The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume X, No. 6 [‎113r] (78/186)

ANCIENT TRADING CENTRES OF THE PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
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were also burnt; and then Alboquerque ordered them to cut off the noses and ears
•of all the Moors whom they had captured, and left them on the shore and returned
on board, ‘'giving many thanks to our Lord." They then apparently proceeded
to Maskat. Faria y Souza * says Calayate was burned “ to be revenged for some
injuries done to some Portuguese.” Alboquerque also touched at Maskat, on his
way to Hormuz, in 1815.
In 1522 f a concerted rising took place simultaneously at Hormuz, Bahrain,
Maskat, Karyat, and Sahar. Many Portuguese were killed; the number is given
as one hundred and twenty. It was, however, suppressed, and Sahar destroyed
with “ fire and sword ” by Dora Luis de Menezes, who was sent from Maskat with
two ships to relieve Hormuz, then closely besieged. In 1526, Lope Yaz de
Sampayo, on his way to Hormuz with live ships, reduced the “ towns of Calayate
and Muscate, which had revolted; ” but no particulars are given. In 1550-51
•“ the great Turk,” being offended at the proceedings of the Portuguese, fitted out
a naval expedition f consisting of sixteen thousand men, in “ strong galleys” and
other vessels, under the command of Pirbec (Pir Beg), who is described by our
author as an “old pirate,” but who was apparently the Turkish admiral, who
attacked and took Maskat after a siege of a month; and, having failed in his
siege of Hormuz fort, was beheaded after his return. He did not attempt to
hold Maskat permanently, but sacked the place and removed all the ordnance.
The garrison were made to work in the galleys, but were mostly released at
Hormuz.
In 1581 § another Turkish expedition under Alibec (AH Beg), “a Turk used
to robbing,” consisting of three galleys, was fitted out at Mocha, and surprised
Maskat. He landed his main force at Siabo,|| while “the galleys entered the port
with those that remained, and began to ‘ play ’ their cannon furiously, so that he
might come in on their backs ; which succeeded, and he entered and plundered the
town.” His land force advanced through the narrow pass from Sudab to Maskat,
“ so narrow that two men cannot pass it abreast; no one imagining he would
attempt it.” The Portuguese fled to Matero (Matrah), a town a league distant,
and, not thinking themselves safe there, went to Bruxel,! a fort 4 leagues
inland. They returned to Maskat after the departure of the Turks.
It was in 1588, according to the old inscription referred to already, that the
fortress now called Merani was completed, which strengthened the hold of the
Portuguese on the place and country. Sahar, which had been taken and burnt by
the Portuguese in 1522 (see ante), appears to have revived, for in 1616 its trade
“much lessened the customs of Ormus and Mascate;” and an expedition was
despatched from Maskat, which, with the aid of twelve hundred Arab auxiliaries,
took and plundered the place, and left a garrison in the fort. It was retaken by
the Imam in 1643.
After the loss of Hormuz in 1622, Maskat became the most important place
held by the Portuguese, and was the headquarters of their fleet. * * * §
* ‘The Portugues Asia.’ Translated by Captain Jno. Stevens. InSvols. London:
Printed for C. Brown, 1695, at the Sign of the Gun, at the west end of St. Paul’s,
t ‘ Manuel de Faria y Souza,’ ante.
$ This expedition came from Egypt. Colonel Miles (qp. cit.) calls him Pir Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ,
and says he was Capudan of Egypt, and that the expedition consisted of thirty sail.
§ Faria y Souza, op. cit.
H This must be Sudab, which answers to the description in the chronicle.
This may be Bosher, a place visited by the author in December, 1859 (Trans.
Bombay Geog. Soc., vol. xv.).