Latest / The Hidden History of Bengal: Kingdoms, Empires, and Revolution — Fexingo History
The Portuguese in Bengal: Pirates, Merchants, and the Fall of the Sultanate
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the shadowy role of the Portuguese in 16th and 17th century Bengal. They arrive as traders, but soon become pirates, mercenaries, and kingmakers. Lucas recounts how the Portuguese — known locally as 'Firingis' — allied with the Arakanese to raid the Sundarbans and the coast of Bengal, capturing thousands as slaves. He tells the story of the Battle of Hooghly in 1632, when Mughal forces under Qasim Khan drove them out. But the Portuguese left a lasting mark: they introduced firearms, new crops like tobacco and chili, and left behind a community…
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