The Portuguese Conquest of Malacca

During the age of exploration and expansion, Portugal was a huge player in the game of conquest for control of the spice trade. The Indian Ocean had been a busy thoroughfare for centuries; the spice trade had been carried on by sea in the region since the days of the Tang dynasty. In 1510 Admiral Afonso de Albuquerque established his headquarters at Goa, which was located on the western coast of India south of where Bombay is presently located. The Portuguese desired control of Malacca for two reasons. First, it would help destroy the Arab spice trade network by blocking passage through the Straight of Malacca. Second, it would provide the Portuguese with a way station en route to the Spice Islands and other points east.
The Portuguese fleet led by Afonso de Albuquerque attacked and raided Arab sh...