Page 194 - PERSIAN 3 1883_1890

26 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OP THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL

Passing Soor, which is described as a small fishing village, (he fleet, sailing close and
followed by a large concourse of people along (he shore, next arrived at the city 0f Kllhat
where Albuquerque ordered his ships to come to an anchor with as much noise and display ns
could be modo.
This was the first appearance of Europeans in ships in the Gulf of Om<in since (he days of
Alexander, eighteen centuries before. And from Urn ready submission of the people of Kilhat
the appearance of the fleet seems to have been viewed with no little terror and dismay, the
Persians hero having doubtless heard of the proceedings of the Portuguese on the Indian coast
and of their warlike character and superiority.
At the time of these events the Arab Prince in power in Omdn was the Imnra Muham-
mad-bin-Ismail-el-Ismaili, who was elected in A.H. 906 (A.D. 1500) and died in A.H. 942
(A.D. 1535). Ilis capital was el Rostak, where he usually resided. Hj held sway, however
only over the interior portion of the country, the coast line being still, as it had been since
A.D. 1270, subject to the Persian King of Ilormuz, whose chief Governor was at Kilhat.
No communication was held the first day with the city, but on the following morning a
boat was sent on shore with two officers and an interpreter, who were civilly received, and were
informed that the town belonged to the kingdom of Hormuz, and that anything required for
the fleet would be willingly supplied.
On the next day, further communications took place between the Governor and Albuquerque,
to whom a present of fruit, &c., was sent on board by the former. The present, however, was
not accepted by Albuquerque, who required the unconditional submission of the town and the
transfer of allegiance to the King of Portugal.
'The Governor being unprepared for resistance resolved to temporise, and humbly depre­
cating the opening of hostilities and the destruction of the town, besought Albuquerque to pro­
ceed to Hormuz and make terms with the KiDg, promising that whether peace or war might
result there, Kilbat would nevertheless yield subjection to the King of Portugal. This evasive
reply was fully understood by Albuquerque; but as he was in urgent need of provisions he took
the advice of his officers and accepted the position until a more convenient opportunity. Before
leaving, Albuquerque gave a written guarantee of safety from attack by other Portuguese ships
in the name of the King Dom Manoel to the Governor, but he did not scruple to make prize
of an Aden dow of 200 tons lying in the harbour which was held to ransom.
On Sunday, the 22nd August, Albuquerque weighed from Kilhat and sailed for Teywee,
which he had supposed to be a large port, but finding it merely a watering place he passed on to
Kooriyah, where he anchored for the night. The next day no boat came off from the shore,
and it was seen that the inhabitants had prepared for resistance. Albuquerque accordingly
reconnoitred the place in his boat and arranged bis plan of attack for the following morning.
It was ascertained that the Arabs had two batteries, ou one of which they had mounted four
mortars, and the attack was consequently concentrated on these points. The struggle was long
and severe, but the natives were ultimately driven out of their defences and pursued balf
a league by the Portuguese, who slaughtered indiscriminately all the men, women, and children
they could reach. Some prisoners taken in the town had their ear* and noses lopped off to
signalise the victory, and Kooriyah was plundered and set on firi. Twenty-five firelocks,
besides spears, bows and arrows, &c., were captured, and 38 vessels, large and small, lying in
the port, were burnt.
Muscat, the next scene of destruction, was reached in four days after leaving Kooriynh,
and was found to be a very formidable and well-fortified place. It is also described as being
the principal port on that coa3t. The inhabitants had heard of the fate of Kooriyab, and were
disinclined to expose their city to a similar catastrophe; they therefore did not wait for a
summons to surrender, but immediately on the arrival of the fleet 6ent off two of their chief men
to Albuquerque, offering submission to the King of Portugal, and promising to agree to any
terms that might be demanded.
Albuquerque, finding they were unprovided with written power to treat from the Governor,
sent them on shore again, desiring them to re»urn on board the following day. In the xnean-
time he sounded the harbour and reconnoitred the fortifications. It was found tkutthe ™
had constructed a rampart of wood and earth from hill to hill above the beach in ron o e
town and had mounted thoreon a number of mortars. On the two Sheikhs visiting n-
querque next day, they were informed that they were required to pay an annual tn uta a
furnish bis fleet with supplies and water during the operations against Hormuz. Comp ianc«
with the requisition for provisions was made at once; but during the nigbt the inha itanta wore

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