Page 197 - PERSIAN 3 1883_1890

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RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1884-85.

Khor Fnkan is described by Albuqucrquo as being situate at the foot of a very high
mountain, and almost impregnable on the land side. It was a large town with many Bamdn
merchant*, and was a dependency of Hormuz. The climate was temperate and Healthy, and
there was extensivo cultivation of wheat and millet, with oranges, limes, dates, plantains, and
figs. The harbour was good, being protected by two small islets. Horses were extensively
exported hence to India and the interior belonged to Benjaber like tho other parts.
Khor Falcon was the last scene of Albuquerque’s exploits on the Omdn coast, and he
had as little compassion on this as on former places. The town was set on fire and destroyed*
and the conquistador, elated by bis victories, and confident in his strength, signalled to the fleet
and made his way direct to Hormuz.
The capture of Ilorrauz was the principal object of Albuquerque’s expedition as before
remarked, and bis operations and exploits here were characterised by the same distinguished
ability, valour, and success that bad marked his previous career. Owing, however, to the disaffec­
tion of his officers and the desertion of two of his ships, he was compelled to retire before the
finish had been put to his conquest by the completion of the fort which was to overawe the
town. He sailed away to Socotra, where his arrival was most opportune, for he found the garri-
son in great distress from famine and the enmity of the natives. He soon put affairs in order
there ; and his fleet having been increased by two ships that had arrived from Portugal to join
him, he weighed from Soko on the 15th of August 1503 to return to Hormuz, intending on the
way to reduce the city of Kilhat in retaliation for the assistance rendered by it to the King of
Hormuz, in violation of agreement, during the war. On anchoring off Kilhat, Albuquerque
sent bis- nephew Noronha in a boat to reconnoitre. Near the shore Noronha met an Arab
bringing presents from the Governor, on which he turned back and accompanied the man to the
flag-ship, where Albuquerque questioned the Arab as to the Governor’s name and the force at
his disposal. Having elicited the required information, Albuquerque despatched Norouba to
the shore again to see the Governor, Sbcrif-ul-Dm, and if possible to entice him on board
which Noronha endeavoured to do byre-presenting Albuquerque as an officer who had just arrived
from Portugal with reinforcements to support Albuquerque at Hormuz. Sberif-ul-Din was
polite, and offered the new commander a hospitable reception ou shore, if it pleased him to land*
but he was too wary to trust himself on board a Portuguese ship.
On his nephew’s return from his ineffective mission, Albuquerque made preparations to attack
the town, which is situated on a declivity under a high and steep cliff. The struggle for the
jjossiwsion of the place did not last long. The Persians, terror-stricken by the vigorous onslaught
the Portuguese, were driven iu confusion out of the town, and Sherif-ul-Din was obliged
to retire to the heights behind the city, from whence he watched the proceedings of the in­
vaders. Albuquerque, having posted guards on the gates and ramparts against surprise, gave the
place over to plunder, whereon the vigilant Shcrif-ul-Dm, after three days, seeing the Portuguese
dispersed intent on pillage, deemed it a fitting opportunity to attempt to regain the town. Fol­
lowed by 500 men, he accordingly made a descent from the hills, and tried to force one of the
gates. At first the guard posted there was driven back, but having speedily rallied the men,
closed with the Persians, and after a valiant tight, routed them before Albuquerque could come
to their assistance. After sacking the town and tran sporting on board all the provisions and
valuables be coaid collect, Albuquerque gave it to the flames, making a point of destroying the
famous Jnmi Masjid, to the great grief of the inhabitants. Albuquerque’s description of this
mosque accords with that of Ibn Batala, who bad visited the place about two hundred years
before, and from these accounts the edifice appears to have been a very fine specimen of Persian
architecture. It may be remarked here that no cut or squared stones are to be fonnd at the
present day among the ruins of Kilhat. The houses there, and doubtless this mosque also, were
built of limestone and coral. The destruction of it, however, has been so complete that no ves­
tige of it now remains to point out the spot where it stood.
Albuquerque here obtained important information from the Arab who hod brought off the
-presents from tho Governor Sherif-ul-Din, and who had until now been detained on board the
flag-ship, respecting the condition of affairs at Hormuz, and the man was dismissed with gift*.
He then gave orders to burn the Arab shipping in the creek, and after consultation with hit
officers rosolvcd to proceed at once with the expedition. The fleet accordingly sailed the follow*
ing day, and having watered atTey wee, where he anchored for two days, and which Albuqnerqos
represents as a port with a river near running between lofty hills and forming on the shore a
lake surrounded by palm trees, continued bis voyage up the gulf towards Hormus.
The first act in the drama thus terminated iu the destruction of Killmt, and a lull surooeded
the atormful visits of the couqaifltador, whose path along the Arab coast had been marked by
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