Tobacco is grown among the coral ruins of old Pate town.Pate was established by Arabs from Arabia in the 13th century, or possibly earlier. By the time Portuguese seafarers reached there in the 16th century, the place was in decline although it was still famous for making silk cloth. The final blow to its importance and independence was brought about by the Sultan of Zanzibar in 1865 when he defeated the army of the ruling family who fled the island. The place has never regained its former glory.