Beschreibung:
If most of the Oriental Letters (Cartas Orientais) kept in the rich archives of the Torre do Tombo in Lisbon have been carefully studied, one of them has not so far drawn the attention that it deserves among scholars. This document was written in Persian in 1519 by an Asian inhabitant of Malacca who came aboard the fleet of Afonso d’Albuquerque and took part in the storming of the city in 1511. In this letter, addressed to Portuguese authorities of Cochin in order to seek compensation and beg a favour, he gives a vivid and detailed description of the events that took place in the town during the first eight years under Portuguese government. The authors present an annotated translation of the document, endeavour to identify its author, probably of Jewish origin, and comment on the new and valuable data which it provides.