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Portuguese Capture of Mombasa

Type Event Region East Africa Time 1505

In August 1505 Francisco de Almeida, the first viceroy of Portuguese India, led a fleet north from Kilwa and attacked Mombasa by land and sea.…

Timeline

  1. 1505Mombasa harbor · KenyaThe Portuguese fleet entered Mombasa harbor and suppressed fire from the harbor fortress. The next day Portuguese ships sailed upriver and bombarded the city's defenses; the sultan refused Almeida's offer of surrender and issued provocations.
  2. 1505City of Mombasa · KenyaThe Portuguese landed in two groups, fought stubborn resistance in narrow streets, and broke into the city. The sultan led the population in retreat; the Portuguese plundered goods, burned ships in the harbor, and set the city ablaze. His son Lourenço de Almeida distinguished himself in the battle.
  3. 1505Malindi · KenyaAfter sacking Mombasa the Portuguese sailed to their ally Malindi, whose sultan was delighted at the attack on his old enemy. Together with the sack of Kilwa the same year, this battle established a Portuguese military presence on the East African coast; after the Portuguese withdrew from Kilwa in 1512, Mombasa remained a center of resistance.

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