[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [General histories](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general) › [Tārīkh-i Firishta](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta) › [History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs) › 142 # Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 142: TOME I. PART I. CHAP. IV. History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 142 - **Language:** English ### [142](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.142) Vasco de Gama quits Lisbon on the 8th of July, with three small ships and one hundred and sixty men: he reaches St. George's island, near Mozambique, on the east coast of Africa, in south latitude 14° 30'; the chief of which is called Zacoeja (Shah Khwaja). Gama sails thence on the 11th of March, He reaches Melinda on the same coast, where he finds several Guzerat merchants. Obtains a Guzerat pilot, named Melemo Cana, Maalim Khan (literally Mr. Pilot), who appears quite familiar with the astrolabe, and seems to consider that used on board of Vasco de Gama's ship a very imperfect instrument. Vasco de Gama reaches Calicut, which he finds in possession of a Hindoo king called Zamori. Meets with a European Mahomedan, Monzayde (Meean Zeid), who speaks Spanish, and becomes Vasco de Gama's interpreter. Several Mahomedan merchants are settled at Calicut, carrying on an extensive trade with Europe, through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Persia. The governor of the Mahomedans is called Kotwal. Gama finds also several Christians at Calicut. The Mahomedans become jealous of Vasco de Gama, and they induce the King (Zamori) to detain seven Portuguese. Vasco de Gama, unable to procure their release, retaliates by seizing twenty Indian fishermen, and accompanied by his interpreter, Meean Zeid, returns to Portugal, having lost one hundred and five men out of one hundred and sixty, during an absence of twenty-six months. On the eighth of March, Vasco de Gama quits Lisbon a second time, with a fleet consisting of thirteen sail, containing twelve hundred men, including eight Franciscan friars, eight chaplains, and one chaplain major. "The substance of whose instructions was, to begin by preaching, and if that failed, to proceed to the decision of the sword." Vasco de Gama reaches Melinda on the 2d of August; and having obtained two Guzerat pilots there, he proceeds to Calicut, which he reaches on the 17th of September. An exchange of prisoners and hostages takes place between Vasco de Gama and the Zamori. The latter gives up six bramins named by the former. The Mahomedan merchants from Mecca oppose the trade of the Portuguese. The Mahomedans induce the Portuguese to attack an Indian vessel, having elephants on board, proceeding from Ceylon to Guzerat. The Guzerat vessel bears down on the Portuguese, and fires several guns at them, and proceeds to Cananore. The Portuguese attack and cut out the Guzerat vessel, but subsequently deliver it over to the King of Cochin. At Cranganore the Portuguese find several Christians under an Armenian bishop. Vasco de Gama returns to Portugal. In March, John de Nova sails from Lisbon with four ships. Discovers the uninhabited island of St. Helena. Vasco de Gama again proceeds to India with twenty ships. The fleet falls in with the Meri, a large ship belonging to the Sooltan of Egypt, on board of which are two hundred and eighty persons, many of whom are pilgrims for Mecca. The Mahomedans refuse to allow the Portuguese fleet to take possession of the vessel, and make a desperate resistance, in which every person on board is put to death, with the exception only of twenty children, who are subsequently baptized. Vasco de Gama reaches India, and receives a deputation from the Christians of Cranganore, whose numbers amount to thirty thousand souls, and are subject to the patriarch of Armenia. Vasco de Gama, with ten ships, encounters twenty-nine Calicut vessels. The Indians use fire-ships. Two of the Indian vessels are taken ; one containing an idol of gold, studded with jewels, weighing thirty pounds. Vasco de Gama returns to Lisbon with part of his fleet. - [Previous: 141](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.141) - [Next: 143](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.143) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.142](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-firishta~en-briggs.142) · Pramāṇa