Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part B (2025)

In 1507 at the start of the 16th century Portuguese authorities established their control of Arabian Gulf ports following their entrance into the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf region. The beginning of Portuguese control over Arabian Gulf ports occurred as Portugal executed their maritime trade route domination strategy with Europe and Asia. Dominating crucial ports served as a key strategy for the Portuguese to maintain their trade operations between Europe, India and China. The maritime trade sector of the region faced competition between Portugal and Islamic along with Ottoman powers which controlled separate sections of commercial activities.
Portugal took control of Hormuz Island during 1515 because it offered strategic oversight of the critical Strait of Hormuz trade route. Through military operations the Portuguese built forts and castles throughout different Gulf coast regions for establishing their control. The built fortifications served two main strategic goals of defending sea lanes while safeguarding Portuguese commercial caravan operations.
The presence of Portuguese forces in the Arabian Gulf region substantially affected both economic affairs and trading activities in the region. Their control threatened the maritime trade authority of both Mamluks and Ottomans as they battled for supremacy in trading activities. Maritime populations under Portuguese rule including the Omanis and other regional authorities actively fought back during the whole duration of Portuguese occupation.