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JULY, 1874.]
MUSALMÂN REMAINS IN THE SOUTH KONKAN.
181
MUSALMAN REMAINS IN THE SOUTH KONKAN.
BY A. K. NAIRNE, Bo. C.S.
IV.-The Fort of Korlê. TN the account I recently gave of Chaul everything necessary for the wants of such a 1 under the Musalmans, I mentioned the population, and here also was great store of rich capture of the fort of Korlê by the Portuguese. stuffs, money, and merchandise."* I think the detailed account of this fort as it was The historian goes on to relate that in April in Musalmîn times, and also the particulars of its 1594 the Moors, notwithstanding the peace that capture, may be acceptable. Its plan and works existed between Ahmadnagar and the Portuare quite different from those of any other fort guese, began to molest the latter, especially by on the coast that I have seen, and I saw no cannonading the Portuguese city from the Rock. traces of Maratha work in it.
The Portuguese had several partial encounters Translation from De Coutto-Decada 11, cap. with thein, and always with success, particu30:-" Opposite to our city of Chaul, and run- larly on the occasion of the arrival of fourteen ning half-across the mouth of the river, is a high Moguls, who having come to the court of and precipitous hill called the Rock (Morro), which Melique were sent by him to witness the defeat the forces of Melique (the Ahmadnagar king) of the Portuguese, which he looked on as a had converted into a great fortress, as strong as certainty. As soon as they appeared in the any in the world. This rock was surrounded
camp, the Portuguese were upon them, killed on three sides by the sea, and on the fourth was nine and captured two, the remainder saving a ditch which extended from the sea to the themselves by flight, and taking with them the river, and which was crossed by a wooden draw- Eunuch Thanadar, mortally wounded. An bridge. On the inner side of the ditch was a Abyssinian named Frate Khan succeeded him,
gh and strong wall, also extending from the of whom it had been foretold by his father that sea to the river, and relieved by two great he would be killed by the Portuguese. After bastions. Between the bastions, and looking this, there were several more skirmishes, and at down from the wall, stood a bronze lion with this time arrived Don Alvaro de Abranches, this inscription-None passes me but fights.' captain of the troops which had been sent to
“Crossing the Rock about the middle was reinforce Bassein on account of the war. He another wall with bastions, and on the top of it brought all his force, as did the Captain of A great and strong tower which commanded the Salsette, and they entered the river under summit, and. was called the Tower of Resistance.' a tremendous fire from the Rock, but without From the highest point of it looked down a loss. bronze eagle with extended wings and with this On September 2 the Captain of Chaal, inscription-None passes me but flies.' At Cosme de Lafeitar, being thus reinforced, deterthe point of the Rock stretching furthest into the mined to go across and burn the Musalman river was another great and strong bastion. bazar, without any idea of gaining the fort. There were thus seven in all, armed with more Before starting, all the soldiers confessed than 70 pieces of heavy artillery. Inside the and attended mass, and all the churches and walls the Moors bad a deep cistern or tank, well convents in the city were kept open. The built of costly cut stone, several magazines full of Portuguese crossed in boats to the number of warlike stores of all sorts, and some good houses. 1500, Don Alvaro de Abranches having the The garrison consisted of about 8,000 troops, vanguard, and Don Cosme de Lafeitar the rear horse and foot, among whom were many rich The Musalmâns appear to have been prepared, and noble Moors, who were quartered outside and there was a sharp encounter ; but one the walls in costly tents of gay colours. Ad- of their elephants being wounded, rushed back joining this camp was a bazâr of nearly 7,000 and fell into the ditch. The Musalmans began souls, all engaged in trde, which contained to retreat, and made for the drawbridge, as did
This account is evidently much exaggerated. The described, at any time, although a considerable auxiliary fort, though strong, is of no great size or height, compared force could have lain outside, as stated.-ED. with many hill-forts, and derives its whole importance | + Vessels over 50 tons must enter the river almost with from its position. It could not have held the garrison in pistol-shot of the Water Battery.-30.
