Though Vasco Da Gamma, the famous portuguese navigator, did not visit
Kannur on his way to Kozhikkode in May 1498, he established contacts
with the Kolathiri ruler. His ships which had left Kozhikkode on August
29, 1498 were contacted by the boats sent by the Kolathiri and Gama
was invited to visit the palace. The aim of the Kolathiri was to gain
wealth and power with the help of the Portuguese, the same way the
Zamorin had acquired with the help of the Arabs. In winning the alliance
of the Kolathiri, Vasco Da Gamma, in turn, had successfully exploited
the jealousies of the native princes and won for the Portuguese ;a
virtual monopoly of the pepper trade.
Francisco De Almedia was sent from Portugal with specific instructions
to erect forts at stratetgic points. He started constructing the Kannur
Fort in 1505 and it was named St. Angelo.
On March 16, 1506, the Portuguese effectively intercepted an armada
of Turks and Arabs, whom the Zamorin had launched against Kannur.
The Portuguese navy under Lorenzo Almedia engaged the Zamorin's fleet
in battle and the Portuguese ships won a decisive victory . This naval
victory resulted in the establishment of Portuguese naval supremacy
in the Indian seas.
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