Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 213.4

213.4

The historian remarks, “There were other articles in favour of the King, to sweeten the harshness of these, which were afterwards moderated, when he gave leave to raise the fort at Diu.” Faria-e-Souza, tome i. part iv. chap. v. The following chapter is occupied in giving an account of the history of Bahadur Shah, and of his war with Hoomayoon, which only serves to show how profoundly ignorant the Portuguese were of the interior state of India, and how little they were informed of events passing almost under their own observation. We know that Bahadur Shah, after having lost all his dominions with the exception only of the province of Sorut, came to Diu in the utmost distress; and there yielding to the importunities of the Portuguese, he gave them permission to build a factory on the island of Diu, which was constructed in the shape of a strong fort. In consideration of this cession the Portuguese afforded Bahadur Shah the aid of five hundred Europeans, of whom fifty “were of note.” This party attended the King on his return to Ahmudabad, when he succeeded in expelling the Moguls, and recovering his throne, which, the Portuguese historian remarks, was effected through their aid alone. It seems likely that the cession made by Bahadur Shah to the Portuguese was for the purpose of raising a mercantile factory; whereas the latter undoubtedly intended to build, as they in fact did, a formidable fortification.