Malik Ayyaz

Who is Malik Ayyaz?

Malik Ayyaz, called Meliqueaz by the Portuguese was a naval officer and governor of the city of Diu, in the mouth of the Gulf of Khambhat, circa 1507-1509 under the rule of Gujarat Sultanate. He was one of the most distinguished warriors of his time.

Meliqueaz was a mamluk of Russian Christian origin, who had been imprisoned and converted Muslim. Taken to India he distinguished at the service of the Sultan Mahmud Begada of Gujarat. At that time Gujarati were important middlemen in the trade with Red Sea, Egypt and Malacca, and when the Portuguese threatened this field, the Sultan put the defense in the hands of Meliqueaz. With the aim at expelling the Portuguese from the Arabian sea, the sultan allied with the zamorin of Khozikode and asked the Mamluk sultanate of Cairo for help. With Ottoman support, the Mamluks prepared then a fleet in the Red Sea.

In March 1508, commanded by Mirocem, the Mamluk fleet arrived at Chaul where they surprised a Portuguese fleet. Joined by Meliqueaz they fought and won the Battle of Chaul against Lourenço de Almeida, son of the Portuguese viceroy who died there, having taken several prisoners. Enraged at the death of his son, the Portuguese viceroy Francisco de Almeida sought revenge. Aware of the danger facing his city, Meliqueaz prepared the defence and wrote to the viceroy, stating that he had the prisoners and how bravely his son had fought, adding a letter from the Portuguese prisoners stating that they were well treated. The viceroy then wrote to Meliqueaz, stating his intention of revenge and that they better join all forces and prepare to fight, or he would destroy Diu: