Page 192 - PERSIAN 3 1883_1890

u ADMINrUTRATION REPORT OP THE PERSIAN GOLF POLITICAL

APPENDIX B TO PART II.

The Porlugxctc in Pattern Arabia, bj Lieutenant-Colonel 8. B. Milet.
It wa3 very early after Iho Portuguese liad commenced their career of conquest in the
East upon the discovery of the Cape route to India, that they turned th.cir attention to the
Persian Golf.
When Albuquerque returned from his first vopgc to India in • 1501, he advocated a
policy of conquest and aggression, and appears to have been tiic originator of that scheme of
extensive annexation and occupation of the Iudian seaboard which the King, Dom Manocl,
was eventually induced to adopt, and which Albuquerque himself was selected to carry out.
This scheme was not adopted without much opposition from Saldanha and others, who
propounded a more cautious plan for tho maintenance of the new commerce. The future policy
of the nation in the East was indeed hotly discussed at Lisbon, and the King’s decision was for
a long time doubtful.
There was one point, however, on which all parties were agreed, and that was the im­
portance of obstructing the old lines of commerce by the Arabian and Persian Gulfs, and
of securing tbe entire monopoly of the trade by diverting it to tbc new route; and to this
end immediate and determined efforts were resolved on.
In the year 1506 three fleets were despatched from Lisbon to the East, one of which
consisted of sixteen vessels under Tristan da Cunha with Alfouso d’AIluquerque as second
in command. Tho instructions given to do Cunha were to proceed to the Island of Socotra
and there construct a fort, which, while protecting the Christians supposed to inhabit that
island, should also serve- as a depot for the use of the fleets destined to oppose the Egypto-
Venclian confederacy and to blockade the Red Sea.
On the completion of tho fort, da Cuuba was to proceed to India with his share of the
fleet, leaving Albuquerque with a small squadron to attack Jeddah and Aden, and to obstruct
the Moorish trade.
Albuquerque had, no doubt, at once perceived the uselessness of Somlra for the purpose
intended, and was well aware that his flotilla was too small for him to attempt the capture of
Aden. As will be seen presently, therefore, he thought fit, after the departure of Tristan
da Cunha, to deviate somewiiat from his instructions, and sailed away to the north-cast, intent
upon the capture of Hormuz, then the chief emporium of commerce in the Persian Gulf.
It did not require the genius of an Albuquerque to perceive that tbe acquisition of this
island would, by giving him the entire command of the Persian Gulf route, be of greater
service to his King than the temporary blockade of tbe Red Sea and tbe bombardment, of
Jeddah.
Albuquerque’s expedition against Hormuz was only partially successful, owing to tbe
defection of some of his officers; but tbe importance o£ his achievement was fully recognised
at home, and be had toe satisfaction of returuiug and completing his work there before his
death.
It was on bis way to rednee tbe city of Hormuz, and with the avowed object of destroying
rival sources of trade, and leaving no hostile states in bis rear, that be paid bis attention to
Omau, and laid in reins the principal towns on that coast frorn.Kilhab to Kbor Faknn.
Some of these towns were sooner or later occupied and fortified, and with varying fortune
remained in possession of tbe Portuguese for about a century and a half, when their power
having greatly declined throughout the East, tbe Arabs were able at length to overcome them
and expel them from the country. Tbe history of this occupation is sketched in the followiug
narrative
A complete account of the Portuguese conquests in the East would perhaps form one of
the most instructive and entertaining chapters in the history of the world, but it has yet to be
written, though there is an extensive literature on the subject, and there must be rich
materials awaiting investigation in the archives of Lisbon, Goa, and Madrid. The native
annalists of Oman, as might be expected, maintain a discreet silence respecting the arrival
and conquestaof the inridels in their country; but some of the contests- that took place at a
later period, when tbe increasing feebleness of tbe Portuguese garrisons encouraged insurrection,
are frequently and exultingly recorded, os well as their final expulsion. In looking bock

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