Portugal takes Mombasa
1505 · Mombasa (present-day Kenya) · World · Modern
Portuguese troops stormed Mombasa, burned and plundered the whole city, and then departed.
Belligerents
Portugal
- Commanders
- Francisco de Almeida
- Strength
- More than 20 ships and about 1,500 soldiers
Sultanate of Mombasa
- Commanders
- Sultanate of Mombasa
- Strength
- No reliable record
Background
Vasco da Gama was rebuffed at Mombasa in 1498 and instead allied with its rival Malindi. In 1505 Francisco de Almeida, the first viceroy of Portuguese India, led a fleet to India and was ordered to seize East African trading posts on the way.
Course of the battle
- Capture of KilwaIn July Portuguese troops captured Kilwa; the sultan fled abroad, and the Portuguese built a fort on the island.
- Artillery duelIn August the fleet reached Mombasa and exchanged fire with the shore batteries.
- Landing and street fightingAfter landing, the Portuguese advanced house by house through the narrow streets and set the city on fire.
- Withdrawal after plunderThe Portuguese plundered the city's wealth and then sailed on to India.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1505 |
|---|---|
| Place | Mombasa (present-day Kenya) |
| Result | Portuguese troops stormed Mombasa, burned and plundered the whole city, and then departed. |
| Winner | Portugal |
| Casualties | No reliable figures; Portuguese accounts record heavy casualties in the city |
| Territorial change | Mombasa was not occupied for the time being, but the Swahili city-states were forced to pay tribute to or ally with Portugal, and Portugal built forts at Kilwa and Sofala. |
Impact
This expedition marked Portugal's armed intrusion into the Indian Ocean trade system, and from then on the prosperity of the Swahili city-states went into decline.
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