2017-02-03 Fri

Battle of Diu is one of the engaging chapters of History of Medieval India. Fought on 3rd February 1509, the battle of Diu was a futile attempt to root out the Portuguese domination on trade.

This battle was fought between the Portuguese against the collective force of the Sultan of Gujarat, the Mamlûk Burji Sultanate of Egypt, the Zamorin of Calicut with the support of Ottomans, the Republic of Venice and the Republic of Ragusa.

The Gujarat Sultanate was an essential intermediary in east–west trade, between the Red Sea, Egypt and Malacca. The presence of the Portuguese Navy in the Indian Ocean affected the trade relations with India and Rome and Egypt. Hence, in order to strengthen their hold over the sea route, Gujrat Sultanate asked help of the above-mentioned nations.

The Portuguese had eighteen ships as opposed to the Allied side which had one hundred ships; the Portuguese were better equipped and well strategized. The Portuguese started the battle with a massive naval bombardment using their onboard artillery, followed by hand-to-hand combat in the harbour of Diu.

The Portuguese victory was obvious easing the Portuguese strategy of controlling the Indian Ocean to route trade down the Cape of Good Hope. This splendid victory gave the Portuguese the absolute dominance of the trade.

To know about the coins of Gujrat Sultanate Click here