Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 349.4

349.4

In the year 904, four vessels belonging to the King of Portugal arrived at the ports of Calicut and Koilad; when, having made observations on the nature of the country and its inhabitants, they returned to Portugal. On the following year six vessels arrived; and the Portuguese endeavoured to persuade the Raja of Calicut to shut his ports against the traders from Arabia, telling him that by such a measure the Indians would gain more advantage than by carrying on a small traffic annually by the Red Sea; but Samiry not consenting to this proposal, the Portuguese declared war against the Arabs, and attacked their vessels; which so incensed the Raja, that he ordered several of the Portuguese then on shore to be attacked, and seventy were killed. The rest made their escape to their ships, and took refuge with the Raja of Cochin, an enemy of Samiry. The Cochin chief permitted the Portuguese to build a fortified factory at that place; they also destroyed a mosque, and built a chapel in its stead, which was the first building erected by Europeans in India. From Cochin they sailed to Cananore, where they also made friends with the Raja; and having built a fort, established a factory there; and while they transported pepper and ginger to Europe, they prevented any other vessels from doing so also. Samiry, hearing of these proceedings, attacked the Raja of Cochin;