son's translation, pp.
100-102.]
{90} Albuquerque took Goa for the second time at a most favourable
moment, for Yusaf Adil Shah, his gallant enemy of the previous
spring, died on December 5, 1510. His son, Ismail Adil Shah, who
succeeded him, was a mere lad, and the governors of the different
provinces of his kingdom soon began to show signs of rebellion. Under
these circumstances Kamal Khan, the principal general and minister of
the State of Bijapur, made, according to the Muhammadan historian
Ferishta, an arrangement with the Portuguese, and consented to their
retaining possession of Goa, on condition that they would be
satisfied with the island and would not molest the adjoining
districts. Albuquerque's _Commentaries_ say nothing of this
arrangement with Kamal Khan, but they contain a letter written by the
Portuguese Governor to the youthful King of Bijapur directly after
the second capture of Goa. The letter is both curious and
characteristic.
'You must well know,' he wrote, 'how the Sabaio, your father, used
to take the ships of Malabar out of the ports and harbours of the
King, my Lord; wherefore it was that I was constrained to go
against Goa, and take the city, and there it is that I am now
occupied in building a very strong fortress. I wish most sincerely
that your father had been living, that he might know me to be a man
of my word: out of regard for him I shall be ever your friend, and
I will assist you against the King of the Deccan and against your
enemies; and I will cause all the horses that arrive here to be
carried to your stations and your marts, in order that you may have
possession of them. Fain would I that the merchants of your land
would come with white stuffs and {91} all manner of merchandize to
this port, and take to yours in exchange merchandize of the sea,
and of the land, and horses, and I will give them a safe conduct.
If you wish for my friendship, let your messengers come to me with
your communications, and I will send you others on my part, who
shall convey to you my communications: if you will perform this
which I write unto you, by my aid shall you be able to gain
possession of much land, and become a great Lord among the Moors.
Be desirous of performing this, for thus it shall be well with you,
and you shall have great power; and for all that the Sabaio, your
father, be dead, I will be your father and bring you up like a
son.'[15]
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