Malik Ayyaz

Malik Ayyaz, called Meliqueaz by the Portuguese, was a naval officer and governor of the city of Diu, in the mouth of the Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay), circa 1507–1509 under the rule of Gujarat Sultanate.

At that time Gujarati were important middlemen in the trade with Red Sea, Egypt, and Malacca, and when the Portuguese threatened this field, the Sultan put the defense in the hands of Meliqueaz.

Joined by Meliqueaz they fought and won the Battle of Chaul against Lourenço de Almeida, son of the Portuguese viceroy.

Enraged at the death of his son, the Portuguese viceroy Francisco de Almeida sought revenge.

[4] The viceroy then wrote to Meliqueaz, stating his intention of revenge and that they better join all forces and prepare to fight, or he would destroy Diu: I the Viceroy say to you, honored Meliqueaz captain of Diu, that I go with my men to this city of yours, taking the people who were welcomed there, that in Chaul fought my people, and killed a man who was called my son, and I come with hope in God of Heaven to take revenge on them and on those who assist them, and if I don't find them I will take your city, to pay for everything, and you, for the help you have done at Chaul, this I tell you, so that you are well aware that I go, as I am now on this island of Bombay, as it will tell you the one who this letter brings.