In 1511, the governor of Portuguese India Afonso de Albuquerque captured the Malay city of Malacca.

Sultan of Malacca Mahmud Shah fled with his forces to Bintan Island and established his rule there.

In 1521, the Captain of Malacca Jorge de Albuquerque made preparations to attack the island of Bintan, he mustered a force of 600 men and 18 ships[3][4] he was joined by Antonio de Brito who was already in Pasai reinforcing the fortress with 3 ships and leaving some men there in case of attack[5][6] Bintan was about 40 leagues from Malacca, the island was difficult to approach and well fortified,[7] having two strong fortresses at its river prevented any access of ships.

[8] The Portuguese reached Bintan in October,[9][10] Jorge, finding it impossible to get his ships up the river, ordered his men to land and attack one of the forts.

The rising waters and the stiff resistance of the garrison led to the attack being repulsed with 20 Portuguese killed and a great number wounded.