'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎520] (551/582)

520
HISTORY OF MUSCAT.
observee, qu'on ne se permet pas seulement I'usage du cafFe.
Les etrangers, de quelque religion qu'ils soient, n'ont besoin ni
d'armes ni d'escortes pour parcourir sans peril tons les partis
de ce petit etat.' # This character of them is still applicable to their
present state, and gives to their country a just claim to the proud
title of Aman, from the security every where to be found in it.
The history of Muscat, as far as it is known in European
annals, is given in a few words. During the splendour of the
Portuguese power in the Indian Seas, and when their island
and city of Ormuz was the chief magazine of trade for the Per
sian Gulf, the rival port of Muscat, enjoying even then the con
sideration which its local position was calculated to obtain for
it, excited the jealousy of the intrepid Albuquerque, who made
himself master of it about the year 1507, and endeavoured to
force all the trade it carried on from hence, to increase that of
their favourite establishment at Ormuz. f When this island was
* Tome i. liv. 3, p. 268.
t After the taking of Socotra, about the year 1507, by Alfonso de Albuquerque and De
Cunna, the former of these proceeded towards the coasts of Arabia and Persia, with seven
ships and four hundred and sixty soldiers. He came first to Calayate, a beautiful and strong
place, in the kingdom of Ormuz, built after the manner usual in Spain, but which had once
been more populous. Sending a message to the Governor, he received supplies of water and
provisions, and entered into a treaty of peace. Proceeding to Curiate, ten leagues farther on,
he was very ill received ; in revenge for which, he took the place by storm, losing only three
of his own men, while eighty of the defenders were slain. After plundering this place, it was
destroyed by fire, along with fourteen vessels, which were in the harbour. From thence he
sailed for Muscat, eight leagues farther, which was stronger than the two former, and well
filled with people, who had resorted there from all quarters on hearing of the destruction of
Curiate. Being afraid of a similar disaster, the Governor sent great supplies of provisions to
Albuquerque, and entered into a treaty of peace ; but while the boats were ashore for water,
the cannon of the town began unexpectedly to play upon the ships, doing considerable
damage, and obliged them hastily to haul farther off, not knowing the cause of these hosti
lities ; but it was soon learnt that two thousand men had arrived to defend the town, sent by
the King of Ormuz, and that their commander refused to concur in the peace which had
been entered into by the Governor. Although Albuquerque had received considerable damage
from the smart cannonade, he landed his men early next morning, and attacked the place
with such resolution, that the Moors fled at one gate, while the Portuguese entered at an
other. The town was given up to plunder, all except the residence of the Governor, who had