Luís de Ataíde

Dom Luis de Ataide, Viceroy of Portuguese India

Dom Luís de Ataíde , 3rd Conde (Count) of Atagouia , 1st and only Marquês de Santarem (around 1517 in Portugal ; † March 15, 1581 in Goa , India ) was a Portuguese nobleman and military man, he was the 10th viceroy from Portuguese India 1568 to 1571 and from 1578 to 1581, he was also one of the few governors who held two terms and one of the most powerful viceroys in the history of Portuguese India.

He was Portugal's envoy to the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation under Charles V from 1547 to 1555.

Live and act

Work under Emperor Karl

First he worked as a military and warrior, including in the service of the later Viceroy of India and son of Vasco da Gama , Dom Estêvão da Gama in the fight against French pirates.

He was also active in the service of the German Emperor Charles V, where he was used in battles against the Lutherans , for example in the Battle of Mühlberg where he was present with troops as the official representative of the King of Portugal, with the cavalry . He was also the official Portuguese envoy to the German court between 1547 and 1555, who often met with Emperor Charles V and also with the Duke of Alba .

Time as Viceroy of Portuguese India

During the reign of the young King Dom Sebastian , he was appointed viceroy for the first time in 1568, so that one had a reliable man at the head of the overseas provinces. As Viceroy, he ruled with a hard hand, re-disciplining the army, improving the local navy, securing trade routes and vigorously fighting the pirates and corsairs . He protected the Malabar coast in such a way that it was hardly possible for enemies to even appear there. In 1569 he conquered the cities of Onur and Bracelor for Portugal.

There was a major attack on all Portuguese bases in India, and even the capital Goa was threatened. However, through skillful, tactical maneuvers and good diplomacy, it was possible to repel the attackers and defend the fortresses on the Malabar coast for Portugal under Dom Ataide.

In 1572 he returned to Lisbon . Upon arrival, he was received directly by King Sebastian and a Te Deum was sung to him in a church for his overseas success.

Because of his merits, he was reappointed Viceroy in 1578 to bring order overseas. The death of King Dom Sebastian also shocked the viceroy, but in 1579 he managed to keep Ceylon for Portugal. After the death of the cardinal king Dom Heinrich , he was initially the last classical viceroy of Portuguese India for the next sixty years. He had plans for an overthrow in Portugal and wanted to help the pretender Dom Antonio to come to the throne, which prevented the invasion of Spain . During his tenure, the first were Jesuits for Mughal emperor Akbar I sent.

Dom Luis died in Goa after a long illness. His bones were initially kept in the Igreja de Reis Magos in Goa, later the bones were transferred to Portugal, first to the Bom Jesus monastery in Peniche , and later to a church in Ajuda.

He was married three times but died childless and had to bequeath his title to a nephew.

Luis de Camões and Andre de Resende celebrated him in poetry. A school is named after him in Peniche and a street in Barreiro .

supporting documents

personal data
SURNAME	Ataíde, Luís de
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Ataide, Luis de; Atagouia, 3rd Conde of; Santarem, 1st and only Marques de
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Portuguese nobleman and military man, Viceroy of Portuguese India
DATE OF BIRTH	around 1517
PLACE OF BIRTH	Portugal
DATE OF DEATH	March 15, 1581
Place of death	Goa , India