Siege of Goa (1570–1571)

Siege of Goa, 1570–1571
	Part of War of the League of the Indies
Date	December 1570 – December 13, 1571
Location	Goa
Result	Portuguese victory
Belligerents
Portuguese Empire	Sultanate of Bijapur
Commanders and leaders
Dom Luís de Ataíde	Ali Adil Shah I
Strength
1,500 men	100,000 men including 30,000 foot soldiers 3,000 arquebusiers 35,000 cavalry, 2,000 elephants and numerous forced laborers
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Over 8,000 men, 4,000 horses, 300 elephants, 6,000 oxen, 150 pieces of artillery abandoned

The siege of Goa in 1570–1571 was a major military conflict between the Portuguese Empire and an alliance of regional powers in India, led by Ali Adil Shah I. This alliance aimed to expel the Portuguese from their strategic foothold in Goa, which was a crucial center for their colonial ambitions in Asia.^[1]^[2]

Context

By late December 1570, a large Adil Shahi dynasty army, commanded by General Nuri Khan, advanced towards Goa. Nuri Khan's vanguard arrived on December 28, 1570, followed by the main force under Ali Adil Shah I eight days later. The Bijapur forces established a camp east of the island of Goa, positioning their infantry ahead of Benastarim and deploying artillery to counter the Portuguese defenses.^[1]^[2]

The siege

Ali Adil Shah's forces began a relentless artillery bombardment on the Portuguese fortifications. However, the Portuguese, under the leadership of Viceroy Dom Luís de Ataíde, 3rd Count of Atouguia, continually repaired their defenses at night when the bombardment ceased. To deceive the Adil Shahi dynasty artillery and conserve their own resources, the Portuguese lit torches and bonfires at various isolated positions along the riverbanks, creating the illusion of greater readiness and causing the enemy to waste ammunition.^[1]^[2]

Despite being Besiege, the Portuguese Empire managed to keep their naval supply lines open, which was crucial for their defense and morale. The Luís de Ataíde, 3rd Count of Atouguia strategic acumen played a pivotal role in maintaining the fort's resilience against the prolonged siege.^[1]

Unable to breach the Portuguese defenses and facing mounting difficulties, Ali Adil Shah I forces eventually had to retreat. This culminated in a peace treaty signed on December 13, 1571, bringing an end to the siege.^[1]^[2]

Aftermath

The Portuguese managed to repel the attacks of the Sultanate of Bijapur.^[1]^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Cruz, Maria Augusta Lima (1992). Diogo do Couto e a década 8a da Asia (in Brazilian Portuguese). Comissão Nacional para as Comemorações dos Descobrimentos Portugueses. ISBN 978-972-27-0532-5.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Stein, Stephen K. (2017-04-24). The Sea in World History: Exploration, Travel, and Trade [2 volumes]. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. ISBN 978-1-4408-3551-3.

[malc-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Cruz, Maria Augusta Lima (1992). Diogo do Couto e a década 8a da Asia (in Brazilian Portuguese). Comissão Nacional para as Comemorações dos Descobrimentos Portugueses. ISBN 978-972-27-0532-5.

[sks-2] Stein, Stephen K. (2017-04-24). The Sea in World History: Exploration, Travel, and Trade [2 volumes]. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. ISBN 978-1-4408-3551-3.

[1]

[2]