Siege of Mangalore (1571)

The night assault

In April 1571, Catiproca's forces attempted to scale the walls of the Portuguese fort under the cover of darkness. The fort was defended by a small Garrison of 15 Portuguese soldiers, along with casados (Portuguese settlers married to local women) and approximately 100 Christian Lascarins. Despite the element of surprise, the attackers were detected, and the Garrison successfully repelled the Assault.

In 1571, the Queen of Ullal, a nearby principality, sought to resist Portuguese domination. She contracted Kutti Pokkar Marakkar, a Malabarese privateer whom the Portuguese referred to as Catiproca Marcá, to capture the fort at Mangalore. Catiproca assembled a force consisting of 8 half-galleys and prepared for a night attack on the fort.

Aftermath

Following the failed night attack, Catiproca reembarked his forces. However, two days later, his fleet encountered the Portuguese fleet led by Dom Diogo de Meneses. Meneses had been dispatched to the Malabar coast specifically to protect allied shipping from pirates. In the ensuing battle, Meneses' fleet decisively defeated and destroyed Catiproca's forces, ensuring the continued Portuguese control over Mangalore.