The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c7.s6.72

c7.s6.72

With regard to the other ports, Bassein was apparently the most important place after Chaul and Dábhol; it had a garrison of 3000 infantry and 500 cavalry in 1529, but afterwards in 1533, when the Musalmáns were to some extent prepared for the Portuguese, there were no less than 12,000 troops there. But more is said of the fertility and importance of the surrounding country than of the greatness of the town, the district which is called "one delicious garden" being the most productive in provisions and timber of all those belonging to Cambay. Many ships used to load there with timber and carry it to Mecca where the Turks used it for their fleets, and it was to exclude these as well as to strengthen themselves that the Portuguese took the place.⁶ Pyrard says that all the timber required at Goa for building houses and ships came from Bassein, and also a very good building stone like granite, of which all the churches and palaces at Goa were built.² Agáshi is spoken of as a large and rich place, but poor in buildings, with a trade in timber. It was defended when first attacked by 5000 infantry and 4000 cavalry; and, as showing the equality on which these places stood with Portugal in the art of ship-building, it must be mentioned that in 1540 an expedition went from Bassein against Agáshi with the sole object of getting possession of a great ship, which was just built there, and was then ready for launching. The ship was taken and afterwards made several voyages to Portugal.⁷ One of the Surat ships stopped by Sir H. Middleton on its voyage to the Red Sea in 1612 was 153 feet long 42 beam 31 deep, and said to be of 1500 tons burden.⁸ One of the Dábhol ships stopped at the same time was of 1200 tons. Similarly Faria y Souza explicitly states that the Portuguese found their enemies in India much better supplied with guns and powder than they were themselves.¹