Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 216.1

216.1

An Account of the mode in which the Portuguese obtained a footing in Diu by stratagem, and of the martyrdom of the King by the hands of the treacherous captain, or governor, of the Portuguese. “It is stated, that when Bahadur Shah was compelled to fly, owing to the unfortunate events which have been previously related, he came to the port of Diu. The Portuguese made offers of their assistance, and endeavoured to console him, saying, that the sea-ports along the coast were in their hands, and that they were prepared to afford an asylum to the King in any of them he might select for his residence. Bahadur Shah, owing to his distresses, received these offers with thankfulness. One day the Portuguese represented that their merchants, who were in the habit of trading to Diu, were obliged to find warehouses for their goods in separate remote parts of the town; they requested, therefore, that permission might be granted them to occupy a hide of land, on which they might construct an enclosure to contain and protect their goods. This request being acceded to, the King left Diu and proceeded to put down his enemies. The Portuguese, availing themselves of the King’s absence, cut the hide of a cow into strips, and measured out a spot equal to the length of the thongs, where they built a strong stone fortification, on which they placed guns, and occupied it with soldiers.