_ 170 _ that the count was convinced that the Turks had 33 or 34 galleys in the Strait of Mecca, which is called the Red Sea, which without doubt had caused great trouble in India(A). It was Our Lord’s desire that, together with this news from Portugal, we should receive letters from our Fathers who are in Ethiopia, which news was very up to date(B)and came earlier than usual, and in which we were informed that there was no sighting of galleys in the entire Strait, nor in Suez nor in Mecca or Jedda(C), at which the count and all India was most happy. Although the rigging was in good condition at the time, since many galleons and galleys had been repaired, the count said that he had to go in person, and had already delegated Luis da Costa(D) as the captain of his galley; he women returned to Fatehpur from Mecca on 12 April 1582 after three and a half years’ absence. Gulbadan Begum was the sister of the emperor Humayun, and aunt of Akbar. More about her and her successful return are discussed by Akbarnama 111, c 67; Aein pp 49 (7) (where it is correctly established that the aunt, not wife of Akbar) 207 (Badaoni) 489 (the officials Rumi Khan and Baqi Khan, accompanied the aunt and other pilgrim women, whose names are given). The author confused the mother of the Emperor with his aunt. (A) Couto, Dec X, 1. 2, c 5 also writes about these few rumours and of the danger to the Mozambique. (B) In lost letters (cf doc 107a); nothing is said about this matter in the letter of 3 July 1582 sent to the Vicar General (see Beccari X 328-30) (C) Djaddah, Arabian Port in the Red Sea (D) According to Couto, Dec X, 1. 2, c 5 (p. 183) the Viceroy sent the
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