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| Battle of Baçente |
|
|
| Combatants |
| Portugal |
Muslim forces |
| Commanders |
| Christovão da Gama |
unnamed officer of Ahmad Gragn |
| Strength |
| 400 Portuguese musketeers |
1500 archers and "buckler men" |
| Casualties |
| 8 killed, 40 wounded |
practically all killed |
The Battle of Baçente was fought on February 2, 1542 when a Portuguese army under Christovão da Gama took a hillfort held by Muslim forces in northern Ethiopia. The Portuguese suffered minimal casualties, while the defenders were reportedly all killed.
Queen Sabla Wengel advised against this attack, arguing that da Gama should wait until her son the Emperor Gelawdewos could march north from Shewa and join the Portuguese. However, da Gama was concerned that if he marched around this Muslim-held strongpoint, the local peasantry would be disappointed and stop providing supplies for his troops.
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