The Portugues Asia, or, The history of the discovery and conquest of India by the Portugues containing all their discoveries from the coast of Africk, to the farthest parts of China and Japan, all their battels by sea and land, sieges and other memorable actions, a description of those countries, and many particulars of the religion, government and customs of the natives, &c. : in three tomes / written in Spanish by Manuel de Faria y Sousa ... ; translated into English by Cap. John Stevens.

CHAP. VII.

Continues the Government of Nuno de Cuna, the same Year 1536, in the Reign of King John the Third.

1. WE have already related how the Empire of Decan by the death of Mahomet Xiath, was divided into seven parts, by as many Governors who set them∣selves up as Kings, and warring among themselves were reduced to five. The first and chief of these was Hidalcam, whose Territories lie from North to South along the Sea Coast from the River Domel, eight Leagues off Dabul, to Cintacola, eleven be∣low Goa, and has sixty Leagues in length, and fifty in breadth where largest. On the North it borders upon Nizamaluco, on the South upon Canara, and part of Nar∣singa, and on the East upon Madremaluco,

Melique Verido, and Cotamaluco, which make the five into which that Crown was divided. Cotamaluco and Verido were at war because the former reflected upon the latter, as dis∣loyal to the dead King, as if either of them were innocent. Cota came off with loss.

2. Hidalcam upon such like occasion took Arms against Cotamaluco, who was then at Golconda, a City almost impregnable, being seated upon an inaccessible mountain, well fortified and garrisoned. Hidalcan set down before it with one hundred thousand Horse, and four hundred thousand Foot. Cota, not without reason, was apprehen∣sive of this danger, but reposed great confi∣dence in twelve Portugueses he had with him. The Enemy the first Attacks lost twenty thousand Men, and afterwards an hundred thousand, as well by Famine as Sword, for Catamaluco cut off all his Provi∣sions, and such parties as went out for them, and of what he took he sent ten thousand to Hidalcan without Ears or Noses, bidding him put upon them those of his Men he had served so the last War. The Sorrow for, these Misfortunes caused his Death, whence sprang Wars between his Sons. These were Mulacam, who was received as Heir, and Abraham, who could not brook his being owned as such, and being en∣couraged by Cotamaluco and others, disturb∣ed the common Peace, and was at last himself taken prisoner.

3. Cotamaluco set upon Mulacham as he was carrying his Father to bury him, but

was forced to fly to the Woods. Mean while Abraman escaped out of prison, and by the assistance of Nizamaluco possessed himself of the Kingdom, and took his Brother Mulac•…•…am whom his Army infamously de∣livered up at Bisapo•…•….

Açadacam set out with a good Army to rescue Malucam. But Melique Cuf, in whose custody he was, cruelly put out his Eyes, and delivered him and his Trea∣sure to Abraham. He desiring to appease Açadacam, made him great Offers, which were all rejected; Açadacam encamped within five Leagues of him, and sent a Messenger to him, whose Name was Caçem; this Man Abraham prevailed with to un∣dertake to murder his Master, which Açada∣cam discovering, caused him to be stabbed before he approached him.

5. Açadacam endeavoured to alienate the Hearts of the great ones from Abraham, but was not altogether so successful as he wished. In fine, Cogerte Cham, who at his instigation acted in the same manner, was obliged to fly for relief to Nizamaluco, in whom he sound his Ruin, being robbed by him, and brought to such misery, he resolved to retire to Mecha, but passing through Dabul, he accepted the Offer of Protection made him by Simon Guedez▪ then commanding there, till Nuno de Cuna re∣ceived him at Diu, and obtained of King Badur to entertain him according to his Quality, where after he became one of the chief Generals of Cambaya.

6. The new Hidalcan (I mean Abraham, for those Princes, when they come to the Crown, all take this Title) was perplexed with the Proceedings of Açadacam, and endeavoured to reconcile him. Açada∣cam's Forces at this time ravaged all the Continent about Goa, and Hidalcan made fresh Instances to bring him to his Court, but to no effect. Mean while the desola∣tion of that Country was such, that the Natives freely offered it up to Nuno de Cuna, he, after conferring about it with Açada∣cam, accepted the Offer to deliver that Country from utter Ruin.

7. Açadacam was a Mahometan as well in his Dealing, as Belief. The more to perplex Hidalcam, he goes into the Ser∣vice of the King of Bisuagar, who received him with great honor. Nuno de Cuna was not exempted from his Frauds; therefore to carry on his Designs, he persuaded him to send Christopher de Figueredo, promising to prevail with the King of Bisnagar to resign to the King of Portugal the Continent a∣bout Goa, to which he had an ancient Title. Hidalcan being informed of these Proceedings encamped near him of Bisnagar with four hundred thousand Men, and 700 Elephants, the other had a 1000 Elephants more, and some thousands of Men. He sent to let him know, that according to former Agreements, he ought to deliver up to him his Slave Açadacam. The King of Bisnagar referred it to Açadacam himself to give the Answer, and he gave it such as deceived,

and at the same time was approved of.

8. But the King was soon undeceived; for Açadacam, who had done all this only to better his Fortunes, now went over to Hidalcam, when least he expected it. Co∣tamaluco, who had joined Hidalcan, to op∣pose Açadacam, seeing him received with great honor, goes over to the King of Bis∣nagar, who was marching to besiege the City Rachol, which he had before taken, and had again submitted to Hidalcam. At last these Princes came to a Composition, parting the Territory of that City, which fell to the Lot of Hidalcam. Açadacam, by order of his Master, marched after Co∣tamaluco to the City Naiteguir taken by him, and recovered it, and obliging him to put himself into Hidalcam's Power, with a Grand daughter he had offered him to Wife. The Wedding reconciled all this Discord.

9. King Badur pretended by an ancient Custom of Indostan to have the power of giving the Title of King. He sent the Royal Ensigns to Hidalcam, desiring he should acknowledge him as his Predecessors had done: but Hidalcam accepted his Friend∣ship, and rejected the Title. Badur's inten∣tion was to secure Hidalcam against the Portugueses, to whom he owed the Reco∣vering of his Crown▪ Açadacam, being suspicious of Hidalcam, endeavoured to be far from him, and to this end prevailed with Cotamaluco to return home and declare war. Hidalcam discovered the Author of

this Discord, and would have killed him, but the Design being disclosed, Azadacam threw himself at his Feet with two hundred thousand Pardaos of Gold, begging pardon, tho he said he had done nothing to ask par∣don for. Thus he bought his Life, and Hidalcam sold his safety. Such is the power of Gifts, even over those who can give greater.

10. Hidalcam now bent his thoughts upon recovering the Lands about Goa. Açadacam, who had been the cause that Nuno de Cuna took them, now was the promoter of his Master's demanding them. Nuno referred the Answer to Diu, whither he was going, being sent for by King Badur, at his arrival almost despoiled of his Crown. They ex∣pected no answer, but suddenly Solyman Aga invaded those Lands with almost six thousand Men. They began to hinder the carrying Provisions to Goa. D. Iohn Perey∣ra, who then commanded, sent to adver∣tise Solymam of the Injustice of his Under∣taking, but he gave no ear to it, and killed some Portugueses not without receiving con∣siderable damage. He besieged Christopher de Figueredo in the Fort of Mandor, to whose relief came Iordan de Freytas, with some Men, sent by D. Iohn, so the Turk raised the Siege, and fled as far as Margam.

11. Don Iohn marched at the heels of Freitas, and being at Ma•…•…dor, the Aga sent him word, he came not to make war, but to receive the Rents of those Lands: the Answer was, That he should march off

within an hour and half. Don Iohn fol∣lowed the Messenger to force the Turk, in case he obeyed not, but finding he did, re∣tired.

12. Solyman halted at Ponda, from whence he made fresh Instances to D. Iohn to resign those Lands to Hidalcan. He an∣swered, he acknowledged him not as his Minister, and prepared for War. He built the Fort of Rachol, where some Blood was spilt, Solyman endeavouring to obstruct it, who lost three thousand Men about Bailim and Singuizar, slain by the Gentils, assisted by two hundred Portugueses. Iordan de Freytas, with fifty Men, routed the Turk Sarnabose, sent by Solyman with five hun∣dred. Emanuel Vasconcelos razed a Bulwark the Enemy was making in the Pass of Borii, and burnt some Houses. Solyman advan∣ces as far as Margam. Pereyra went to meet him with five hundred Portugueses, and seven hundred Canaras The Fight began, the Canaras and some Portugueses gave way, terrified with strange Fire-works made by a Witch, who in Man's Cloaths sought to revenge the Death of her Husband. Perey∣ra seeing this Disorder, advanced, crying out, Let who will follow me, for I hope with the help of God to overcome the Enemy. All following his Example, Solyman quitted the Field, having lost eight hundred Men, on our side not one was killed. The Booty was considerable.

13. Mean while Açadacam attempted to recover these same Lands, but met no great

success, for Hidalcam endeavoured thus to divert him, while he gained his City of Bilgam, where his Riches lay. At length they agreed, and Açadacam designed again to attempt the Dependences of Goa. He proceeded not with Vigor, being conscious, Nuno had by his advice possessed himself of them, and because he had lately received a Message from him after his Return from Diu. Yet in conclusion he marched as far as Ponda with twenty thousand Men.

14. From that place he sent a Letter of Hidalcam to Cuna, demanding those Lands. The Answer was, He held them by consent of Açadacam, that if he desired war the Portugueses were not backward, and that he could not restore them, or raze the Fort of Rachol without his King's Consent. Aça∣dacam fearing his Master would take his City, acted not much on this side. So there happened no considerable Action.

15. Now the Answer of Hidalcam was brought, containing, That since Açadacam was the Cause of his taking those Lands, he would stand by what should be agreed between them. Both cove•…•…ing the same thing for themselves, they came to no a∣greement. Cuna relieved Vasco Fernandez who was in some distress, and they put the Enemy to flight. Hearing the Enemy ap∣peared now in greater Numbers, he sent Don Iohn Pereyra with one hundred and thirty Horse, six hundred Portugues Foot, and one thousand Canaras, commanded by Crisna, an honest Pagan. They found the Enemy

at the Foot of a Mountain, and attacked them with such Vigor, they presently fled, their Commander and many more were slain, on our side only four.

16. Açadacam, after these Losses, desired a Conference with Nuno de Cuna, but it suc∣ceeded not, so the Inroads were continued chiefly about Rachol, where our Cannon killed some. Winter expiring, Nuno began to act more vigorously. He sent Antony de Silveyra to the Continent with two hundred Canara Horse, and seventeen hundred Por∣tugues Foot. Antony went three Leagues up the Country, making great havock, and killing three hundred Moors, and two con∣siderable Officers, with loss of eight Portu∣gueses. Mean while Gonzalo Vaz Coutinho destroyed the Coast of Dabul, and thence brought to Goa many Vessels taken, and three hundred Prisoners, and abundance of Provisions, which encreased the Joy of the other Victories, and relieved the City di∣stressed for want.

17. The Clamours of that ruined People, and a Letter from Nuno de Cuna coming to Hidalcan, he ordered Açadacam to desist. He obeyed not, but to justifie his refusal, sent him a Present of a stately Horse and Cymiter, set with Jewels. Hidalcan going to take off a piece of Silk, in which the Cymiter was wrapped, was hindered by his Mother, who caused a Page to unfold it, he instantly fell down dead, as did two Men who were ordered to mount the Horse, Such was the Poison the Present

carried. Then the Queen looking upon her Son, said, Behold your Father's Murderer. For it was believed he had been poisoned. The Governor perceiving that Açadacam did not desist, sent Gonzalo Vaz Coutino with thirty Vessels and three hundred Men, half Canaras, who burnt the Town of Ponda, and many Ships, and returned with three hundred Prisoners. Azadacam in a rage marched towards Rachol, and opposite to it began to erect a Fort called Bori, to ob∣struct our Sailing up the River of that Name; and notwithstanding our oppo∣sition, put it into such condition, it appear∣ed formidable. Nuno de Cuna sent a fresh Supply to hinder this Work, and they as∣saulting it with more courage than con∣duct, four hundred of them were slain, and forty taken, whereof one appearing naked before Açadacam, he took off part of his own Garment to cover him, saying, The Portugueses were not to be so used. This Loss caused the demolishing the Fort of Rachol, which the Governor ordered Peter de Faria to execute. Nuno de Cuna's pre∣sence was required at Diu, and he fearing to leave Goa in danger, concluded a Peace with Açadacam. This was rather a Truce than Peace, for neither desisted from his pretensions, unless Açadacam did by going away from Ponda.

18. Whilst these things were in agitation at Goa, the King of Calicut marched to Cranganor, upon pretence of visiting those parts, as their Emperor, but in reality to

destroy the Portugueses, induced thereto by King Badur. Thence he designed to pass to Vaipaim, which being suspicious, Peter Vaz commanding at Cochin, endeavoured to pre∣vent, striving withall to avoid affronting him, or being faulty in his Duty. Having made provision by Sea and Land, he desired the King to desist from that Design. The King gave no ear to him, but sent many Ships to clear the Passage: but they failed, above a thousand of their Men being slain, and much damage received by Vincent de Fonseca's Artillery, which guarded that Pass, many more flying with precipitation, were drowned. This happened near the Churches of S. Thomas and S. Iames, which they endeavoured to burn, but could not compass. The Passes were valiantly de∣fended all the Winter.

19. On the nineteenth of September, Martin Alfonso de Sousa set out of Goa with one hundred and fifty Men in fifteen Ves∣els, and passing by Calamute, two thousand Nayres would have kept him in, whereof he killed many, dispersed the rest, burnt their Town, and took seven Barques. He arrived at Cochin, where were five Ships newly come from Portugal. The King of Calicut understanding Martin Alfonso was coming to meet him with almost a thou∣sand Men drew off. Martin Alfonso now bent his Force against the King of Repelim, who had offended him of Cochin. Antony de Brito who had led the Van, met a vigo∣rous opposition at this Island, till Martin

coming up they fled, who maintained the Outworks. The King retired to his City, in which were six thousand fighting Men. Next day Sousa attacked it, after some re∣sistance the King and all the Defendants fled. As Sousa entered a Mosque, he had like to be killed by a Moor, but receiving the Stroke on his Buckler, he run the Moor through with a Javelin. This Victory cost us fourteen Men, the City was plundered and reduced to Ashes. The principal part of the Booty that fell to the King of Cochin, on whose account this Action was under∣taken, was a piece of Marble, by him high∣ly valued, because on it were carved the Names of the Kings of Malabar for three thousand years past, which was taken from him by the King of Repelim; some Brass Plates with Serpents engraved on them, e∣steemed a great Relick by the conquered King; and his Hat lost in the flight, which among them is the greatest Disgrace to the Conquered, and highest Glory to the Victor.

20. The King of Calicut returns with for∣ty thousand Men to attempt the Pass of Cambalam. Martin Alfonso posts Francis de Barros de Payra to keep the Pass of Cranga∣nor with three Vessels, which proved of great use; he himself goes to the other, and landing, sees five thousand of the King's Men attempt to pass the Ford. Our Men began to fear, but he encouraging them, boldly falls on, and killing three hundred of the Enemy, made them turn

their Backs. Zamori comes up with the Gross of his Army, attempts the Ford, and is repulsed with equal loss. Now the Prince of Cochin joins us with twenty thousand Nayres. Martin Alfonso leaves Antony de Bri∣to with them, and four hundred Portugueses, who in the space of twenty days fought six Battels with the King of Calicut, wherein he made such havock as obliged him to draw off with great Loss, and greater Shame.

21. The Reason why Martin Alfonso left that Post, was because, like a watchful Commander, he was at once in two places by his Vigilance, here in Body, and in Thought at Sea, where now appeared a powerful Fleet of Calicut. He therefore seeing the Valour of Brito, and the assi∣stance of those Nayres, left him to com∣mand there, and put to Sea with three hundred Portugueses in eleven Ships. At Chale he met Iames Reynoso with five Ves∣sels, Cutiale, Admiral of Calicut, had taken one from him, he took Reynoso with him. He went in search of Cutiale, and found him with twenty five Vessels, and in them fifteen hundred Men, some of our Vessels impatient of delay, advanced before the rest, and forced him to retire to Tiracole, whither Martin Alfonso pursuing, the Fight lasted till night with great slaughter of the Enemy, who fortified themselves, and in the morning appeared six thousand strong, having flocked from all the Neighbour∣hood. Just at this time came an Express

from the King of Cochin, desiring Martin Alfonso to return with all speed, because the King of Calicut knowing he was absent was coming down with a fresh Power This Advice diverted any farther Action He returned, and the King of Calicut who came on, because he was absent, retired as soon as he knew he was present. So great is the Force of Conceit.

22. Mean while Madune Pandar, King of Ceitavaca, besieged his Brother of Cota, with a Fleet by Sea. Nuno Freyre de Andrade, in defence of the latter went to Columbo to meet the other with only eight Portugueses, and six hundred Natives, where he killed many, and took four Paraos, with good Ar∣tillery. Madune demanded Aid of Zamori, he sent him two thousand Men. With this Assistance he besieged the City of Cota for the Term of three Months. Knowing then that Martin Alfonso was coming to his Bro∣ther's Relief, who had desired it as a Sub∣ject of Portugal, he raised the Siege. When Martin came, Madune was drawn off, and reconciled to his Brother. There being no∣thing left for Martin Alfonso to do here, ha∣ving visited the King, who was most thankful for the speedy Succour, he set out in search of the Malabar Fleet, which had assisted Madune, and met it at Mangalor, where after a sharp Encounter it was defeated, and twelve hundred Moors slain.