Latest / The History of Portugal: The Small Nation That Built a Global Empire — Fexingo History
The Secret Weapons of the Portuguese Empire: The Janízados
In the 16th century, Portugal faced a constant shortage of soldiers to defend its sprawling Asian empire. Their solution was surprising: they enlisted local converts and captives as soldiers, known as janízados. These troops, drawn from Sri Lankan Sinhalese, Gujarati mercenaries, and even former slaves, became the backbone of garrisons from Goa to Malacca. But trust was fragile. We explore the mutiny of 1560 in Colombo, the rise of Captain-General D. Constantino de Bragança, and the delicate balance of power between Portuguese commanders and native troops. Through the lens of the janízados…
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