Siege of Jailolo (1550)

The Siege of Jailolo (1550) was a military conflict between the Kingdom of Portugal, with the support of the Sultanate of Ternate, and the Sultanate of Jailolo.

Siege of Jailolo (1550)
Map of Gilolo Island
Date 1550 Location Jailolo (town), Moluccas Result Portuguese victory
Belligerents
Portuguese Empire Sultanate of Ternate	Sultanate of Jailolo
Commanders and leaders
Bernaldim de Sousa Balthasar Velloso Prince of Batjan	King of Jailolo Prince of Jailolo
Strength
180 Portuguese soldiers 5,000 allied men from Ternate and Batjan	1,200 soldiers Large quantity of cannons
Casualties and losses
18 Portuguese killed	300 killed Many wounded

Background

Bernaldim de Sousa, a Portuguese commander, led an expedition to Jailolo with 180 soldiers, supported by the King of Ternate and the Prince of Batjan, with 5,000 men to the effort. Their objective was to destroy a fortress being built by the King of Jailolo, which posed a threat to Portuguese interests in the region.

Ambush

As Bernaldim de Sousa's forces approached Jailolo, they encountered strong resistance. Balthasar Velloso, leading the vanguard, was ambushed by a force under the Prince of Jailolo, who had concealed his men in a carefully laid trap. Despite the surprise attack, Velloso managed to rally his troops and defend his position with remarkable courage. His forces inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, forcing the attackers to retreat. Meanwhile, Bernaldim de Sousa was also engaged by the forces of Jailolo but succeeded in driving them back into the fortress.

The Siege

Following these clashes, Bernaldim de Sousa laid siege to the fortress of Jailolo. He cut off the water supply and blockaded the stronghold, preventing any resupply. The siege lasted for three months, with both sides suffering significant losses. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the defenders of Jailolo held out with remarkable tenacity, enduring starvation and a lack of resources. Finally, their provisions exhausted, the defenders were forced to capitulate. The Portuguese entered the fortress in the presence of the King, committing numerous atrocities during the sacking of the stronghold, killing 300 of them, and 18 of their own, with the number of wounded being greater still. The fortress itself was razed to the ground.

Aftermath

After the siege, the Jailolo were forced to capitulate and agree on harsh treaty for peace, with such hard terms that the King of Jailolo was compelled to give up his royal title and accepting the role as governor, and paying a tribute. The king later died from grief, and was succeeded by his son, Cachilguzarate.

Sources

• Denvers, Frederick Charles (1894). History of the Portuguese in India.