Growth of Muslim Population in Medieval India, A.D. 1000–1800 c11.43

c11.43

Further north, Dabhul is described as being "one of the most populous and maritime cities". The Portuguese sacked it in 1509, but Barbosa, who probably arrived at Dabhul after this event, reports that it "is now peopled and as prosperous as before, and wealthy."³⁰ The Portuguese bring out clearly that before they arrived at Chaul, ships from Ormuz, Cambay, and Malabar traded there regularly. The city itself in the trading months "is like a fair."³¹ There are similar references about Thana (Tana) and other neighbouring places. Salsette island in 1568 had a population of 200,000. The Christian converts alone numbered 2,000.³²