Capture of Hormuz | |||||||||
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Part of Safavid–Portuguese conflicts | |||||||||
![]() The taking of Hormuz by Imam Quli Khan and his army (Latin inscription round the fortress). From a Jarūnnāmeh by Qadrī. Isfahan style, dated 1697. | |||||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||||
Safavid Persia East India Company | Portugal | ||||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
Imam Quli Khan Captain Blythe | Simão de Melo | ||||||||
Strength | |||||||||
3,000 5 warships 4 pinnaces | 1,000 | ||||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||||
Light |
Light 1,000 captured |
The Capture of Hormuz (Persian: بازپس گیری هرمز) was a combined Anglo-Persian expedition that successfully captured the Portuguese garrison at Hormuz Island after a ten-week siege, thus opening up Persian trade with England in the Persian Gulf.[1] Before the capture of Hormuz, the Portuguese had held the Castle of Hormuz for more than a century, since 1507 when Afonso de Albuquerque established it in the capture of Hormuz, giving them full control of the trade between India and Europe through the Persian Gulf.[2] According to Stephen Neill, the capture of Hormuz entirely changed the balance of power and trade.[3]