14 they were obliged to protect the sea and keep it open for business. Such burden was lifted of the shoulders of the local kings of Hormuz who revolted against the Portuguese, but were then forced militarily to give allegiance and be obedient to Portugal yet again. Hormuz has the biggest port in the entire east. Italian Venetians, Greeks, Armenians and Jews are seen there all the time. Most of the days of the week are marked as holidays for one or another of the groups of residents: for Christians, it is Sunday; for pagan Hindus, it is Tuesday; for Muslims, it is Friday, and for Jews, their Sabbath is Saturday. The population of Hormuz city comprise people from all nations. If you happen to go one day to visit a friend, you would see that he lives in a house where there reside Christians, Jews and pagans; all living religiously independent from the others. In spite of their religious differences, they all keep good neighbourly relations as they talk to and visit one another socially with no restrictions. On the island, there are Christian churches, Muslim mosques including the Grand Mosque with
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