The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c13.205

v1.c13.205

Accordingly at the end of June of the year 1553, the Muslim fleet took up a position in front of the Coromandel Coast; it was composed of some galleons and forty sloops. A small village called Mugel, formed just a year before, was the first to be attacked; twenty fishing boats and many Paravas were captured. From there they went straight to Punny Kayal; and on the first of May five hundred Muhammadan soldiers landed on the shore but were valiantly repulsed by the fifty soldiers of the place. The standard-bearer, one Antonio Franco de Gusmao, attacked the standard-bearer of the Muhammadans, an Abyssinian soldier, and after capturing his standard killed him on the spot. On seeing the defeat of his detachment the Muslim chief who was on board his galleon came with reinforcements. But the Portuguese soldiers considered themselves unable to resist the horde of Muhammadan combatants who numbered fifteen hundred. Almost all the Portuguese retreated. But Manoel Rodriguez Coutinho, their captain, left alone with seventeen of his men, stood where he was till he was convinced by his men that he ought to retreat to the town, where behind the brick walls of the fort they could better resist the attack of the enemies. They did so; but on reaching the town, were all captured by the soldiers of Vitthala, while the Muhammadans took possession of the town itself together with the fort. Irapali issued a proclamation to all the inhabitants of the Coromandel Coast announcing the end of the Portuguese rule, and inviting all to become the disciples of the Prophet unless they prefered to feel the edge of the Muhammadan sword.