (at Chaul) and the Portuguese fleet [Briggs, Ferishta, III, 512, 513; Bird, History of Gujarat, 237,].

"The disagreements between Bahadur Shah (Gujarat) and Boorhan Nizam Shah I, being now at an end, the latter was at leisure to attend to the administration of his dominions and accordingly by the wise policy of Kanhu Narsi, he reduced in a very short time (1531) thirty forts belonging to the Maratha Rajas who had not paid allegiance since the death of Ahmad Nizam Shah; after which he enlisted them in his service, giving them back their lands in jageer, on condition that they should supply troops [Briggs, Ibid, III, 226.].

The Portuguese built the fort of Revadanda [Briggs, Ibid, III, 522; IV, 538.]. In 1547 Joao de Castro made treaties both with Ahmadnagar and Vijayanagar, offensive and defensive, against Bijapur. The Portuguese were bound to defend the coast of the Ahmadnagar kingdom against pirates, in return for which they were to receive as payment sailors' provisions and timber for their ships. The treaty with Vijayanagar contained also many stipulations as to trade. Both stipulated against the ports of this coast being open to or any help being given to fleets or ships of the Turks [Nairne, 47, Cf. Annaes Maratimos-e-Colonials (1884), 69, 72. A. J. L. Sequeira, Ibid, 61 400/401. The treaty with Vijayanagar on 19th September 1547 and the treaty with Iniza Maxa (Nizam shah) on 6th October 1547.]. Immediately after these treaties followed the Portuguese expedition of 1547 [Dabhol and Bankot were still important places and the Gujarat army had left these waters in possession of the Portuguese. The Bijapur Governor of Sangameshvar scheming to make himself independent asked for but was refused the Portuguese help. Asad Khan of Belgaum endeavoured to induce Don Garcia, the Governor General of Goa to deliver over the prince Mullo Khan of Bijapur into his hands. Asad Khan promised to make over Konkan, yielding a million sterling, to gain his purpose. But Asad died and the Portuguese agreed to deliver the prince to his brother. Dom Joao de Castro, under the name of Beicoim describes (1540) the Bankot river with great detail. It took the name Beicoim from a town on the south bank about a league from the river mouth. Ships went there to load wheat and many other kinds of food and had its harbour not been so difficult, it would have been one of the first places on the coast. Briggs, Ferishta, III, 516-517; Bom. Gaz. X, 372, 321. X'avier arrived in India in 1544 and once visited Kharepatan, Nairne, 56.], which seems to have exceeded all previous ones in cruelty and severity, for every place between Goa and Shrivardhan is said to have been burnt by the Portuguese, Dabhol being always the first place to suffer [Nairne, 47; Ind. Ant. II, 280. Bankot was also destroyed by the Portuguese Bom. Gaz. X, 321.]. In 1547 A. D. "The Governor sailed with 160 ships along the coast of Por and Mongalor, burning and destroying the beautiful cities of Pate and Patane together with the vessels in these ports. He did the same to Dabhol, and then returned to Goa, laden with a rich booty taken at those places [Danvers, The Portuguese in India, I, 479, Briggs, Ferishta, III, 518, 519; A. J. L. Sequeira, 401.]". In January 1548, he reduced Dabhol to ashes [A. J. L. Sequeira, 403.].

In 1556 A.D., Miquel Rodriques Coutinho continued "going to the territories of Salsette and Bardes against some troops of the Adilkhan ................ destroyed all the sea ports with fire and the sword, and captured a large number of ships. Having killed a number of the enemy, made many prisoners, and captured some valuable goods from a large Mecca vessel at Dabhol after a sharp engagement, he returned with honours and riches to Goa [A. J. L. Sequeira, The relations of the Portuguese and the Sultans of Bijapur (Bom. Uni.) 39,61,436. Ibid, 507,].

The same year Barreto "received orders to proceed to Dabhol, and join his forces with those of Antonis Pareira Brandac, admiral of that coast, with the view of destroying that place, in revenge for the actions of the Adilkhan. Having attacked the city, which was vigorously defended for some time, it was captured and reduced to a heap of ruins [Ibid, 508; Nairne, 47; Ind. Ant. II, 280.

A. J. L. Sequeira, O. C, 437.

Nairne states that the Bijapur forces were defeated at Achra and on the' Karli river, both near Malvan.]".

In 1564 a Portuguese vessel lay off the mouth of the river of Kharepatan and between 5th February and the end of March took more than twenty trading vessels belonging to the Gujarat ports and bound for Kharepatan, burning them and putting the crews to death [Frequent mention of Kharepatan is made by the Portuguese historians,. This shows that the place must have been, at that time, of considerable trade. Ind. Ant., III, (April 1874), 102.].

In 1570 the kings of Bijapur and Ahmadnagar entered into an alliance against the Portuguese and while the Bijapur troops in great force invaded the district around Goa, those of Ahmadnagar besieged Chaul area, which was defended by Don Francisco de Mascarenhas, afterwards the first viceroy under Philip II of Spain. This was one of the severest trials the Portuguese ever had to undergo and the result covered them with glory. They estimated the troops of Ahmadnagar which invaded their territories at 42,000 cavalry and 120,000 infantry. King Murtaza Nizam Shah marched against the fort of Revdanda belonging to the Portuguese, but was obliged to raise the siege after a blockade of some months, as the enemy obtained provisions by sea, owing to the help of the Nizam Shahi officers who were bribed by the presents, particularly of wine [A. J. L. Sequeira, Ibid, 39, 445.

Briggs, Ferishta, III, 522.

While this was going on the Portuguese were able to make an attack from Bassein on Kalyan, which then belonged to Ahmadnagar. The suburbe were burnt and a considerable booty taken-Nairne, 49.']. The Portuguese fleet under Dom Fernando de Vascone ellos also destroyed Dabhol [Ind. Ant. II, 280; Nairne, Ibid.

Gujarat historians speak of Dabhol, Dand Rajpuri as European ports is 1570 A. D. Bird, Mirat-i-Ahmadi (History of Gujarat), 129.

A. J. L. Sequeira, Ibid, 62, 63, 456, 464-480.].

A Portuguese force in 1571 landed at Dabhol with the intention of burning it as usual, though one would suppose that, as only one year had elapsed since the last occasion, there would not be much worth burning. But, the Governor, Khwaja Ali Shirazi, having heard of their intentions laid an ambush and put to death 150 of them. However, the Portuguese burnt Kharepatan. It is evident that by 1560 the Portuguese were entirely masters of this coast and once established they never drew back easily [The Portuguese historians are discreetly silent about this event but Ferishta mentions it-Ind. Ant., II, 280; Nairne, 47. The Portuguese plundered several ships belonging to Akbar, returning from Judda in the Red sea. They also landed and burned the towns of Adilabad and Carapatam and went to Dabhol for the same purpose-Briggs, Ferishta, IV, 540, Akbar however did not put a stop to the Portuguese inroads on account of the celebrated beauty, Lady Donna Juliana Diez, in the Imperial Seraglio- Jervis, 84.].

Fresh treaties were drawn in 1575 and 1576 [A J. L. Sequejra, The relations of the Portuguese with the Sultans, of Bijapur (Bom. Uni.) 1932. 63.] but Dom Diogo de Menezes, assuming office at Goa in 1576 titled out several squadrons which he despatched in different directions. Four captains who were on the northern coast put into the port of Dabhol. The Sultan of Bijapur being at peace with the Portuguese they were well received by the Thanedar Malik Tocam. He offered to supply them with anything they required and invited the captains, Dom Jeronymo Mascarenhas, Dom Diogo, Dom Antonio da Sylveira and Francisco Pessoa and their officers to dine with him. With the exception of Mascarenhas who remained in the vessel in the harbour and suspected some treachery, the rest accepted the invitation. The dinner being over the guests were enjoying themselves when they were suddenly attacked by some hired assassins and brutally murdered. Only a few succeeded in reaching the shore and escaped to the vessels. The murderers then attacked Mascarenhas' ship but were repulsed. Dom Jeronymo immediately afterwards left for Goa to convey the news of the disaster.

As soon as the Governor was informed, he despatched Dom Pedro de Menezes with a small fleet to avenge this wrong. He ordered him to lay in wait for the Mecca ship and destroy whatever he could on the coast. Menezes fell in with two large ships and he destroyed them. Dom Louise de Athaide, at that time, arrived at Goa and took up the Government. He at once took in hand the affairs of Dabhol. He sent supplies and reinforcements to Dom Pedro de Menezes to enable him to act more vigorously against Malik Tocam. He himself conducted the war against the Sultan of Bijapur along the river Goa. The latter enterprise was so successful that the Sultan sued for peace. He promised as a condition to banish the traitor Malik Tocam not only from Dabhol, but from all his dominions for ever. The peace being concluded, the Portuguese forces retired to their territories.

The treaty had been concluded with the Sultan but the Malik Tocam was still at Dabhol. He publicly exercised his office as Thanedar and built a great ship for the Mecca trade. All these facts came to the knowledge of the Viceroy who despatched Dom Paulo de Lima Pareira to Dabhol with a fleet of ten sail to enforce the treaty. The Portuguese on arriving there, found the whole shore fortified with a large number of cannon, 6000 horse and an equally strong force of infantry. Dom Paulo was not able to disperse this great force with his small fleet. Nevertheless he proceeded up the river and destroyed a number of towns. Just at this juncture the Malik was reinforced by two Malabarese pirates Cartale and Mandairray who were in the neighbourhood with five galliots and whose aid was solicited. Malik joined them with five more sail manned by 5000 resolute Turks and Persians. A fierce fight ensued. The Portuguese boarded the vessels and engaged in a hand to hand encounter. Only one of Malik's ship escaped and all the rest being either captured or destroyed. Dom Paulo then returned to Goa with nine more vessels than he had when he left the place [A. J. L. Sequeira, The relations of the Portuguese and the Sultans of Bijapur (Bom. Uni.) 1932, 526-529. Danvers, O. C. II, 24-25.].

According to the treaty of 1577 Malik Tocam was banished from the kingdom of Bijapur, but he was still carrying on his office at Dabhol. The Sultan did not care to interfere in the matter and the Portuguese sent an expedition against the Malik. Malik Tocam was defeated and killed in 1579. This incident did not in the least create enmity between the Portuguese and the Sultan of Bijapur [A. J. L. Sequeira, O. C. 531.].

The treaty was concluded between the Portuguese and the Sultan of Bijapur " on the twenty-ninth of January of 1582, in the mansion of the Toao de Faria, secretary of the State, by order of the most illustrious Senhor Dom Francisco Mascarenhas, count of Villa d'orta, viceroy of India; being present Abdul Malique (Abdul Malik) and Coje Fartadim (Khwaja Fath-ud-din), ambassador of Idalaxa (Bijapur) and Manoel Moraes, whom the said H.E. the Count sends at present to Dabul (Dabhol), and Balthazar Pacheco, interpreter for the State, and Goje Abrao' (Khwaja Abraham), Jew, and the witnesses undersigned; the said ambassadors said that they were ready in the name of Idalaxa, their Lord, by the powers granted to them, to fulfil, and satisfy the treaty of peace as contained in it, which the count Dom Louis de Ataide, the viceroy of India, had settled with Mustafacao (Mustafa Khan) and Zaerbeque (Zahir Baker), through Manuel de Souza the captain. And the said contract was ready by me, secretary, and declared the terms contained therein to be fulfilled, namely to demolish the fortifications of Dabhol, to give charge of all the artillery that may be found in it and in all their dominions, and likewise some ships which still remain to be delivered and to pay all the debts to the Portuguese and the duties for the horses that shall be considered to be due to the treasury of H.M.; and to cause the ships of the merchants to come from their ports to this city. And after being read and declared to them in the said language, they said that as regards the demolition of the fortification of Dabhol, they were obliged to destroy it in the short time possible, utilising in this all their efforts by bringing the menials from the said Dabhol, all that they could find therein and get together for the said purpose; and likewise to give up all the artillery, big and small that may be found in the said port of Dabhol and their kingdom, that should belong to H. M. our lord, and to the Portuguese subjects of H.M.; and possessing some of their beak-heads (of ships) which will be converted into cargo ships and acquiring some ships of the merchants, they will make them come to this city, without committing any outrage to them; and in order that all this may be fulfilled, Havildar of H.M. will be sent, with their letters in company of Manoel de Moraes, who had been chosen by the said H. M. the count to this effect, and to remain present during the demolition of the said fortification and while giving charge of the artillery and ships and the other things declared above; and as for the debts that they owed to the Portuguese and the duties of horses to the treasury of H.M. which they were ready and prepared to contribute with all that has been accounted for and to this effect and other conditions declared above, that they will promise to fulfil and oblige their own persons and belongings (fazenda) and wives and sons, that they had in this city; and that they will not leave it without all effectively being fulfilled, and satisfying them with everything; the said H.E. the count promised to fulfil the said contract of peace in the name of H.M. which was concluded and settled by the count of Atouguia, of which this is a settlement, in which H.E. signed with the ambassadors and persons mentioned above. Other witnesses that were present, Bartha-lomeau Velho, Manoel Coelho, clerks (who were) in presence of me, secretary; and I Joao de Faria ordered it to be written and subscribed -the count Don Francisco Mascarenhas Joan de Faria-Baltezar Pacheco-Barthalomeau Velho-Manoel Coelho-Coje Fartadym- Abdul Malique-Coje Abrao [A. J. L. Sequeira, O. C. 533-536-Of. Pazes-e-Tratados, No. 1. Anno de 1571, Fol. 12. Nothing is found of this treaty in Faria de Souza. The whole document refers to Dabhol and to its dismantling by the Bijapur authorities. The Portuguese original was also published in the Archivo Portuguese Oriental, V, pp. 985-987, copied from the Livro Grande des Pazes, Fol. 12; with which this copy has been compared and checked by A. J. L. Sequeira. One full line of abovementioned copy has been omitted in the one published in the Archivo, p. 986.].

There was fighting in the other parts of the district as well, since the Portuguese had backed a pretender to the throne of Bijapur in 1555 A.P. and had taken part in the civil war.

The Governor " went to Ponda to assist at the installation of Meale Khan as king and he appointed officers for the collection of the revenues about Ponda ........... Xacolim Aga, who was collecting the same on behalf of the Adilkhan opposed Noronha with a force of 7,000 men. The Governor having sent a supply of ammunition to Noronha, he marched to Cuzale, of which he easily took possession...................Not far from Achara, the Portuguese were attacked by a force of 1,000 men. After a sharp fight the enemy were completely routed with a heavy loss. Further up the river the Portuguese encountered another force of the enemy, commanded by Xacolim himself. Here, again, the enemy were routed with a loss of 1,000 killed, the Portuguese losses being only twenty-four[Danvers, O. C. I, 505. ].

"In 1584 the viceroy despatched Dom Giles Yanez Mascarenhas to Cochin with orders on his way to destroy the fort built by the Naik of Sangameshvar on the river of that name. The object of the fort was to give protection to the pirates who infested these parts and did great damage to the Portuguese shipping. Dom Giles started with a fleet of fourteen sail and had a force of three hundred men from Goa. He thus sailed up the river. But on his way he got from his galleon into a small vessel and ran so far into the rocks that he could not get out again. The enemy who covered the shore immediately attacked him and he was killed. The rest of the force was not able to send him any help and the expedition retired.

"Duarte de Menzes was now appointed to succeed Dom Francisco Mascarenhas as viceroy. He arrived at Goa in 1584 and took charge of the Government. Soon after his arrival he took in hand the affair of the Naik of Sangameshvar [A, J. L. Sequeira, O. C, 537.]. Thus in 1584, the Naik of Sangame-shvar was attacked by the Portuguese and the Sultan of Bijapur.

"The viceroy received an ambassador from the Adilkhan, with whom he entered into negotiations with the view of sending a joint expedition against the Naik of Sangameshvar, to punish him for causing the death of Dom Giles Yanez, and to put down the piracy that existed on that coast. It was agreed that, Rosti Khan, Governor of Ponda, should assist with 40,000 men by land whilst Dom Hierome de Mascarenhas should attack the Naik by sea. These arrangements were accordingly carried out; Dom Hierome, entering the river with his ships, sent up a.party of men in thirteen rowing boats, who at break of day came upon some works thrown up for defence. A force was landed which attacked the enemy and having killed many of them the rest fled, and the Portuguese then captured their defences, and took all the cannon out of them. They then marched upon the town, whereupon the inhabitants fled without making any attempt at defence. In their flight they fell into the hands of Rosti Khan, who was advancing upon the town from the opposite direction. The two forces then laid waste the whole country, whereupon the Naik, who had fled to the woods for safety, sent an ambassador to implore mercy, promising to submit to any conditions provided he was restored to his powers and his territories spared. Arrangements to this effect were accordingly concluded and the invading armies then retired [Danvers, Ibid, II, 57. Briggs, Ferishta III, 524. A. J. L. Sequeira, Ibid, 64, 539. ]."

The small chief-ship of Sangameshvar [Sangameshvar is mentioned by the earliest Portuguese historians but not as a place of much mark and chiefly in connection with the pirates frequenting the river. South of Bombay, De Baros only mentions in his discriptioning the river. South of Bombay, De Baros only mentions in his description Carapaton. Of these Chaul and Dabhol are called cities and ranked with Surat and Goa. Ind. Ant, III, (April 1874), 102.] referred to above had continued in the district from the fourteenth century. The Raja of Sangameshvar, Jakkurai had brought disaster to the Bahamani armies in 1453 A.D. He had submitted to the Bahamani general Mahmud Gavan only in 1471 A.D. On the establishment of the Bijapur kingdom, he continued to be loyal to the Sultans of Bijapur. The Raja Baloji, described as the Lord of Pervaloy (Prabhavali) and of the kingdom of Sangameshvar assisted the Sultan of Bijapur in his efforts to recapture Goa in 1510 A.D. The importance of this state was considerably reduced in the 16th century towards the end of which the chiefs are described as the Naiks of Sangameshvar. But a new family arose to power in the middle of the 16th century.

In the southern part of the district the area round Savantvadi was under the chief of Kudal. In the middle of the 16th century (1554), one Mang Savant, revolting from Bijapur tried to establish himself as an independent chief. Making Hodavada his chief, city a small village six miles from Vadi, defeated the Bijapur troops sent against him and till his death maintained his independence. So great a name did he gain for courage and skill, that on his death he was deified and his shrine (math) is still to be seen at Hodavada. Mang's successors, unable to maintain their independence again became feudatories of the Bijapur kings.

The Savants again made themselves independent on the decline of Bijapur.

In spite of the wars arising out of the Bijapur Portuguese conflicts in the district had on the whole a stable administration in the 16th and the first half of the seventeenth century. Yusuf Adil Shah the founder of the Bijapur dynasty took steps to improve the district and bring its wastelands under tillage [Though it is not difficult to understand why it was that Dabhol declined in the latter days of the Musalmans, and still more subsequently, so long as the Musalman capital was at Bidar or Gulburga, Dabhol was the nearest port, and there was no need to look for another. But when independent kingdoms were established at Bijapur and Golkonda, it would be natural to look for ports further south than Dabhol; and Rajapur and especially the splendid harbour and creek of Gheria, would soon obtain the preference. And in Maratha days, Dabhol was entirely eclipsed by the neighbouring town and fortress of Anjanvel and thus, between near and distant rivals, fell into utter obscurity as also did Chaul. The Hindu inhabitants are said to have grants of some of the best sites in the town of Dabhol described as waste lands. Thornton's Gazetteer of India does not even contain the name of Dabhol. On the other hand, in a map of India published with Orme's Historical Fragments in 1782, Dabhol is marked conspicuously, while several lines are given to it in a small Gazetteer of the Eastern Hemisphere, published at Boston, U. S. in 1808-Ind. Ant. II, (Oct. 1873), 281. Again, it is easy to see that it was no part of the Portuguese plan to invade the inland parts of the country; in fact, the mere occupation of the ports would have caused too great a drain on the population of Portuguese if Albuquerque had not provided his soldiers with wives from the women of Goa.-Nairne, 47; Rev. Sabino D'Souza, " The Struggle between the Portuguese and the Marathas on the Goa border (1953)" (Bom. Uni.), 33.]. A new class of officers, the khots, was introduced in the central parts of the district. They were in the nature of farmers of revenue, and on condition of extending cultivation and populating the villages, were given certain considerations which allowed them a close connection with the hereditary revenue officers and a hold on the village affairs.

The taxes were not heavy and with considerable coastal trade and a strong administration the district achieved a fair measure of prosperity under the Sultans of Bijapur. The slow decline of the Portuguese during this period (1600-1650) had the result of ensuring peace from coastal strifes between Bijapur and the Portuguese and ensuring a stable administration [The Shenvis fled from Goa to escape conversion by the Portuguese and settled in Malvan and Vengurle, Bom. Gaz. X, 116.

Thus many of these grants confirmed in the Vatans, the Hindu proprietors desais, deshpandes and kulkarnis; (Nairne, 34). The first introduction of the Khots as Jervis learnt from inscriptions and many knowls or grants for the occupation of new land, was in the year 1502 when Mustafa Khan was deputed by Ali Adil Shah, first king of Bijapur to administer the affairs of the subhedari of Dabhol, extending from the Savitri river to the Gurnyee river. In many of the knowls, the Desaees, Koolkurnees and Deshpandes, about that period, are confirmed in their vatans, from which it is to be supposed that these officers had been some time in existence, although they were merely looked upon as agents or poligars, who had usurped certain privileges which, for the better realization of the revenue, and in view of the conciliation of this troublesome but useful class of revenue agents, the Bijapur government thought it necessary to enter into such recognizances-Jervis, (1835), 75.].

With the rise of Shivaji (1630-1680) the hold of the Sultans on the district was lost by 1675 and the district passed finally into the hands of the Marathas.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese authorities were aware of the imperialistic designs of Akbar and the king of Portugal, Philip II of Spain himself was the first in urging the viceroy Dom Francisco de Gama, to be ready for the Moghal attack [Moncoes do Reino, No. 4, Ano de 1595 to 1598. Fol. 629. Letter dated 25th February 1596 (Archivo da Secretaria Geral do Governo). Rev. H. Heras. " The Portuguese alliance with the Muhammedan kingdoms of the Deccan", BBRAS. Vol. I, (New series), 1925, 122.]. The best preparation against the Moghal army seemed a defensive alliance with the Malik, the Chief of Dabhol and the neighbouring kingdoms. Akbar could never reach the Portuguese settlement but by passing through these kingdoms, since he would not venture to fight the Portuguese on the sea [Letter dated 5th February 1597, Ibid, Fol. 783. In reply from the viceroy to the king, there is an account of the steps taken by the king of Bijapur to foster this alliance. Ibid. Fol. 785. Although these documents inform us only of the negotiations between the Portuguese and the king of Bijapur and the Malik, nevertheless there is no doubt that all the other kingdoms of the Deccan joined this alliance and it seems probable that this invitation was made through the above mentioned chief of Dabhol.].

During the time of the rebellion of Prince Salim against his father the alliance was forgotten, being then unnecessary as the interior disturbances of Akbar's kingdom became a cause of rejoicing for his enemies [Letter of Philip III of Spain to the same viceroy, dated Lisbon, 21st November 1598. Ibid, No. 2 Ano de 1583 to 1601 Folio 421; Letter dated Libson 25th January 1601, No. 8 Ano de 1601 to 1602, Fol. 18; Letter, dated 23rd March 1604, Valladolid in Spain to Viceroy Ayres de Saldhana No. 9, Ano de 1604 Fol. 22. ].

At last the Portuguese saw all those kingdoms overcome by the Moghal Emperors, being themselves safe in the midst of that storm, on account of the new Maratha kingdom that arose from their ruins.

THE DUTCH (1595).

With the seventeenth century, the European rivals of the Dutch, the Portuguese (1595) [A. J. L. Sequira Ibid 89.] began to trouble them as well as the Malabar and Arab pirates. In 1615 the chief points in the treaty made between the Emperor Jehangir and the Portuguese expressed their mutual enmity to the English and Dutch. The entry of other Europeans into Indian seas was looked on as so much of a calamity that Dela Valle calls it one of the signs of the decay of the Portuguese that English and Dutch ships frequent the ports of Dabhol, (Chaul and Bassein) without hindrance and without acknowledging the Portuguese supremacy, though the latter still prevented native vessels from sailing in these seas without their permission. So late as 1624 no one could go to Europe by way of Persia and Turkey without obtaining leave from the authorities of Goa.

The Dutch found it easier to conquer the Portuguese than to make new settlements for themselves and they were everywhere assisted by the hatred which the natives had now for the Portuguese. The Dutch blockaded Goa in 1603 and [Ibid, 40.] from 1639 to 1642 in the last mentioned year took some ships trying to enter the port. A cessation of arms for ten years had been concluded in Europe between the Portuguese and Dutch in 1641, and this extended to Asia in the following year, but in 1649, the war was again going on. The Dutch had built a fortified factory at Vengurle previous to 1641. But it does not appear that they ever cared much about establishing themselves in the Konkan, as at that time they refused an invitation from the king of Bijapur to winter their ships in Dabhol, Ortzery (Achra?) or other of his harbours [Nairne, 63.]. They were however for many years the strongest of the European powers in the East [Hatalkar, Relations between the French and the Marathas, 4.].

In 1638, under the name Fingurla, Vengurle is mentioned as a very convenient haven, where the Dutch had a trade settlement and victualled their ships during their eight month blockade of Goa [In 1614, the Portuguese viceroy, Don Zeronymo de Azvedo despatched Antonio Monteiro Corte Real as ambassador to the Sultan of Bijapur, insisting on the Dutch being expelled from Bijapur territory, as the Dutch were attempting to gain the Sultan's favour and were attempting the establishment of a factory at Bijapur, also.-A. J. L. Sequeira, O. C. 541. But the Dutch succeeded in getting a footing on 15th November 1638, the Dutch again appeared before Goa and asked the Sultan to co-operate in expelling the Portuguese out of India. In 1639, the Portuguese viceroy again appealed to the Sultan against the Dutch. This met with no success and the Dutch not only remained in the peaceful possession of their factory at Vengurle, but they were at the same time negotiating for a factory at Karwar, where the English were also endeavouring to obtain a footing The Portuguese trade by this time was completely destroyed-A. J. L Sequeira, O. C. 546-547. Baldaeus (1660) says the Hollaudus have a stately factory at Vengurli a place very considerable, not only for its plenty of wheat, rice and all sorts of provisions but also for its situation near Goa-Bom. Gaz. X, 377 Of Churchill III, 602 (Collected Voyages). ].

In 1660, the Dutch fleet was again blockading the harbour of Goa, but could not get close enough to take it [At that time the following description is given of an event at Vengurle in which the Dutch took part. " The Bantam Yachts were waiting to transport the queen of Golconda from Vengurle to Mokha on her way to the tomb of Muhammad. Her guards who had conducted her eighty leagues were 4,000 cavalry with long coats of mail, the shoulders whereof were embroidered with serpents' heads like the ancient Romans, they had bright polished helmets, were armed with bows and arrows, wore long beards, and were mounted on very fine Persian horses. On each side of every man of quality who attended her was a footman holding the briddle: the queen and all her ladies were carried in close litters concealed from public view, and they were preceded by several camels covered with rich furniture, on one whereof was mounted a kettle drummer, who performed with great dexterity. The commodore and the Director of the Dutch East India Company met her two leagues from the town, in which while she sayed, she dictated to her secretaries in several different languages. There was a magnificent tent erected for her on the sea shore, the passage from whence to the shallop which was to carry her on board the Yacht was covered with Calico". Verigurle is described as a large village on the sea-shore where most ships for Persia were obliged to touch for wood and water. Nairne, 63, Footnote; Rajapur also is one of the oldest towns in the district and was formerly a place of great trade, which is proved by the English, French and Dutch all having had factories in very early days-Ind. Ant. II, 319.].

In 1660, under the name Mingrela, it is mentioned as a large town stretching half a league along the coast, with one of the best roads in India, where all the vessels that came from Batavia, Japan, Bengal and Ceylon, and those bound for Surat, Ormuz, Balfora and the red sea, both coming and going, anchored, because both the water and rice were excellent. It was famous also for its best of spices cardamoms, which not being had in other countries, were very scarce and dear; also for its great store of coarse calicuts spent in the country, and great quantities of coarse matting that served for packing goods [Bom. Gaz. X, 377 c/f Tavernier, in Harris, II, 360.].

In 1661 when Bombay was ceded to England the object was said to be that king Charles might be "better able to assist and protect the subjects of the king of Portugal in those parts from the power and invasion of the States of the united provinces ". But it does not appear that anything was ever done to carry this into effect, probably because when the English troops came to take possession, a dispute arose as to whether Salsette was or was not included in the cession [Nairne, 63. ].

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