Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 152: TOME I. PART II, CHAP. VII.

152

1511. Albuquerque proceeds to the eastern archipelago. Is opposed at Malacca by a people using cannon, who defend their streets by mining with gunpowder. At sea he finds them employing floats of wildfire, and many of the implements of modern warfare. On the island of Java, the King, Mahomed, had brought "three thousand guns to bear, out of eight thousand he had to rely on." Albuquerque returns to Goa, which he finds besieged by the troops of the King of Beejapoor. The latter are repulsed. Twenty ships, manned by one thousand seven hundred Portuguese, and eight hundred Canaras and Malabars, proceed to Aden, and capture thirty-seven pieces of cannon. Albuquerque anchors off Diu in the month of August, and obtains permission from the governor, Mullik Eiaz, to establish a mercantile factory.