 As Muslims and other peoples constantly attacked Portuguese fleets in India, and because India was so far from mainland Portugal, it was extremely difficult for John III to secure Portuguese dominion in this area.A viceroy (or Governor-General with extensive powers) was nominated, but this was not enough to defend the Portuguese possessions in India.The Portuguese started by creating "feitorias" – commercial strongholds in Cochin, Cannanore, Coulão, Cranganore and Tanor – with the initial objective of establishing just a commercial dominion in the region.