3/06/2024
First Voyage of Amerigo Vespucci
3/03/2024
Diu Repels the Portuguese
Diu, Civitates Orbis Terrarum, 1572. Source.
Duarte Barbosa (Ramusio). 1515.
DUY.
Fifty leagues further along the coast, towards the south, there is a promontory, and joining close to it is a small island, which contains a very large and fine town, which the Malabars call Diuixa, and the Moors of the country call it Diu.
2/23/2024
Gujarat Misunderstood Through Portuguese Eyes
Gujarat. (Source.) |
Duarte Barbosa (Ramusio). 1515.
KINGDOM OF GUZERAT, IN INDIA.
Leaving the kingdom of Ulcinde, in the same direction, at a distance of fifty leagues, the traveller enters the first India, in the great kingdom of Guzarat, which kingdom had belonged to King Darius. And the Indians have long histories of him and of King Alexander.
This kingdom has many cities and towns in the interior of the country, as well as ports along the sea; and very much shipping. It has many merchants and shipowners, both Moors and Gentiles.
1/20/2024
Ismail I and Safavid Persia
Map of Persia between 16th and 18th century (Source.)
Duarte Barbosa (Ramusio). 1515.
COUNTRY OF SHEIKH ISMAIL.
After passing these countries along the coast of Persia, there are many towns, places, and villages of the Moors, very handsome and rich enough. From here further on it is no longer the country of the king of Ormuz, but belongs to other lords, of whom we do not possess so much information, except that Xeque Yzmael subjugates and governs them.
1/18/2024
Diulcindi, Inland Kingdom
Diulcindi. (Source.)
DIULCINDI.
Leaving the kingdom of Ormuz, from the mouth of the Sea of Persia the coast goes to the south-east for a hundred and seventy-two leagues as far as Diulcinde, entering the kingdom of Ulcinde, which is between Persia and India. It is a kingdom, and has a Moorish king over it, and most of the inhabitants of the country are Moors, and there are some Gentiles subject to the Moors.
The Portuguese Conquer Ormuz Island, Build Fortress
Ormuz Fortress, Ormuz Island. (Source.) |
Duarte Barbosa (Ramusio). 1515.
ISLAND AND CITY OF ORMUZ.
On coming out of the Sea and Strait of Persia, in its mouth there is a small island, in which is the city of Ormuz, which is small and very handsome, and with very pretty houses, lofty, of stone, whitewash, and mortar, covered with terraces, and because the country is very hot, they have fans made in such a manner that they make the air come from their summits to the lower part of the houses and rooms. It is a very well situated town, which has very good streets and squares.
Ormus and "Further on": 1515 Portuguese Travel Guide
Ormus and "Further on." (Source.) |
Duarte Barbosa (Ramusio). 1515.
KINGDOM OF ORMUZ.
After passing this Cape of Fasalhat along the coast to the north-east, there are many towns and castles of the kingdom of Ormuz in Arabia, fifty leagues to the north-east, and then twenty-five leagues to the east, and as much again to the north-east and north, and then it makes a bay to the north-west for twelve leagues, and turns to the north-east twenty-five leagues as far as Cape Refalcate, and then it turns to the north-west, making bays until Madea, which are eighty-six leagues off, and from there it trends to the north-east by north thirty leagues until Cape Mocondon, which is at the mouth of the sea of Persia, which is twelve leagues in width, and on this sea also further on, this rule and lordship continue to extend, and there are in it many towns and forts; and islands which are in the midst of the said sea of Persia, inhabited by Moors.
1/17/2024
Barbosa's Port and Town of Xeher (Al-Shihr)
Al-Shihr (Xeher). Source: Google Maps. |
DIUFAR.
Leaving Cape Fartach towards the coast of the open sea to the north-east by east, going along the coast L leagues off is a town of the Moors and sea-port called Diufar, a city of the kingdom of Fartach, in which the Moors of Cambay trade in cotton stuffs, rice, and other goods.
1/12/2024
Cape Guardafun and the Mouth of the "Strait of Mecca"
Cape Fartach at center, Ortelius, 1570. (Source.) |
Duarte Barbosa (Ramusio), 1515.
CAPE FARTACH AND THE ISLAND OF SACOTORA.
In this country and kingdom there is a cape which is called Cape Fartach, where the coast turns and makes a bend towards the said sea between north-east and east, and between this cape and that of Guardafun [1], is the mouth of the strait of Mecca, which runs north-west and south-east, and it is xl leagues in width, where all the ships pass for those voyages and to the Red Sea.