Battle of Leitao Coast

The Niquilus originally belonged to an unknown tribe from Oman, they engaged in fishing, sea diving for pearls, agricultural activities trading, and some piracy, at the beginning of the 15th century the Persian Gulf lost one of its two great pearl fisheries, due to overfishing and the Niquilus had to compete for other pearl fisheries with other arab pearl diving groups, the Niquilus were ousted from Oman upon losing a battle with the Al Bu Muhair tribe over pearl grounds, due to this, the defeated tribe alongside their families migrated to Portuguese territory requesting the governor of Hormuz to allow them to settle in the Larak Island in exchange for patrolling the straits of Hormuz against Makrani pirates, but this was refused instead they migrated to Nakhiloo Island and settles there in early 1570.[2]

having settled in Nakhiloo Island which obtained their name Niquilus, they began their piratical activities which gained the attention of the Portuguese in Hormuz, 1581 a Portuguese fleet led by Dom Jeronimo de Mscarenhas originally sent against the ruler of Lar but diverted upon a request from the captain of Hormuz to deal with the Niquilus pirates, reaching there, they sent an arab to negotiate with the Sheikh of Niquilus Musa, after some negotiations the Niqulius promised to move to Larek within given time period.[3]

however, the Niquilus broke the agreement in 1583 and committed acts of piracy, in response one galliot was dispatched to capture the Niquilus ships at Laz, they bombarded the settlement, and upon the night landed offshore, the people of Laz silently attacked the galliot and killed everyone on board, then the ship was taken to Nakhiloo, another ship was dispatched but the ship was Disabled due to storm and only 6 crews survived.[4]

the new governor of Hormuz Matias de Albuquerque dispatched 4 vessels against Niquilus and later sent two other vessels to assist the 4 vessels and capture Laz and massacre everyone there, however a storm happened again and only 11 crews survived, enraged by these setbacks and asked Goa to lend him men to punish the Niquilus.[5]

in 1586 the fleet of 15 vessels with 500 was led by Ruy Gonçalves da Câmara, the former governor of Hormuz with a task to destroy the Niquilus, later he was joined by Pedro Homem Periera, an experienced soldier, with 5 vessels and 150 men from Hormuz, soon the Portuguese learned that the Niquilus abandoned their settlements in Laz and sought the coast, an order from Matias de Albuquerque tasked him to attack the enemy who situated in Leitao coast adjacent to the island of Kish,[6][7], Pedro then decided to disembark his troops on the coast, however, his captains told him it was risky but later went along, two companies of 60 men each to land one to provide a cover for the other company commanded by Ruy Gonçalves.[8]

the Portuguese ran their Fustas ashore and everyone leaped on the coast without an order of battle, the Portuguese were disunited, and the Niquilus, who was watching the landing happening and their vessels being dragged to the coast, attacked them with a force of 500 infantry and cavalry in a half moon formation, they overran the Portuguese ashore killing many of them and the defeat was total, men were being killed or drowned while others trying to escape on small ships, according to Diogo do Couto, this was the worst defeat Estado de India ever suffered, in less than one hour 250 men, the flower of Portuguese in India forces were killed in the battle.[9][10]

having returned to Goa, Ruy Gonçalves was received with a great demonstration by the Viceroy as he had returned from a victorious campaign and was rewarded with favors for achieving nothing despite the crushing defeat he suffered.[11]