| Cannanore War (1559) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part ofZamorin–Portuguese conflicts | |||||||
 Cannanore, 1572 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Kingdom of Portugal | Kingdom of Calicut | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Paio de Noronha Luis de Mello Ruy de Mello Antonio de Vilhena |
| ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Naval battle: 6 ships -300 men Siege: 500 men | Naval battle: 13 ships 2,000 men Siege: 100,000 men | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Naval battle: Unknown Siege: 25 killed | Naval battle: Fleet destroyed Siege: +15,000 killed | ||||||
TheCannanore War (1559) was a series of naval and land engagements between the Portuguese and the Princes of Malabar. The Portuguese successfully secured their fortress atCannanore and restored peace to the region.
The Princes of Malabar, who were encouraged by Ade Rajao, sought to expel the Portuguese fromCannanore. Dom Paio de Noronha, recently appointed captain, provoked Rajao with his "despotism and imbecile pride", who immediately opened war agaisnt him,[1][2] sending an army of 100,000 men to siege the Portuguese fortress.[3][4]
The Viceroy immediately sent a reinforcement under the command of Ruy de Mello and then another led by Luis de Mello da Silva. This captain, instead of waiting inCannanore for the enemy, left with a fleet to run the seas. In 29[4] or 30[5] of March, he left with 6 ships and less than 300 men to attack Ade Rajao's fleet consisting of 13 ships and 2,000 men.[4][5] He razedMangalore and destroyed Ade Rajao's fleet.[4] However, returning toGoa, D. Constantino arrested him in the castle ofPangim, despite his victories, for abandoning his post.[1] But, after fulfilling what the discipline required, the Viceroy went to personally seek him to prison and congratulate him for his victories.[1]
In 13 May, Luis de Mello was then sent to reinforceCannanore with 500 men.[1][2][3][5] When he arrived, the trenches were already occupied by the enemy. Along with Antonio de Vilhena, Mello took command of the defense.[3]
Luis de Mello led 60 soldiers for counterattacks, while Antonio de Vilhena commanded a group of 50. After 12[6]–13[4][5] hours, the Portuguese repelled the attackers, who lost more than 15,000,[4][5][6] while the Portuguese suffered 25.[4][6]
Struck by fear, Ade Rajao abandoned his plan to besiege the fortress and asked for peace, which was then again restored inCannanore.[1][4][6]