---

Who Was Enrique of Malacca? Enrique of Malacca was the first person to circumnavigate the globe linguistically—he traveled so far in one direction (west) that he came to a place where his own language was spoken. Enrique may have also circumnavigated the globe completely, a full circle of the earth beginning and ending in Malacca or somewhere in the Philippines. Enrique’s 10-year journey began in 1511 following the Portuguese invasion of Malacca and continued on Magellan’s Armada de Molucca. Enrique toured the world at a time of seismic global change. Read more about Enrique of Malacca.

The Wealth of Cambay and Beyond

Illustration of the city of Cambay (Khambhat) in the 15th century. (Source.)

Duarte Barbosa (Ramusio). 1515.

CITY OF CAMBAY.

Entering this river of Guendari, to the north-east is the great city of Cambay, inhabited by Moors and Gentiles. 

It is a very large city of handsome houses of stone and whitewash, very lofty, with windows, and covered with roofs in the Spanish fashion; it has very good streets and squares, and is situated in a rich, fertile, and pretty country, full of abundant provisions. 

Enrique of Malacca Interprets at Limasawa—Pigafetta's Account

Over a decade, Enrique and Magellan had traveled to within 2,600 kilometers of a full circuit
of the globe, from Malacca westward to Limasawa.

When Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition first approached Limasawa Island on March 28, 1521, Enrique of Malacca was able to serve as interpreter speaking Malay, the language used in Southeast Asian trade. Enrique had circled the globe, westward from Malacca to Cebu, to a place where his native language was spoken.

First Voyage of Amerigo Vespucci

Magnificent Lord. I submit humble reverence to you and offer due recommendations. It may be that your Magnificence will be astonished at my temerity that I should dare so absurdly to write the present long letter to your Magnificence, knowing that your Magnificence is constantly occupied in the high councils and affairs touching the lofty Republic. And I may be considered not only presumptuous but also idle in writing things not convenient to your condition nor agreeable, and written in a barbarous style. But as I have confidence in your virtues and in the merit of my writing, which is touching things never before written upon either by ancient or modern writers, as will be seen, I may be excused by your Magnificence.

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. 

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.

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. 

Diulcindi, Inland Kingdom

 

Diulcindi. (Source.)

Duarte Barbosa (Ramusio). 1515.

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.