_ 172 _ The letter was composed in the second half of January 1508, after the battle of Qišm, since this is referred to, and before Albuquerque lifted the siege (beginning of February), since the retreat of the ‘Infidels’ is not mentioned.(A) Mahmud I received it towards the end of February. In order to protect his ports from attack which everything indicated would take place, he began to march, on the 16th savval 913 [18 February], towards the coastal regions of Gujarat.(B) ‘At this time, from all sides, because of the European infidels, appeals were being made to the court which was a refuge for the world and assistance was being sought from the source of fortune and happiness.’(C) It was Nimdihi, in Revue des Études islamiques, 1966, at pp. 74-7. We will quote the MS British Museum (British Library) Or. 5745 (the text is poor and calls for numerous corrections, most frequently minor ones; we have not marked the ones we have made in the lines which follow). (A) If one is to believe the Comentários of Brás de Albuquerque (1/52, p.194, the letter of the Vali of Ormuz had been preceded by an earlier plea for help, of which Albuquerque informed the envoy to Diu: ‘(...) having received reliable information that the Sultan’s fleet was at Diu, preparing together with the King of Cambay’s fleet to attack him. He had been given the news by some Moors who were captured in a ship from Ormuz coming from Diu that Cogeatar had sent there to ask for this help.’ (B) Tarih-i Mahmud-Sahi, MS cited, f.231b. Other reference on the campaign in Mare Luso-indicum, I. p.5, note 10. (C) Ibid., f. 232b.
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