IF ALBUQUERQUE THOUGHT THAT the departure of Almeida would at last free him to fulfill his duties as governor of India, he was mistaken.
“IF ALBUQUERQUE THOUGHT THAT the departure of Almeida would at last free him to fulfill his duties as governor of India, he was mistaken. Dom Fernando Coutinho might have been a relative, but he was also marshal of Portugal, the highest-ranking official yet to visit the Indies, an important personage at the royal court and much in favor there. He now laid before Albuquerque trumping orders from the king, namely to destroy Calicut, still a thorn in the side of the Portuguese and a continuous prick to royal pride. Coutinho had come with a large fleet and the authorization to act independently of the governor, who was requested to help.”
