Nuno da Cunha and the Treaty of Bassein

Nuno da Cunha was a prominent Portuguese administrator who served as the Governor of Portuguese India from 1529 to 1538, during the early period of European expansion in Asia. His tenure marked a significant consolidation of Portuguese power along the western coast of India, particularly through strategic diplomacy and territorial control. One of his most notable achievements was the negotiation of the Treaty of Bassein (1534), which played a pivotal role in extending Portuguese influence in the Indian subcontinent.

Background

By the early sixteenth century, the Portuguese had already established major trading bases along India’s western coast, including Goa, Diu, and Daman. Their presence was driven by the desire to control the lucrative spice trade and to secure maritime routes against other European powers and regional Indian states.
When Nuno da Cunha arrived in India as Governor, the Portuguese were facing increasing resistance from regional powers such as the Sultanate of Gujarat and the Ottoman-backed naval forces in the Arabian Sea. The Gujarat Sultanate, under Sultan Bahadur Shah, was one of the most powerful Muslim kingdoms in western India and a dominant maritime rival. Nuno da Cunha’s diplomatic strategy aimed to neutralise this threat and secure Portuguese control over key coastal territories.

Nuno da Cunha’s Administration in India

Nuno da Cunha succeeded Lopo Vaz de Sampaio as Governor in 1529. During his administration, he pursued both military and diplomatic approaches to strengthen Portuguese authority.

• He improved fortifications in Goa and other Portuguese settlements to withstand local resistance and foreign attacks.
• He expanded trade relations with local rulers, often using a combination of pressure and incentives.
• He also attempted to bring peace among Portuguese officials and reduce corruption, although his administration later faced internal controversies.

His tenure was marked by frequent conflict with the Gujarat Sultanate over control of Diu, a strategically located port essential for maritime dominance in the Arabian Sea. After several military confrontations failed to yield decisive results, Nuno da Cunha turned to diplomacy, culminating in the Treaty of Bassein.

The Treaty of Bassein (1534)

The Treaty of Bassein, signed in December 1534 between Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and Nuno da Cunha on behalf of the Portuguese Crown, was a landmark in the history of European expansion in India.
The immediate context of the treaty was the political instability faced by Bahadur Shah. The Sultan was threatened both by the expanding power of the Mughal Emperor Humayun in the north and by internal revolts within his kingdom. Seeking Portuguese naval support against potential Mughal aggression, Bahadur Shah entered into an alliance with the Portuguese.
Under the treaty’s terms:

• The Sultan of Gujarat ceded the port town of Bassein (Vasai), located north of Bombay (Mumbai), along with its surrounding territories and islands, to the Portuguese.
• The Portuguese were granted permission to construct fortifications in Bassein and to establish permanent control over the harbour and nearby islands.
• The Sultan also agreed to allow the Portuguese free trade and navigation rights within his dominions.
• In return, the Portuguese agreed to provide naval assistance to Bahadur Shah against his enemies, particularly the Mughals.

This treaty represented a significant diplomatic triumph for Nuno da Cunha and the Portuguese Crown, as it provided them with one of the most strategically valuable ports on India’s western coast.

Significance of the Treaty

The acquisition of Bassein and its adjoining islands gave the Portuguese a strong maritime foothold in the region. The area later became a vital link in the Portuguese trade network, connecting Goa with other settlements such as Daman and Diu. Bassein’s natural harbour and proximity to the Arabian Sea made it a major naval base and a thriving commercial centre.
The treaty also enabled the Portuguese to expand their influence into the northern Konkan region, encompassing areas that would later include the islands of Bombay, Salsette, and Elephanta. These territories remained under Portuguese control until 1739, when they were captured by the Marathas.
From a broader perspective, the Treaty of Bassein symbolised the increasing use of diplomacy and treaty-based alliances by European powers to gain control over Indian territories. Unlike earlier conquests achieved solely through military force, this agreement demonstrated how local rulers, facing internal and external pressures, could become partners in European expansion.

Decline of Nuno da Cunha’s Authority

Despite his achievements, Nuno da Cunha’s later years in office were marked by growing controversy. Accusations of administrative mismanagement and personal misconduct reached the Portuguese court. He was eventually recalled to Lisbon in 1538, but he died at sea during his return voyage near the Cape of Good Hope.
Nevertheless, his legacy in Indian history remains significant. The acquisition of Bassein under his governorship was one of the most enduring accomplishments of the early Portuguese Empire in India, securing their dominance along the western coastline for more than two centuries.

Historical Importance

Nuno da Cunha’s governorship and the Treaty of Bassein collectively represent a crucial phase in the evolution of European colonial strategies in India. They highlight the shift from purely military conquest to a more sophisticated combination of diplomacy, strategic alliance, and maritime control.