Siege of Mangalore (1571)

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Siege of Mangalore (1571)
Part of War of the League of the Indies
Date April 1571 Location Mangalore, India Result Portuguese victory
Belligerents
Portuguese Empire	Queen of Ullal
Commanders and leaders
Dom Diogo de Meneses	Kutti Pokkar Marakkar
Strength
15 Portuguese soldiers, casados, ~100 Christian lascarins, fleet under Dom Diogo de Meneses	8 half-galleys, Malabarese privateers
Casualties and losses
low	Heavy, fleet destroyed

Background

Following the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire after their defeat at the Battle of Talikota in 1565, the Portuguese Empire expanded their influence on the West coast of India. In 1568, the Portuguese took possession of the strategic port city of Mangalore and constructed a fort to solidify their control and prevent it from falling into Muslim hands.^[1][2]

The night assault

In April 1571, Catiproca's forces attempted to scale the walls of the Portuguese fort under the cover of darkness. The fort was defended by a small Garrison of 15 Portuguese soldiers, along with casados (Portuguese settlers married to local women) and approximately 100 Christian Lascarins. Despite the element of surprise, the attackers were detected, and the Garrison successfully repelled the Assault.^[1]

In 1571, the Queen of Ullal, a nearby principality, sought to resist Portuguese domination. She contracted Kutti Pokkar Marakkar, a Malabarese privateer whom the Portuguese referred to as Catiproca Marcá, to capture the fort at Mangalore. Catiproca assembled a force consisting of 8 half-galleys and prepared for a night attack on the fort.^[1][2]

Aftermath

Following the failed night attack, Catiproca reembarked his forces. However, two days later, his fleet encountered the Portuguese fleet led by Dom Diogo de Meneses. Meneses had been dispatched to the Malabar coast specifically to protect allied shipping from pirates. In the ensuing battle, Meneses' fleet decisively defeated and destroyed Catiproca's forces, ensuring the continued Portuguese control over Mangalore.^[1][2]

See also

• Portuguese India

References