ABSTRACT
Inviewofthepolitical,strategicandcommercialimportanceof Hormuz,thePortuguesemadeitoneoftheirmostimportantcitiesin theLevantandstrovetobringitundertheircontrol.Perceivingthat directoccupationmightonlyleadtotheruinationofthecityand bringharmtoitstrade,Albuquerquepreferredapolicyofindirect rule.In1507herequiredtherulerofHormuztorecognisethe authorityofthePortuguesethroneoverhimandhiskingdom,andto payanannualtax,atfirst15,000ashrafis,butby1528risingto 60,000.Thispatronagewasonlyaformality,sinceallpowerwasin thehandsofPortugueseofficialswhohadcometocontroltheisland rulersandtheirwealth.
