Alfonso de Albuquerque: Architect of Portuguese Power & Foundations in Colonial India

Alfonso de Albuquerque: Portuguese Leader in Indian Ocean #

Alfonso de Albuquerque was born in 1453 in Alhandra, near Lisbon, Portugal. He served as the second governor of Portuguese India for a period of six years. He was known for expanding Portuguese influence across the Indian Ocean and built a reputation as a fierce and skilled military commander.

Albuquerque’s Vision: Goa & Malacca, Pillars of Portuguese Empire #

• Permanent Base: He captured Goa which became the lynchpin of all further territorial and commercial expansion.
• Capture of Malacca: Permanently established the Portuguese presence in Asia and laid the foundation for further expansion into Southeast and East Asia.
• Strategic Outlook: He aimed to completely dominate trade with the East and built forts at strategic locations.
• Blue Water Policy: Introduced by Francisco De Almeida and followed by Alfonso de Albuquerque, policy aimed at turning the Indian Ocean into a closed Sea to better control the trade in the region.

Alfonso de Albuquerque Important Policies of Albuquerque:  #

• Political Policies:
  • His overarching aim was to establish Portuguese hegemony in the East.
  • He conquered Goa in 1510 from the Sultan of Bijapur and Malacca in 1511, which laid the foundations of the Portuguese Empire in Asia.
  • He also planned to use Goa as a naval base against the Muslims, to divert the spice trade to it, and to use it to supply Persian horses to the Hindu princes. 
• Military Policies:
  • During his first expedition he got permission from his ally, the local Maharaja of Kochi and built Fort Emmanuel. 
  • It was the first Portuguese fort in Asia.
  • Alfonso de Albuquerque’s plan was to assume active control over all the main maritime trade routes of the East and to establish permanent fortresses with settled populations.
• Diplomatic Policies:
  • He established diplomatic contacts with kingdoms in Thailand(Ayutthaya), Myanmar(Pegu),Timor, East Africa (Ethiopia). 
    • He also opened a path for trade with China leading to the establishment of the first European trade post on the Chinese coast in 1517 in Canton by the Portuguese.
  • He maintained friendly relations with the Vijayanagar Empire.
• Social Policies:
  • Marked by his efforts to integrate the Portuguese settlers with the local population.
  • He encouraged inter-marriages between Portuguese men and local women.
  • This led to the emergence of a mixed Indo-Portuguese race leading to cultural assimilation.
  • Although this was done due to necessity as Portuguese women were not allowed to travel abroad.
  • It strengthened the foundations of the imperialist empire as it made Portuguese permanently settle in India and also created a new generation of loyal Christians. 
• Economic Policies
  • Alfonso de Albuquerque’s economic policies were geared towards securing Portugal’s dominance over trade routes. 
  • He introduced a permit system for other ships ‘Cartaz System’ and exercised control over major ship-building centres in the region. 
• His strategy aimed at closing all Indian Ocean naval passages to the Atlantic, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Pacific, transforming it into a Portuguese ‘Mare Clausum’ (Closed Sea). 
• This strategy effectively wrestled control of the lucrative spice trade away from Muslims.

• Cultural Policies:
  • Favourable Attitude: Alfonso de Albuquerque’s cultural policies were to respect local customs and traditions. 
  • Non-Interference: He left most of the customs and constitutions of the villages untouched and did not interfere with indigenous social and cultural aspects. 
  • Assimilating East and West: However, he introduced Western elements into local culture. 
  • Example: He started the first Portuguese Mint in the east, issuing gold, silver, and bronze coins based on local designs but engraved with the badge of the Portuguese kings.
•  Religious Policies:
  • Primary Objective: Alfonso de Albuquerque’s advanced the three-fold Portuguese grand scheme of combating Islam, spreading Christianity, and securing the trade of spices by establishing a Portuguese Asian empire. 
• Method: He ordered the slaughter of all Muslim populations to reduce religious divergence, hoping that it would force Hindus and Muslims to convert to Christianity. 

Impact of Albuquerque’s Policies #

Alfonso de Albuquerque’s strategies had a far-reaching impact on India, particularly in territories under Portuguese control. 

• Political Impact: The victories of Alfonso de Albuquerque, particularly in Goa and Malacca, were instrumental in laying the groundwork for the Portuguese Empire in Asia. 
  • His political strategies were designed to assert Portuguese dominance in the East.
• Military Impact: Alfonso de Albuquerque’s construction of fortifications, such as Fort Emmanuel in Kochi, were pivotal in maintaining Portuguese control over key maritime trade routes.
• Diplomatic Impact: Alfonso de Albuquerque’s diplomatic relations extended the influence of Portugal and opened up new trade routes.
• Social Impact: Alfonso de Albuquerque’s social strategies led to the integration of Portuguese settlers with the indigenous population, resulting in cultural assimilation and the emergence of a mixed Indo-Portuguese race.
• Cultural Impact: Alfonso de Albuquerque’s appreciation of importance of local customs and traditions prevented alienation of local population and helped the Portuguese in assimilating with the local populations.
• Religious Impact: His initial target of only Muslims brought him closer to many Hindu rulers and prevented excessive hostility during the initial years of the empire.
• Economic Impact: Alfonso de Albuquerque’s implemented economic strategies that helped Portugal control sea trade in the Indian Ocean. 
  • His ‘Cartaz’ System (licence), allowed Portugal to monitor and tax goods more effectively.

Significance of Alfonso de Albuquerque: #

• His career was marked by numerous achievements, earning him various epithets like “the Caesar of the East” that reflect his influence and power.
• By the time of his death in 1515, Portugal was an Asian Power.
• It is the lack of such able leaders that the Portuguese Empire could not match up with the French and English in later times
• Therefore, Alfonso de Albuquerque’s legacy continues to be a significant part of the historical narrative of colonial India.

Conclusion: #

• The policies and actions of Alfonso de Albuquerque had a profound and lasting impact on India, particularly in territories under Portuguese control. 
  • His strategies not only laid the groundwork for the Portuguese Empire in Asia but also led to significant cultural assimilation and socio-economic changes in the regions under Portuguese control.