Battle of Barawa
Part of Somali-Portuguese conflicts

Modern-day Barawa
DateApril 1507
Location
Barawa, in modern day Somalia.
Result Portuguese victory, city sacked.
Belligerents
Ajuran Sultanate Portuguese Empire
Commanders and leaders
Unknown Tristão da Cunha (WIA)
Afonso de Albuquerque
Strength
4,000[1] 1,500[1]
Casualties and losses
Heavy 50 dead[1]

The Battle of Barawa was an armed military encounter between the Portuguese Empire and the Ajuran Sultanate, in the city of Barawa. The Portuguese staged a landing and achieved their objectives of sacking the city.

Battle

During the Battle of Barawa, Tristão da Cunha was wounded and knighted by Albuquerque.[2]

In February 1507, an armada of 16 ships commanded by Tristão da Cunha and assisted by Afonso de Albuquerque docked at Malindi, en route to India via the island of Socotra. The King of Malindi had been a faithful vassal of the Portuguese since the maiden voyage of Vasco da Gama to India in 1497, and at that instance, the King requested assistance from the Portuguese against the hostile cities of Oja, Lamu and Barawa. Oja was sacked and Lamu was subjugated without a fight.[3]

Upon reaching Barawa, the Portuguese first offered the city the chance to submit without a fight, which was refused. The Portuguese made ready to assault the city, and reported that its defences included a wall and 4,000 men ready to fight.[1]

The following morning, Tristão da Cunha and Afonso de Albuquerque led two assault groups ashore. 2,000 men sallied forth to fight the Portuguese on the beach, but were driven back to the city. Coming under attack from fire arrows, the Portuguese scaled the wall at a weak point and the defenses were breached. Many inhabitants fled, but those who remained perished in the fight. The city was then sacked and put to the torch, while the survivors watched from afar.[1] Afterwards the Portuguese proceeded to Socotra Island.[4]

After the attack, the city of Barawa was quickly rebuilt.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Osório 1752, pp. 285–286.
  2. ↑ Maritime Discovery: A History of Nautical Exploration from the Earliest Times pg 198
  3. ↑ Osório 1752.
  4. ↑ Osório 1752, p. 287.
  5. ↑ Osório 1752.

Sources

  • Osório, Jerónimo (1752) [original 16th century]. The History of the Portuguese, During the Reign of Emmanuel. Translated by Gibbs, James. London: Printed for A. Millar.
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