The Holy Sail (27 page)

The locals spotted the huge ships and left everything they were doing. They came to the coast to check them out more closely, but when they saw the red cross on their sails they ran away and vanished. A while later, horsemen and
camel cavalries singing battle chants appeared, waving their weapons for the Portuguese to see them.

Albuquerque did not delay. He ordered his ships to open fire at the village, and within hours it was turned to rubble. Some of its inhabitants were able to escape to the mountains. At nightfall, Albuquerque ordered his soldiers to check the village and loot it, and sat on the shore waiting for his commanders to report back.

Miguel brought an elderly man as a prisoner. He carefully held a book wrapped in a rolled cloth. ‘My lord, I found this old man at his home. He asked the soldiers to let him speak to you as they were about to kill him, saying he had a gift for you.'

Albuquerque looked at the elderly man in contempt, wondering what gift he might possibly have for him.

‘This book is my most precious possession. I have decided to give it to you as a gift.'

Miguel took the book from the man and gave it to Albuquerque, who started leafing through it. He could not read it. ‘What is this? Go on, ask him. What's the book?'

The old man replied quietly, ‘It is a book about Alexander the Great. When I saw you, I saw that man in you. You are both great conquerors who invaded faraway countries.'

‘What is your city called?'

‘Its name is Khor Fakkan.' The man looked at his devastated city with horror, and corrected himself. ‘Its name
was
Khor Fakkan!'

Albuquerque asked his lieutenant, ‘Is he saying it is called
Gorfacan
?'

‘Yes, my lord.'

‘And is he really saying I am like Alexander the Great? Give him food and water and let him go!' Albuquerque took another look at the book. ‘You must translate this for me immediately, Miguel!'

 

–
 
23
 
–

India

Hussein's ships arrived in Diu. Located on a peninsular headland on the northwestern coast of India, the port looked more like a military fort. The fortifications were formidable. Soldiers patrolled the length of the wall running alongside the port. Coloured signalling flags and pennants were being waved in different patterns from the tops of the towers, suggesting updates were being sent around the clock. Military ships scoured the bays surrounding the port, inspecting incoming ships to prevent Portuguese spies from entering the city.

Hussein saw all this movement from the top of his ship. He knew that he had finally arrived in a city that had declared war on the Portuguese and was prepared for all contingencies. He was pleased, because what he needed most was a military base rather than a trading post.

Si
al-Tayeb approached Hussein after he saw his sharp interest in the city. He wanted to brief him a little about the king he was going to meet in Diu. They kept their eyes focused on the city and its port as they spoke.
Si
al-Tayeb had many insights about India that he had gained throughout the years, and wanted to share them with Hussein.

‘Malik Ayaz is one of the few kings who declared war against the invaders and did not accept their presence in India. He clashed with them several times when they were exploring the coast, but they left him alone once they were
welcomed by other kings to the south of here, where the land is more fertile and trade is more profitable.'

Hussein's gaze remained fixed on the flags on the tower tops, as he tried to decipher what they meant. He was impressed by the skilled soldiers sending messages in this manner.

Si
al-Tayeb continued speaking, while pointing at the flags. ‘I think they are relaying the news of your arrival, Hussein Pasha. This is good news for Malik Ayaz and the people of this city. They feel they are alone against the Portuguese. Ever since they wrote to Sultan al-Ghawri in Egypt and the Jabrid sultan in East Arabia, they have been waiting for help to come. I have never been to this city, but Qasimul Haq has good relations with Malik Ayaz. This is why he asked you to visit Diu; he is confident the two of you will forge a formidable alliance that can ultimately repel the Portuguese invasion.'

Si
al-Tayeb paused for a moment, carefully weighing his words. ‘This land is as strange as its people. Nothing is what it seems. It's so enchanting that your mind will be charmed as well as your senses.'

Hussein asked
Si
al-Tayeb to elaborate on his cryptic remark.

‘What I mean, Hussein Pasha, is that India is a vast country, where religion mixes with tradition, tribes with kings, and loyalty with hostility. It's difficult for strangers to decipher what's happening. Everything has two sides here and they think in a different way than we do. Their calculations are almost completely different from our calculations. Those who you see as friends could become your enemies in the
blink of an eye, and vice versa. Loyalty here is like water: its source doesn't matter as long as it quenches one's thirst.'

He knocked unconsciously on the wooden railing. ‘Be wary of everything, Pasha!'

Hussein was still not quite sure what
Si
al-Tayeb's point was, except that he should be careful. But wasn't he always careful? What mattered most to him was that he had found a strong ally and a walled city – and well-armed soldiers ready to fight.

Hussein disembarked with
Si
al-Tayeb. They walked with a large delegation that was waiting for them on the shore towards the palace of Malik Ayaz. Located on a hill overlooking the harbour, the palace was clad in white marble and surrounded by trees, gardens and fresh water streams.

Hussein was fascinated by how beautifully designed the place was. The delegation continued its way inside the palace, where Hussein could not help but notice the sheer magnitude of the wealth Malik Ayaz and his city lived in. This did not please Hussein: affluence in his view was a liability in times of war. For one thing, Hussein thought, it meant people lived in comfort and made them averse to taking up arms and defending themselves. For another, wealth put rulers in the difficult position of not wanting to lose their fortunes, palaces and precious possessions. Hussein wondered whether things would be different with Malik Ayaz.

The delegation crossed several halls and corridors, until they reached a large gate guarded by soldiers wearing superb uniforms. The soldiers carried
urumis
, strange weapons that Hussein had never seen before; out of the weapons' handles, several whip-like curling blades protruded.
The soldiers also had
bagh naksa
, weapons resembling predators' claws that they wore on their knuckles, and used to slash through the bodies or heads of enemy soldiers.

The gate opened quickly, revealing behind it a great marble hall. In the centre, Malik Ayaz sat surrounded by his viziers, commanders and officers. It was a spectacle of wealth and power.

Hussein could not hide his surprise when he saw Malik Ayaz. The man had white skin and a ruddy complexion, golden blond hair that reached his shoulders and eyes as blue as the sea.

Malik Ayaz stood up when he saw Hussein, hugged him and kissed him. No one had greeted Hussein in this manner since he had arrived in India; Indians did not kiss one another. Malik Ayaz's movements were commanding, even those expressing his respect and amiability. He was definitely not Indian, Hussein thought to himself.

Hussein sat down with Malik Ayaz for a long conversation. The two men discussed all matters of common concern, from the Ottomans, the Safavids and the Mamluks, to the Portuguese and the spice trade, and exchanged the information they had.

Later on, Hussein left for his wing in the palace. Wanting to know more, he grabbed
Si
al-Tayeb's hand and quizzed him about Malik Ayaz. He wanted to know how he was king over the Indians when he was so different in appearance and comportment from them.

‘I don't know much about him, but Qasimul Haq told me he was a Russian slave captured in battle,'
Si
al-Tayeb said. ‘He was sold and resold many times until he fell into the ownership of one of the powerful kings of India. As he
showed strong loyalty to his master and courage on the battlefield, his master made him commander of the army. After the king died, Malik Ayaz seized power and banished all his rivals, ruling the city independently.'

Hussein shook his head in surprise. He had not expected to find slave soldiers in India as well. He thought the phenomenon was purely Egyptian.

In the evening, Hussein returned to Malik Ayaz's hall. The ruler of Diu welcomed him warmly and introduced him to Muzaffar Shah, ruler of Gujarat, saying, ‘Muzaffar Shah is an old friend and a new ally. We agreed to fight the Portuguese ever since they appeared near the coasts of India.'

Hussein enjoyed himself that night. He felt his cause was in good hands. Malik Ayaz and Muzaffar Shah had significant military capabilities. Hussein was reassured that his mission was not in as much danger as he had thought, and reckoned their combined forces would be able to defeat the Portuguese if they used the resources at their disposal well.

Later that night, as they sat in the hall after dinner, a guard entered and whispered something in Malik Ayaz's ear. The governor nodded and spoke with the guard for a few minutes before telling his guests, ‘A messenger from the Zamorin has come. He wants to talk to me in private, but I have asked him to enter so you can hear what he has to say.'

Hussein's thoughts raced. He had been at the Zamorin's court a few days earlier, and the Hindu king had not agreed to help the Mamluk fleet, and even asked him to leave as soon as possible. What had changed? Did the Zamorin want to convince Malik Ayaz to expel him like he had?

The messenger, who was dressed in the manner of Banyan merchants, entered the hall. Hussein was perplexed. Messengers did not usually dress like this. He must have come disguised then, Hussein thought to himself; but for what purpose?

The messenger came to Malik Ayaz, looking at Hussein and Muzaffar Shah in a way that suggested he did not expect them to be there. Malik Ayaz said, ‘They are my allies, messenger. Your secret will be safe with them. You may speak freely.'

After a short moment of hesitation, the messenger spoke. ‘Your Grace, you are aware that my master the Zamorin loathes the Portuguese. But he is in a difficult position. His kingdom relies on trade and he cannot close his borders to anyone. If he decides to fight them, he would be alone amid the Indian kingdoms allied to Portugal. He knows that the future of his kingdom depends on free trade. And he is aware that, though the Portuguese have not yet used violence, they will use it in the future. They are invaders, and invaders know only how to act like invaders!'

The messenger continued, ‘My master will take part in the battle with you but he will keep his distance. The Portuguese will not know of it. He will send you men, money and supplies, but his only request is that you should keep this secret. He will deny having any links with you if something goes wrong.'

The men exchanged surprised looks before Malik Ayaz replied. ‘We thank the Zamorin for his wisdom and his support. We will be grateful. I hope you will convey our best regards and wishes to your king.'

The messenger knelt, his palms joined together, and then stood and left. Before he exited from the hall, he stopped and turned to those seated. ‘Qasimul Haq asked me to tell you that the Portuguese viceroy in India has learned of Hussein Pasha's arrival in Diu. He asked his son Lourenço de Almeida to lead the Portuguese fleet to meet Hussein in battle. I believe the Portuguese are on their way. It is advisable for you to begin preparations.'

‘When do you think their fleet will be here?' Malik Ayaz asked.

‘You will see their ships over the horizon within three days, I would reckon.'

It suddenly dawned on Hussein why Qasimul Haq had advised him to come to Diu. The city had declared war on the Portuguese, unlike other cities which were still reluctant or had even forged alliances with Portugal. His presence in Diu, he thought, would give him the moral and material support he needed in his war with the invaders. Qasimul Haq back at the Zamorin's court served as his early warning against any imminent Portuguese military action.

The leaders present at the court agreed to choose Hussein Pasha as the commander of the fleet that would confront the incoming Portuguese force. Hussein was asked to develop a battle plan.

Before the Portuguese were set to arrive, Hussein sent most of his fleet out to sea to conceal it. He kept two galleys flying the Mamluk flag at the entrance of the port, in addition to other Indian ships he asked to fly the Mamluk flag and remain near his two ships. He ordered the garrison manning the towers to place piles of firewood on their tops and to wait for his signal.

Three days later, exactly as the messenger had predicted, the Portuguese reached Diu. As their flotilla approached the port, they opened fire at the ships anchored at its entrance, believing them to be the entire Mamluk fleet. Hit by Portuguese cannonballs, the ships caught fire and some even exploded, sending shrapnel and debris in all directions. As soon as the Portuguese came closer and moved into the bay of Diu, however, Hussein gave orders to set the firewood on top of the towers alight. The Mamluk ships he had sent out to sea spotted the beacons, and sailed stealthily towards the port, laying siege to the Portuguese fleet and blocking its path outside the bay.

Lourenço knew that he was trapped. He ordered two of his ships to break the siege by any means. The two ships scurried towards the Mamluk fleet, but the Mamluk sailors resisted fiercely. They were able to board the Portuguese ships, and melee combat ensued at close quarters, with swords and daggers. At the same time, the small Indian ships that were hiding behind the Mamluk galleys joined the battle. When Lourenço saw this, he decided to raid the port and try to take it at any cost, having now lost all hope of getting out.