Battle of Beadala (1538)

The Battle of Beadala (1538) was a military conflict between the Kingdom of Portugal and the Kingdom of Calicut.

Battle of Beadala (1538)
Date February 18–20, 1538 Location Beadala, Gulf of Mannar Result Portuguese victory
Belligerents
Portuguese Empire	Kingdom of Calicut
Commanders and leaders
Martim Afonso de Sousa	Patemarcar
Strength
~600–1,000 men 22 fustas 8 catures	~4,000–8,000 47 paraus
Casualties and losses
18 killed 100+ wounded	~800 dead 22 paraus captured 25 paraus burned 400 bombardas captured 1,500 firearms captured

Background

In early 1538, Martim Afonso de Sousa, the Portuguese governor of India, received reports of a large Malabar fleet operating along the coast. This fleet was led by Patemarcar, a prominent Malabar naval leader, who aimed to undermine Portuguese influence in the region. Patemarcar had organized an impressive fleet of paraus—traditional Malabar ships—equipped with artillery and a significant number of soldiers and mariners.

Determined to end this threat, Sousa organized a force of 22 fustas and 8 catures, consisting of Portuguese soldiers, Indian allies, and enslaved rowers, to pursue the Malabar fleet. The two sides engaged in a series of maneuvers along the coast, with Patemarcar trying to evade a direct conflict with the Portuguese. However, he ultimately anchored near Beadala, preparing for battle in an area where he believed he could gain a defensive advantage.

Battle

On the night of February 18, Sousa positioned his fleet in anticipation of a dawn assault. His plan was to capitalize on surprise and decisively break the Malabar fleet's defensive line. At dawn on February 19, the Portuguese fleet launched an attack on the anchored paraus, catching the Malabar forces off guard.

The Portuguese managed to cut through the initial defenses and close in on the main fleet. Despite fierce resistance from the Malabar mariners, Sousa's forces systematically captured or destroyed the paraus. The battle turned into a chaotic struggle, with the Portuguese setting fire to captured vessels and repelling counterattacks from the shore. Throughout the day, the Portuguese continued to press their advantage, surrounding and overwhelming smaller groups of Malabar ships.

On February 20, Sousa ordered a final coordinated assault. The remaining Malabar forces were no longer able to resist effectively. Many of Patemarcar's soldiers fled, leaving behind artillery, firearms, and supplies. Recognizing the inevitable defeat, Patemarcar himself fled the battlefield with 25 men, abandoning the fleet to its fate.

Aftermath

Sousa's fleet was able to capture and destroy 47 paraus in total, and seized an extensive cache of weapons, including hundreds of bombardas (small cannons) and muskets, with the cost of losing 18 men.

As for Patemarcar, upon reaching Calicut, he quickly dispatched trusted men to recover the treasure chest he had hidden during his flight. However, one of his men, likely seeking a hefty reward, revealed the hiding place to the Portuguese captain of Coulão. An ambush was set, and the treasure chest was seized. Rumors later circulated that the chest was opened by the Portuguese only out of curiosity, and as a result, a large portion of the gold and gems inside mysteriously disappeared. This story reflected the dual nature of Portuguese presence in India—heroic triumphs mixed with the darker side of greed.

References

• Monteiro, Saturnino. "BATALHAS E COMBATES da Marinha Portuguesa" (in Portuguese).
• Danvers, Frederick Charles (1894). The Portuguese in India: A.D. 1481-1571. W.H. Allen & Company, limited.