The coalition had a large fleet under fragmented control. Its order of battle combined Mamluk carracks and galleys, Gujarati vessels, about thirty light galleys from Diu, and perhaps seventy to 150 war boats from Calicut. Amir Husayn lacked money, sold equipment to pay crews, and nominally commanded leaders whose obligations ran to Malik Ayyaz or the Zamorin. The Portuguese brought only eighteen vessels, but their large Atlantic carracks carried heavier and more flexible firepower than oared galleys whose guns were concentrated fore and aft. Numbers alone overstated the coalition's practical combat power.
Notable Point · 55:02-59:16
A large coalition fleet with divided command
At Diu the coalition possessed far more vessels, but its commanders had conflicting priorities, limited money, and an awkward mix of carracks, galleys, and smaller craft.