Portuguese Colonization of Uae
Portuguese Colonization of Uae
From the rise of Islam until the 16th century, Muslim traders dominated the commerce of the East by land and sea. A major share of this lucrative trade that plied up the Red Sea and from there overland to the Mediterranean ports was obtained by the Venetians and partially by the Genoese. After 1381, Genoa began to decline, but Venices supremacy as the maritime leader in the Mediterranean continued unchallenged. The arrival of the Portuguese in the Indian Ocean in 1498 reduced the flow of trade to the Mediterranean and spelled ruin not only for Venice, but also for two other rival and powerful states – Egypt and Turkey.
Inspired by the spirit of discovery and a crusading mission to spread Christianity, the Portuguese in the 15th century, embarked on an ambitious program of militant and mercantile activities that paved the way for expansion and colonization. However, the underlying motive of the Lusitanian crown was a desire to control the extremely lucrative commerce of the Indian Ocean, particularly the spice trade, by wresting it from the Muslim merchants who controlled it. From their vantage geographical position and taking advantage of their superior nautical skills and advanced shipbuilding industry, the courageous and enterprising people