Nuno da Cunha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nuno da Cunha
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Portrait of Nuno da Cunha in Livro de Lisuarte de Abreu, c. 1560.
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| Governor of Portuguese India | |
| In office 1529–1538 |
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| Monarch | John III of Portugal |
| Preceded by | Lopo Vaz de Sampaio |
| Succeeded by | Garcia de Noronha |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1487 Kingdom of Portugal |
| Died | 5 March 1539 Cape of Good Hope |
| Spouses | Maria da Cunha Isabel da Silveira |
Nuno da Cunha (born around 1487 – died March 5, 1539) was an important Portuguese admiral. He served as the governor of Portugal's lands in India from 1529 to 1538. He was the longest-serving governor in the 1500s, ruling for nine years.
Nuno was the son of Tristão da Cunha, a famous Portuguese explorer and admiral. Nuno showed his bravery and skill in battles at Oja and Brava. He also helped capture Panane. These actions happened when he was serving under Viceroy Francisco de Almeida.
Contents
Becoming Governor of India
King John III of Portugal chose Nuno da Cunha to be the ninth governor of Portuguese lands in India. He started his job in April 1529. One of his first tasks was to replace the previous governor, Lopo Vaz de Sampaio. King John III ordered Nuno to send Sampaio back to Portugal in chains. This was a very important and sensitive mission for Nuno. The king trusted Nuno because they had been close friends since the king was a prince.
Journey to India and Early Actions
On his way to Goa, Nuno da Cunha stopped at Mombasa. He successfully stopped pirates who were attacking ships along the coast of Portuguese Mozambique. Mozambique was important for Portugal's trade routes. It also had places where ships could get fresh water. These stops were vital for Portugal's long sea journeys to India.
Nuno's brothers, Pero Vaz da Cunha and Simão da Cunha, were supposed to be his top commanders. It was common for leaders to give important jobs to their family members back then. However, both his brothers died during the voyage to India. This meant Nuno had to rely on local friends and supporters in Goa during his long time as governor.
Expanding Portuguese Control
In 1529, Nuno sent an expedition that attacked and burned the city of Damão. Damão was located on the Arabian Sea, near the Damão River. It was about 100 miles north of Mumbai in the Muslim state of Gujarat.
In 1533, Nuno's forces captured Baxay from Bahadur Shah, the Muslim ruler of Gujarat. This happened on January 20. Baxay is now known as Vasai. The next year, the city was renamed Bassein. It became the main city of the Portuguese province in the North. A strong fort made of dark stone was started there. This fort is still standing today and was finished in 1548.
End of His Rule and Death
Nuno da Cunha was forced to return to Portugal because of problems among people at the king's court. On his journey back, his ship was wrecked near the Cape of Good Hope. He drowned there on March 5, 1539.
Nuno da Cunha was married twice. His first wife was Maria da Cunha. His second wife was Isabel da Silveira. Most of what we know about Nuno da Cunha comes from the Portuguese historian João de Barros. Barros wrote a famous history about the Portuguese in their overseas lands. His work, called Asia de Ioam de Barros, describes many events from that time.
Gallery
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Statue of D. Nuno da Cunha in Diu.
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Map of Bassein (c. 1539).
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See also
In Spanish: Nuno da Cunha para niños
- Gujarati-Portuguese conflicts
- Adil Shahi-Portuguese conflicts
