Qeshm Island, the largest in Iran, is located in the Strait of Hormuz
The strait that is now on the lips of the world due to the conflict in Iran has a history intertwined with the colonial era, being a crossing point for Portuguese navigators heading to India.
In a chronicle from the 16th century, the Portuguese historian João de Barros (1496-1570) described Hormuz as a city situated “almost in the throat of the strait of the Persian Sea”. He noted that the island was “very barren, largely a salt and sulfur minewithout a branch or a green herb growing naturally on it.”
“The city is magnificent in its buildings and prosperous in commerce, as it is a stopover where eastern and western goods arrive,” he wrote. “Although the island produces nothing, through trade it has all the cherished things in the world.” He added that the inhabitants said that “the world is a ring and Hormuz is a precious stone set in it”.
Today once again at the center of global geopolitics, the Strait of Hormuz was part of the Portuguese conquests from five centuries agoduring the period of the Great Navigations. However, unlike what happened in the colonies, the Portuguese presence there was less lasting.
The interest was mainly strategic. The Portuguese built a fortress and used the city on the island of Gerum as a support point for boats towards the empire’s territories in the Indian Ocean. Despite being arid and without drinking water, Gerum has become a cosmopolitan city due to its privileged geographical position.
At the time, coastal shipping predominated, with trips close to the coast and several refueling stops. Therefore, controlling strategic points and commercial warehouses was essential to guarantee the functioning of the routes.
The main mark of this presence is the Fort of Our Lady of Conceptionbegun in 1515. Its ruins still exist and reveal the influence of Portuguese military architecture.
Millennial importance
There are records of Hormuz from at least the 2nd century, which were already commercially relevant. Initially it was located in interior of the Persian empireon the banks of the Minab River, being conquered by Muslims in the 7th century.
In the 14th century, after Mongol attacks that destroyed the original city, the population moved to the island of Gerum. The decision proved to be correct: from then on, Hormuz established itself as a commercial and political power in the strait, extending its influence to several islands in the Persian Gulf, such as Bahrain, and coastal cities such as Muscat.
Routes passed through Hormuz that linked Asia to Europeas well as important intra-Asian circuits, connecting regions such as Mesopotamia, Persia, India and Southeast Asia. It was, in practice, a small kingdom with enormous economic relevance.
Portuguese interest
The importance of Hormuz was recognized by the Portuguese when Vasco da Gama’s journeyin 1498. The city was a key point in the Indian Ocean trade networks, linking sea routes and land caravans.
Hormuz dominated coastal territories on both the Persian and Arab sides, as well as several islands. Among the most profitable businesses was the horse tradeexported to India in exchange for gold. As the animals did not breed well in the Indian climate, there was constant demand.
Other exported products included silver, pearls, sulfur, silk, salt and spices. In return, Hormuz imported rice and aromatic products that were highly appreciated in the region.
The king of Hormuz maintained an agreement with the shah of Persia, paying tribute in exchange for the protection of commercial caravans. For Portugal, controlling Hormuz meant accessing one of the richest commercial networks in the world.
Under Portuguese rule
In 1505, King Manuel I ordered diplomatic attempts to subdue Hormuz. The objective was to control trade between Europe and the East and weaken Islamic economic power.
The conquest was entrusted to Afonso de Albuquerque. In 1507, after taking several positions on the coast, he reached Gerum and quickly subdued the city. An agreement was then established that provided for the construction of a Portuguese fortress.
However, the understanding was ambiguous: the Portuguese saw the local king as a subordinate, while the Ormuzians interpreted the agreement only as commercial freedom. Conflicts led Albuquerque to temporarily abandon the site.
In 1515, he returned in a more favorable context, taking advantage of internal divisions. The city was then easily submitted. Hormuz became a vassal state under Portuguese protectionintegrated into the State of India.
Portugal started to control the commercial flow between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean, with the collection of taxes and ensuring control of the spice routes. The fortress was completed and consolidated Portuguese power.
During this period, Hormuz prospered as a link between East and West. However, its strategic position also made it the target of disputes, especially from the Ottoman Empire.
Domain downfall
Portuguese control lasted until the 17th century. During the Iberian Union (1580-1640), Hormuz was the target of Persian attacks with English support.
In 1622, a force numbering thousands of men surrounded the fortress. Despite proposals for financial compensation, the Portuguese refused to give in. After months of fighting and blockade, they eventually surrendered.
Thus ended the Portuguese presence in the Persian Gulf, closing an important chapter in Portugal’s maritime expansion.
