> Explorers for Kids. During the next 30 years (till 1445 CE), he was in command of the world’s largest fleet, funded by the Ming emperor, sailed to the east coast of Africa into the Persian Gulf. A detachment of the fleet cruised southward down the coast of Arabia, visiting Dhofar (Oman) and Aden (Yemen). The tribute, usually far less valuable than the goods which the emperors gave out, had always been a badge of approval to the Chinese, indicative that their emperor was indeed the Son of Heaven and the most powerful ruler on earth. Manchu. These voyages traveled through the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and along the east coast of Africa. In the shift of policy his successor, the Hongxi emperor, suspended naval expeditions abroad. He introduced gold and silk to some of these regions. Zheng He was the best known of the Yongle emperor’s diplomatic agents. Cite This Work His grandfather was a noble from the Mongolian tribe and once made a pilgrimage to Mecca. This time he also found time to stop off at the Maldive Islands, before crossing the Arabian Sea and reaching Hormuz on the Persian Gulf. His seven total voyages were diplomatic, military, and trading ventures, and lasted from 1405 – 1433. Zheng He's seventh and final voyage left China in the winter of 1431. Zheng He organized this expedition but did not actually lead it in person. There would be no more great maritime expeditions as the Chinese closed the door on the outside world and returned to its isolationist foreign policy of old. Zheng He was Risk Taking when he travelled to a lot of places where he didn't know and had to talk to people of other places when trading goods and luxurious items. 28,000 … Professor of History, University of California, Davis, 1969–76. The return journey of the first expedition, for example, saw Zheng He capture the pirate Ch’en Tsu-i, who had caused havoc in the Malacca Straits and beyond, a feat which greatly enhanced the admiral’s reputation in Southeast Asia. Yet, in their wake, Chinese emigration increased, resulting in Chinese colonization in Southeast Asia and the accompanying tributary trade, which lasted until the 19th century. He visited the states of Southeast Asia, the coast of India, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the east coast of Africa. Zheng He and Chinese Exploration Depicted to the right is a comparison of one Admiral Zheng's massive treasure junks to the Santa Maria that carried Columbus. Author of. Admiral Zheng He was commissioned to command the treasure fleet for the expeditions. The massive fleet of 317 ships had been under construction since 1403 CE and included 62 baochuan, then the largest ships in the world. These Chinese junks, also known as ‘treasure ships’, were perhaps up to 55 metres (180 ft) in length and 8.5 metres (28 ft) wide (although the exact dimensions are disputed amongst historians). He was then conscripted into the army commanded by a Ming prince, none other than the future emperor Yongle. On his final voyage, Zheng He diverted from his fleet on his personal hajj to Mecca. By 1390, under the command of the prince of Yan, he had distinguished himself as a junior officer—skilled in war and diplomacy and having made influential friends at court. On his return in 1411 he touched at Samudra, on the northern tip of Sumatra. Put simply, many foreign states, although interested in the trading possibilities, did not quite agree that China, the self-styled Middle Kingdom, was the centre of the world; a view confirmed by the opening up of the New World at the other end of the same century that Zheng He had begun his voyages. In 1424 the Yongle emperor died. Asked by Wiki User. After stopping at the principal ports of Asia, he proceeded westward from India to Hormuz. The emperor even went so far as to ban the construction of any ocean-going ships and prohibit those that existed from being used for voyages beyond Chinese coastal waters. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/article/1334/. Yongle’s successor, Xuande (r. 1426-36 CE) had initially supported Zheng’s continuing voyages but he eventually put an end to the costly expeditions. Zheng He’s fourth voyage in 1413 CE saw him sail to India again, once more pushing on around the southern tip of the subcontinent and visiting again Cochin and Calicut on the west coast. From Africa, Zheng He brought back such exotica as lions, leopards, camels, ostriches, rhinos, zebras, and giraffes. Menzies says that the Chinese map, found in a bookstore and created in the 18 th century, is attributed to Chinese Admiral Zheng He and shows a detailed map of America dating back to 1418. Zheng He was from a Hui (Chinese Muslim) family. Sailing down the coast of Arabia, he then went on to Aden and up the Red Sea to Jeddah, from where a party travelled to Mecca. Traditional and popular accounts of Zheng He's voyages have described a great fleet of gigantic ships far larger than any other wooden ships in history. Later in life, he developed an interest in Buddhist teachings. He visited the states of Southeast Asia, the coast of India, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the east coast of Africa. More secure on his imperial throne, and having grabbed it in the first place after a three-year civil war, Yongle perhaps sought some international legitimacy for his position as emperor. The system had lapsed during the Mongol Yuan dynasty (1276-1368 CE) but Yongle wanted to revive it. Chinese travelers abroad, as well as Indian and Muslim visitors, widened the geographic horizon of the Chinese. Books Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The great admiral died in Calicut in 1433 CE, and his body was returned to China for burial in Nanjing. Between 1405 and 1433 CE Zheng He commanded huge fleets loaded with trade goods and high-value gifts to such far-flung places as Hormuz in the Persian Gulf and Mogadishu in East Africa. The grand project resulted in seven far-reaching ocean voyages to the coastal territories and islands in and around the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, and beyond. Zheng died in Calicut in the spring of 1433, and the fleet returned to China that summer. A report states that 19 foreign rulers sent tributes and diplomatic missions to the emperor as a consequence of this fourth voyage. Zheng He was a Chinese explorer who lead seven great voyages on behalf of the Chinese emperor. It has been quite a while since I have written, and even longer since I have traveled. Why did sea voyages for exploration come to … The young Ma Sanbao (later Ma He), as he was then known, was among the boys who were captured, castrated, and sent into the army as orderlies. Zheng He did not travel looking to conquer and kill but instead to show the might and wealth of the Ming Empire. Zheng He (or Ma Sanbao) (1371-1433 AD) was a court eunuch, marine explorer and fleet admiral, born into an adventurous Muslim family in Kunyang of Yunnan Province. In any case, the original aim of the voyages - to secure foreign tribute - was largely unsuccessful outside of Southeast Asia. Another possible motive, at least for the earlier voyages to Southeast Asia, may have been to discover the whereabouts of the deposed emperor Jianwen (r. 1398-1402) and so ensure he did not stir up a rebellion to take back his throne from his usurper Yongle. Zheng died in Calicut in the spring of 1433, and the fleet returned to China that summer. Zheng He returned to China in 1407. Zheng He’s initial trip took him from the South China Sea through the Indian Ocean to Calicut, India, and back. Zheng was then selected by the emperor to be commander in chief of what became a series of missions to the “Western Oceans.” He first set sail in 1405, commanding 62 ships and 27,800 men. Admiral Zheng He (aka Cheng Ho, c. 1371-1433 CE) was a Chinese Muslim eunuch explorer who was sent by the Ming dynasty emperor Yongle (r. 1403-1424 CE) on seven diplomatic missions to increase trade and secure tribute from foreign powers. These and other actions only strengthened the view that China was the chief power in the region and its greatest source of stability. His voyages had the effect of extending China’s political sway over maritime Asia for half a century. The fleet visited Champa (now in southern Vietnam), Siam (Thailand), Malacca (Melaka), and the island of Java and then through the Indian Ocean to Calicut (Kozhikode) on the Malabar Coast of India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Zheng He and his 317 ship and nearly 30,000 crew fleet set sail from the Liujiagan Port in the Jiangsu Province in China, and they sailed as far as... See full answer below. Zheng He or Ma He (Chinese 郑和; 1371–1433) was an explorer, diplomat, and admiral from China.He lived during the Ming Dynasty.Zheng He was the leader of a very large fleet of ships that traveled all over the Indian Ocean and Southwest Asia.Zheng He was an eunuch of China's Imperial Court.The fleet that Zheng He commanded had 317 ships that were very large. On his return to China in 1415, Zheng He brought the envoys of more than 30 states of South and Southeast Asia to pay homage to the Chinese emperor. License. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2021) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. It also confirmed the Chinese vanity that their own culture was superior to all others. The Seven Voyages of Zheng Heby Vmenkov (CC BY). Ma He quickly became a eunuch of great influence in the Yongle court. His travels may not have brought much success in terms of new trade or lasting tribute to the imperial court but the knowledge, ideas, and exotic goods he brought back home - from jewels to giraffes - created an interest in foreign countries and a realisation of their wealth which contributed to China’s increased role in world trade in later centuries. Top Answer. Not until 1431 was Zheng He sent on the final voyage, which once again traveled to ports stretching from Asia to Arabia and eastern Africa. ", Wade, G. "THE ZHENG HE VOYAGES: A REASSESSMENT. He traveled with over 60 other ships, some of which were over 400 feet long, known as treasure ships. He commanded seven naval expeditions almost a century before the Portuguese reached India by sailing around the southern tip of Africa. Zheng died in Calicut in the spring of 1433, and the fleet returned to China that summer. Cartwright, Mark. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Zheng He was the best known of the Yongle emperor’s diplomatic agents. Bibliography Recommended Annotation Visible only to you A sixth voyage was launched in 1421 to take home the foreign emissaries from China. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Zheng He did command the third voyage (1409-1411) with 48 large ships and 30,000 troops, visiting many of the same places as on the first voyage but also traveling to Malacca … In 1405 a Chinese Muslim eunuch, Zheng He, launched the first of seven voyages west from China across the Indian Ocean. Cartwright, M. (2019, February 07). Under the Yongle administration (1402–24), the war-devastated economy of China was soon restored. Between 1405 and 1433, Ming China sent out seven gigantic naval expeditions under the command of Zheng He the great eunuch admiral. "The Seven Voyages of Zheng He." by National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (CC BY-NC-ND). Large ships, overseas travel, contact with most foreigners. The fleet visited towns along the east coast of Africa of what are now Somalia and Kenya and almost reached the Mozambique Channel. Goods shipped out included silk, tea, painted scrolls, gold and silver objects, textiles, carved and manufactured goods, and fine Ming porcelain. The return to isolationism may have been due to the increased threat from the Mongols, and the huge expense of rebuilding parts of the Great Wall of China likely called for some cutbacks elsewhere. What Prompted the End of the Treasure Fleet? Yongle would dispatch many diplomatic missions across land routes to such places as Samarkand and Tibet but the man selected to lead the emperor’s most important maritime forays into foreign diplomacy was Zheng He. Mecca is the most sacred site in the Muslim world. An extensive seaborne commerce had developed to meet the taste of the Chinese for spices and aromatics and the need for raw industrial materials. By 1405 CE Zheng He was an admiral in the imperial fleet, and he was selected by the emperor to lead a fleet across the Indian Ocean to explore the possibilities of new tributary states and bring them into the sphere of Chinese influence. Answer: Zheng He traveled by ship. China had what it needed. Zheng He was appointed garrison commander in Nanjing, with the task of disbanding his troops. Zheng He, like many great explorers before and since, died in the middle of an expedition, his seventh voyage. What better way to convince the powerful officials of the imperial bureaucracy that he was the chosen one than having foreign ambassadors prostrate themselves in the Forbidden City and offer up a handsome sample of the riches of their country? His seven total voyages were diplomatic, military, and trading ventures, and lasted from 1405 – 1433. These enormous treasure junks were commanded by the great admiral, Zheng He. explorer Born: c. 1371 Birthplace: China An admiral in the Imperial Chinese navy, Zheng He made seven voyages to Southeast Asia, India, and Africa to explore and trade.In 1405 Zheng made his first trip, sailing to Vietnam and India with a fleet of Chinese boats known as junks. The ruler of Mogadishu was responsive and did send an embassy to Yongle, and even distant Zanzibar was reached by Zheng He’s fleet. The Ming court then sought to display its naval power to bring the maritime states of South and Southeast Asia in line. isolationism. Zheng He's Pilgrimage to Mecca The holy city of Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia, was the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed, the founder of Islam. One of the enduring symbols of the Ming dynasty’s eagerness to extend international relations under its third emperor, Yongle, is the seven sea voyages of Zheng He. His father was a hajji, a Muslim who had made the hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca. Undeterred, Zheng He abducted the king and brought him in person back to the Chinese imperial court, where he was later released after promising to pay regular tributes, which he did do. The scale of the fleets involved has also led some scholars to suggest the expeditions were rather more interested in some form of colonialism than mere diplomacy and trade, but this view is not widely held. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. On his fourth voyage Zheng He left China in 1413. Technological developments in shipbuilding and in the arts of seafaring reached new heights by the beginning of the Ming. But while his name may be … Become a … Ma also had made influential friends at court. "The Seven Voyages of Zheng He." The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. The Ming Dynasty fell to invaders who began the Qing Dynasty. Zheng He's fleets were active in much of the Old World, travelling from China as far west as Kenya, Somalia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. How far did Zheng He travel? Zheng He's Travel Journal: Blog Bibliography Top Moments Seventh Voyage. Aiming to spread the word of the Chinese emperor's might and open Chinese trade to new markets, Zheng He traveled as far as the east coast of Africa. Soon after he ascended the throne, the emperor conferred on Ma the surname Zheng, and he was henceforth known as Zheng He. ". Ma Ho’s talents saw him progress through the ranks, being selected as the head eunuch and becoming an important support to Yongle’s claim for the throne. Occupation: Explorer and Fleet Commander Born: 1371 in Yunnan Province, China Died: 1433 Best known for: Treasure Ship voyages to India Biography: Zheng He (1371 - 1433) was a great Chinese explorer and fleet commander. Zheng He was a Chinese eunuch and explorer who commanded the Ming dynasty's "treasure fleet" of trading vessels on expeditions between 1405 and 1433. This is known history. He was raised in Yunnan, China. His family claimed descent from an early Mongol governor of Yunnan province in southwestern China as well as from King Muḥammad of Bukhara (now in Uzbekistan). Updates? The emperor’s purpose for this expedition seems to have been to obtain recognition and gifts from other rulers. Related Content Many of the vessels, built at the shipyards of Nanjing, were equipped with such innovations as water-tight compartments, sternpost rudders, magnetic compasses and paper charts and maps. At issue are the seven voyages of Zheng He, whose ships sailed the Pacific and Indian Oceans from 1405 to 1433. Wherever he landed, Zheng He led a delegation to the local ruler to whom he presented messages of goodwill and China’s peaceful intentions towards them. Traditionally, Tribute from abroad had confirmed the Chinese vanity that their own culture was superior to all others. In their wake, Chinese emigration increased, resulting in Chinese colonization in Southeast Asia and the accompanying tributary trade, which lasted until the 19th century. Zheng He, Wade-Giles romanization Cheng Ho, original name Ma Sanbao, later Ma He, (born c. 1371, Kunyang, near Kunming, Yunnan province, China—died 1433, Calicut [now Kozhikode], India), admiral and diplomat who helped extend the maritime and commercial influence of China throughout the regions bordering the Indian Ocean. Admittedly, they did not, like similar voyages of European merchant-adventurers, lead to the establishment of trading empires. By signing up, you'll get thousands of step-by-step solutions to your homework questions. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Living in a region of China that was then controlled by the Mongols, Ma Ho was captured by Ming forces at the age of ten. During Zheng He’s fifth voyage (1417–19), the Ming fleet revisited the Persian Gulf and the east coast of Africa. Zheng He is the first attested Chinese to visit the Swahili coast. Again he visited Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and Africa. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. Britannica now has a site just for parents! These included diplomats, medical officers, astrologers, ship’s crews, and military personnel which, along with canons, bombs, and rockets, ensured the expedition could ably defend itself wherever it ventured. For some 300 years the Chinese had been extending their power out to sea. He contracted an illness, and whether he successfully returned to China or died during his return is unknown. He sailed to Thailand, Java, Brunei, Arabia and India. He went via Southeast Asia, sailing down the coast of Vietnam, stopping at Sumatra and Java and then on through the Malay Archipelago and through the Straits of Malacca, crossing the eastern Indian Ocean to reach India and Sri Lanka. He went on seven major expeditions to explore the world for the Chinese emperor and to establish Chinese trade in new … Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. The Ming government chose to adopt a policy of _____. Zheng He. Last modified February 07, 2019. Many rulers took up the offer immediately and delegates were accommodated on Zheng He’s ships to be eventually taken to China on the return voyage. He also traded in porcelain and silver. The Kangnido map(1402) predates Zheng He's voyages, and suggests that he had quite detailed geographical information on the totality of the Old World, from Europe and Africa in the west, to Korea and Japan in the east. He was also a Inquirer when he was determined to find places which were not discovered and was determined to go onto the voyages to trade with others. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. After his voyages ended, China turned inwards once again ended its brief … Zheng He is renowned today as a great explorer, honoured by both Chinese and Muslims throughout South East Asia. In 1381 Yunnan was reconquered by Ming dynasty forces, and he was captured, castrated, and sent into the army. "The Western Ocean" refers to the Asianand Africanplaces Zheng He explored, including: Explanation: Zheng He (1371 - 1433) was a Chinese explorer who commanded many fleets in behalf of China. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 07 Feb 2019. In exchange, he brought back fuel, building materials and other exotic artifacts. In October 1409 Zheng He set out on his third voyage. When Yongle won a three-year civil war and became emperor in 1403 CE, Ma Ho was given the new name of Zeng He (aka Cheng Ho). This time, going beyond the seaports of India, he sailed to Hormuz on the Persian Gulf. 1/4/1431 Death of the Yongle Emperor. Born into a Muslim peasant family in Yunnan province in southern China c. 1371 CE, his family-given name was Ma Ho. Omissions? Wiki User Answered . The most grandiose claims for Zheng He's 1405 fleet are entirely based on a calculation derived from an account written three centuries later and were accepted as fact by one modern writer but rejected by most naval experts: Even if his wake was not immediately followed, Zheng He had shown the way. Zheng He sailed westward and reached Africa. The family name Ma was derived from the Chinese rendition of Muḥammad. Over a period of almost three decades in the early 15th century, Ming China sent out a fleet the likes of which the world had never seen. By 1390, when those troops were placed under the command of the prince of Yan, Ma He had distinguished himself as a junior officer, skilled in war and diplomacy. Chinese Junk Shipby National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (CC BY-NC-ND). The traditional presentation of tribute to Chinese emperors by other, smaller states in Southeast Asia was given to prevent invasion or achieve a theoretical promise of protection in the case of invasion by a third party or because diplomatic missions giving that tribute were permitted to conduct trade while in China. Exploring the lands around the Indian Ocean. Zheng He was unusually tall for his time period, standing at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters). Zheng He was a Chinese explorer who lead seven great voyages on behalf of the Chinese emperor. Solved: How did Zheng He travel? The expense of the expeditions and the goods they carried did not match the value of the tributes that came in return. 2009-09-11 03:55:13. Cost very expensive, belief that. Web. These animals caused wonder back in China, where the giraffe, for example, was considered living evidence of the qilin, a sort of Chinese unicorn which represented good fortune. The junks Zheng had in his fleet would not have been significantly different from those described as follows by the famed Muslim traveller from Tangier Ibn Battuta (1304 - c. 1368 CE): The large ships have anything from twelve down to three sails made of bamboo rods plaited like mats. Zheng He was a member of the Hui, a minority group in China that is predominantly Muslim. Zheng He's fleet always knew where it was going, unlike the slightly later explorer, Christopher Columbus. After the death of my dear friend, the Yongle Emperor, our voyages have momentarily paused. A Chinese mission visited Mecca and continued to Egypt. The first three voyages of Zheng He (1404, 1408 and 1409 CE) followed more established trade routes. Together, Zheng He and his armada made seven epic voyages from the port at Nanjing to India, Arabia, and even East Africa. Submitted by Mark Cartwright, published on 07 February 2019 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Zheng He had made an incredible series of journeys, as this inscription on a tablet he erected in 1432 CE in Fujian, China relates: We have traversed more than one hundred thousand li (27,000 nautical miles) of immense waterspaces and have beheld in the ocean huge waves like mountains rising sky high, and we have set eyes on barbarian regions far away hidden in a blue transparency of light vapors, while our sails, loftily unfurled like clouds day and night, continued their course (as rapidly as) a star, traversing those savage waves as if we were treading a public thoroughfare…. Voyages five, six, and seven (1417, 1421, and 1431 CE) reached even further afield, landing at Mogadishu, Malindi, and Mombassa, all on the coast of East Africa. We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications: Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University and Michigan State University and University of Missouri. Effect of extending China ’ s second Pre-Columbian Chinese... Creative Commons,. Value of the Chinese had been extending their power out to sea tall... Other rulers the principal ports of Asia, He sailed to Thailand,,! Extending China ’ s diplomatic agents his troops well as Indian and visitors... Yunnan was reconquered by Ming Dynasty forces, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica license unless otherwise noted invaders who the. 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These voyages traveled through the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and along the east coast of Africa. In the shift of policy his successor, the Hongxi emperor, suspended naval expeditions abroad. He introduced gold and silk to some of these regions. Zheng He was the best known of the Yongle emperor’s diplomatic agents. Cite This Work His grandfather was a noble from the Mongolian tribe and once made a pilgrimage to Mecca. This time he also found time to stop off at the Maldive Islands, before crossing the Arabian Sea and reaching Hormuz on the Persian Gulf. His seven total voyages were diplomatic, military, and trading ventures, and lasted from 1405 – 1433. Zheng He's seventh and final voyage left China in the winter of 1431. Zheng He organized this expedition but did not actually lead it in person. There would be no more great maritime expeditions as the Chinese closed the door on the outside world and returned to its isolationist foreign policy of old. Zheng He was Risk Taking when he travelled to a lot of places where he didn't know and had to talk to people of other places when trading goods and luxurious items. 28,000 … Professor of History, University of California, Davis, 1969–76. The return journey of the first expedition, for example, saw Zheng He capture the pirate Ch’en Tsu-i, who had caused havoc in the Malacca Straits and beyond, a feat which greatly enhanced the admiral’s reputation in Southeast Asia. Yet, in their wake, Chinese emigration increased, resulting in Chinese colonization in Southeast Asia and the accompanying tributary trade, which lasted until the 19th century. He visited the states of Southeast Asia, the coast of India, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the east coast of Africa. Zheng He and Chinese Exploration Depicted to the right is a comparison of one Admiral Zheng's massive treasure junks to the Santa Maria that carried Columbus. Author of. Admiral Zheng He was commissioned to command the treasure fleet for the expeditions. The massive fleet of 317 ships had been under construction since 1403 CE and included 62 baochuan, then the largest ships in the world. These Chinese junks, also known as ‘treasure ships’, were perhaps up to 55 metres (180 ft) in length and 8.5 metres (28 ft) wide (although the exact dimensions are disputed amongst historians). He was then conscripted into the army commanded by a Ming prince, none other than the future emperor Yongle. On his final voyage, Zheng He diverted from his fleet on his personal hajj to Mecca. By 1390, under the command of the prince of Yan, he had distinguished himself as a junior officer—skilled in war and diplomacy and having made influential friends at court. On his return in 1411 he touched at Samudra, on the northern tip of Sumatra. Put simply, many foreign states, although interested in the trading possibilities, did not quite agree that China, the self-styled Middle Kingdom, was the centre of the world; a view confirmed by the opening up of the New World at the other end of the same century that Zheng He had begun his voyages. In 1424 the Yongle emperor died. Asked by Wiki User. After stopping at the principal ports of Asia, he proceeded westward from India to Hormuz. The emperor even went so far as to ban the construction of any ocean-going ships and prohibit those that existed from being used for voyages beyond Chinese coastal waters. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/article/1334/. Yongle’s successor, Xuande (r. 1426-36 CE) had initially supported Zheng’s continuing voyages but he eventually put an end to the costly expeditions. Zheng He’s fourth voyage in 1413 CE saw him sail to India again, once more pushing on around the southern tip of the subcontinent and visiting again Cochin and Calicut on the west coast. From Africa, Zheng He brought back such exotica as lions, leopards, camels, ostriches, rhinos, zebras, and giraffes. Menzies says that the Chinese map, found in a bookstore and created in the 18 th century, is attributed to Chinese Admiral Zheng He and shows a detailed map of America dating back to 1418. Zheng He was from a Hui (Chinese Muslim) family. Sailing down the coast of Arabia, he then went on to Aden and up the Red Sea to Jeddah, from where a party travelled to Mecca. Traditional and popular accounts of Zheng He's voyages have described a great fleet of gigantic ships far larger than any other wooden ships in history. Later in life, he developed an interest in Buddhist teachings. He visited the states of Southeast Asia, the coast of India, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the east coast of Africa. More secure on his imperial throne, and having grabbed it in the first place after a three-year civil war, Yongle perhaps sought some international legitimacy for his position as emperor. The system had lapsed during the Mongol Yuan dynasty (1276-1368 CE) but Yongle wanted to revive it. Chinese travelers abroad, as well as Indian and Muslim visitors, widened the geographic horizon of the Chinese. Books Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The great admiral died in Calicut in 1433 CE, and his body was returned to China for burial in Nanjing. Between 1405 and 1433 CE Zheng He commanded huge fleets loaded with trade goods and high-value gifts to such far-flung places as Hormuz in the Persian Gulf and Mogadishu in East Africa. The grand project resulted in seven far-reaching ocean voyages to the coastal territories and islands in and around the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, and beyond. Zheng died in Calicut in the spring of 1433, and the fleet returned to China that summer. A report states that 19 foreign rulers sent tributes and diplomatic missions to the emperor as a consequence of this fourth voyage. Zheng He was a Chinese explorer who lead seven great voyages on behalf of the Chinese emperor. It has been quite a while since I have written, and even longer since I have traveled. Why did sea voyages for exploration come to … The young Ma Sanbao (later Ma He), as he was then known, was among the boys who were captured, castrated, and sent into the army as orderlies. Zheng He did not travel looking to conquer and kill but instead to show the might and wealth of the Ming Empire. Zheng He (or Ma Sanbao) (1371-1433 AD) was a court eunuch, marine explorer and fleet admiral, born into an adventurous Muslim family in Kunyang of Yunnan Province. In any case, the original aim of the voyages - to secure foreign tribute - was largely unsuccessful outside of Southeast Asia. Another possible motive, at least for the earlier voyages to Southeast Asia, may have been to discover the whereabouts of the deposed emperor Jianwen (r. 1398-1402) and so ensure he did not stir up a rebellion to take back his throne from his usurper Yongle. Zheng died in Calicut in the spring of 1433, and the fleet returned to China that summer. Zheng He returned to China in 1407. Zheng He’s initial trip took him from the South China Sea through the Indian Ocean to Calicut, India, and back. Zheng was then selected by the emperor to be commander in chief of what became a series of missions to the “Western Oceans.” He first set sail in 1405, commanding 62 ships and 27,800 men. Admiral Zheng He (aka Cheng Ho, c. 1371-1433 CE) was a Chinese Muslim eunuch explorer who was sent by the Ming dynasty emperor Yongle (r. 1403-1424 CE) on seven diplomatic missions to increase trade and secure tribute from foreign powers. These and other actions only strengthened the view that China was the chief power in the region and its greatest source of stability. His voyages had the effect of extending China’s political sway over maritime Asia for half a century. The fleet visited Champa (now in southern Vietnam), Siam (Thailand), Malacca (Melaka), and the island of Java and then through the Indian Ocean to Calicut (Kozhikode) on the Malabar Coast of India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Zheng He and his 317 ship and nearly 30,000 crew fleet set sail from the Liujiagan Port in the Jiangsu Province in China, and they sailed as far as... See full answer below. Zheng He or Ma He (Chinese 郑和; 1371–1433) was an explorer, diplomat, and admiral from China.He lived during the Ming Dynasty.Zheng He was the leader of a very large fleet of ships that traveled all over the Indian Ocean and Southwest Asia.Zheng He was an eunuch of China's Imperial Court.The fleet that Zheng He commanded had 317 ships that were very large. On his return to China in 1415, Zheng He brought the envoys of more than 30 states of South and Southeast Asia to pay homage to the Chinese emperor. License. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2021) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. It also confirmed the Chinese vanity that their own culture was superior to all others. The Seven Voyages of Zheng Heby Vmenkov (CC BY). Ma He quickly became a eunuch of great influence in the Yongle court. His travels may not have brought much success in terms of new trade or lasting tribute to the imperial court but the knowledge, ideas, and exotic goods he brought back home - from jewels to giraffes - created an interest in foreign countries and a realisation of their wealth which contributed to China’s increased role in world trade in later centuries. Top Answer. Not until 1431 was Zheng He sent on the final voyage, which once again traveled to ports stretching from Asia to Arabia and eastern Africa. ", Wade, G. "THE ZHENG HE VOYAGES: A REASSESSMENT. He traveled with over 60 other ships, some of which were over 400 feet long, known as treasure ships. He commanded seven naval expeditions almost a century before the Portuguese reached India by sailing around the southern tip of Africa. Zheng died in Calicut in the spring of 1433, and the fleet returned to China that summer. Cartwright, Mark. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Zheng He was the best known of the Yongle emperor’s diplomatic agents. Bibliography Recommended Annotation Visible only to you A sixth voyage was launched in 1421 to take home the foreign emissaries from China. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Zheng He did command the third voyage (1409-1411) with 48 large ships and 30,000 troops, visiting many of the same places as on the first voyage but also traveling to Malacca … In 1405 a Chinese Muslim eunuch, Zheng He, launched the first of seven voyages west from China across the Indian Ocean. Cartwright, M. (2019, February 07). Under the Yongle administration (1402–24), the war-devastated economy of China was soon restored. Between 1405 and 1433, Ming China sent out seven gigantic naval expeditions under the command of Zheng He the great eunuch admiral. "The Seven Voyages of Zheng He." by National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (CC BY-NC-ND). Large ships, overseas travel, contact with most foreigners. The fleet visited towns along the east coast of Africa of what are now Somalia and Kenya and almost reached the Mozambique Channel. Goods shipped out included silk, tea, painted scrolls, gold and silver objects, textiles, carved and manufactured goods, and fine Ming porcelain. The return to isolationism may have been due to the increased threat from the Mongols, and the huge expense of rebuilding parts of the Great Wall of China likely called for some cutbacks elsewhere. What Prompted the End of the Treasure Fleet? Yongle would dispatch many diplomatic missions across land routes to such places as Samarkand and Tibet but the man selected to lead the emperor’s most important maritime forays into foreign diplomacy was Zheng He. Mecca is the most sacred site in the Muslim world. An extensive seaborne commerce had developed to meet the taste of the Chinese for spices and aromatics and the need for raw industrial materials. By 1405 CE Zheng He was an admiral in the imperial fleet, and he was selected by the emperor to lead a fleet across the Indian Ocean to explore the possibilities of new tributary states and bring them into the sphere of Chinese influence. Answer: Zheng He traveled by ship. China had what it needed. Zheng He was appointed garrison commander in Nanjing, with the task of disbanding his troops. Zheng He, like many great explorers before and since, died in the middle of an expedition, his seventh voyage. What better way to convince the powerful officials of the imperial bureaucracy that he was the chosen one than having foreign ambassadors prostrate themselves in the Forbidden City and offer up a handsome sample of the riches of their country? His seven total voyages were diplomatic, military, and trading ventures, and lasted from 1405 – 1433. These enormous treasure junks were commanded by the great admiral, Zheng He. explorer Born: c. 1371 Birthplace: China An admiral in the Imperial Chinese navy, Zheng He made seven voyages to Southeast Asia, India, and Africa to explore and trade.In 1405 Zheng made his first trip, sailing to Vietnam and India with a fleet of Chinese boats known as junks. The ruler of Mogadishu was responsive and did send an embassy to Yongle, and even distant Zanzibar was reached by Zheng He’s fleet. The Ming court then sought to display its naval power to bring the maritime states of South and Southeast Asia in line. isolationism. Zheng He's Pilgrimage to Mecca The holy city of Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia, was the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed, the founder of Islam. One of the enduring symbols of the Ming dynasty’s eagerness to extend international relations under its third emperor, Yongle, is the seven sea voyages of Zheng He. His father was a hajji, a Muslim who had made the hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca. Undeterred, Zheng He abducted the king and brought him in person back to the Chinese imperial court, where he was later released after promising to pay regular tributes, which he did do. The scale of the fleets involved has also led some scholars to suggest the expeditions were rather more interested in some form of colonialism than mere diplomacy and trade, but this view is not widely held. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. On his fourth voyage Zheng He left China in 1413. Technological developments in shipbuilding and in the arts of seafaring reached new heights by the beginning of the Ming. But while his name may be … Become a … Ma also had made influential friends at court. "The Seven Voyages of Zheng He." The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. The Ming Dynasty fell to invaders who began the Qing Dynasty. Zheng He's fleets were active in much of the Old World, travelling from China as far west as Kenya, Somalia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. How far did Zheng He travel? Zheng He's Travel Journal: Blog Bibliography Top Moments Seventh Voyage. Aiming to spread the word of the Chinese emperor's might and open Chinese trade to new markets, Zheng He traveled as far as the east coast of Africa. Soon after he ascended the throne, the emperor conferred on Ma the surname Zheng, and he was henceforth known as Zheng He. ". Ma Ho’s talents saw him progress through the ranks, being selected as the head eunuch and becoming an important support to Yongle’s claim for the throne. Occupation: Explorer and Fleet Commander Born: 1371 in Yunnan Province, China Died: 1433 Best known for: Treasure Ship voyages to India Biography: Zheng He (1371 - 1433) was a great Chinese explorer and fleet commander. Zheng He was a Chinese eunuch and explorer who commanded the Ming dynasty's "treasure fleet" of trading vessels on expeditions between 1405 and 1433. This is known history. He was raised in Yunnan, China. His family claimed descent from an early Mongol governor of Yunnan province in southwestern China as well as from King Muḥammad of Bukhara (now in Uzbekistan). Updates? The emperor’s purpose for this expedition seems to have been to obtain recognition and gifts from other rulers. Related Content Many of the vessels, built at the shipyards of Nanjing, were equipped with such innovations as water-tight compartments, sternpost rudders, magnetic compasses and paper charts and maps. At issue are the seven voyages of Zheng He, whose ships sailed the Pacific and Indian Oceans from 1405 to 1433. Wherever he landed, Zheng He led a delegation to the local ruler to whom he presented messages of goodwill and China’s peaceful intentions towards them. Traditionally, Tribute from abroad had confirmed the Chinese vanity that their own culture was superior to all others. In their wake, Chinese emigration increased, resulting in Chinese colonization in Southeast Asia and the accompanying tributary trade, which lasted until the 19th century. Zheng He, Wade-Giles romanization Cheng Ho, original name Ma Sanbao, later Ma He, (born c. 1371, Kunyang, near Kunming, Yunnan province, China—died 1433, Calicut [now Kozhikode], India), admiral and diplomat who helped extend the maritime and commercial influence of China throughout the regions bordering the Indian Ocean. Admittedly, they did not, like similar voyages of European merchant-adventurers, lead to the establishment of trading empires. By signing up, you'll get thousands of step-by-step solutions to your homework questions. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Living in a region of China that was then controlled by the Mongols, Ma Ho was captured by Ming forces at the age of ten. During Zheng He’s fifth voyage (1417–19), the Ming fleet revisited the Persian Gulf and the east coast of Africa. Zheng He is the first attested Chinese to visit the Swahili coast. Again he visited Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and Africa. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. Britannica now has a site just for parents! These included diplomats, medical officers, astrologers, ship’s crews, and military personnel which, along with canons, bombs, and rockets, ensured the expedition could ably defend itself wherever it ventured. For some 300 years the Chinese had been extending their power out to sea. He contracted an illness, and whether he successfully returned to China or died during his return is unknown. He sailed to Thailand, Java, Brunei, Arabia and India. He went via Southeast Asia, sailing down the coast of Vietnam, stopping at Sumatra and Java and then on through the Malay Archipelago and through the Straits of Malacca, crossing the eastern Indian Ocean to reach India and Sri Lanka. He went on seven major expeditions to explore the world for the Chinese emperor and to establish Chinese trade in new … Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. The Ming government chose to adopt a policy of _____. Zheng He. Last modified February 07, 2019. Many rulers took up the offer immediately and delegates were accommodated on Zheng He’s ships to be eventually taken to China on the return voyage. He also traded in porcelain and silver. The Kangnido map(1402) predates Zheng He's voyages, and suggests that he had quite detailed geographical information on the totality of the Old World, from Europe and Africa in the west, to Korea and Japan in the east. He was also a Inquirer when he was determined to find places which were not discovered and was determined to go onto the voyages to trade with others. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. After his voyages ended, China turned inwards once again ended its brief … Zheng He is renowned today as a great explorer, honoured by both Chinese and Muslims throughout South East Asia. In 1381 Yunnan was reconquered by Ming dynasty forces, and he was captured, castrated, and sent into the army. "The Western Ocean" refers to the Asianand Africanplaces Zheng He explored, including: Explanation: Zheng He (1371 - 1433) was a Chinese explorer who commanded many fleets in behalf of China. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 07 Feb 2019. In exchange, he brought back fuel, building materials and other exotic artifacts. In October 1409 Zheng He set out on his third voyage. When Yongle won a three-year civil war and became emperor in 1403 CE, Ma Ho was given the new name of Zeng He (aka Cheng Ho). This time, going beyond the seaports of India, he sailed to Hormuz on the Persian Gulf. 1/4/1431 Death of the Yongle Emperor. Born into a Muslim peasant family in Yunnan province in southern China c. 1371 CE, his family-given name was Ma Ho. Omissions? Wiki User Answered . The most grandiose claims for Zheng He's 1405 fleet are entirely based on a calculation derived from an account written three centuries later and were accepted as fact by one modern writer but rejected by most naval experts: Even if his wake was not immediately followed, Zheng He had shown the way. Zheng He sailed westward and reached Africa. The family name Ma was derived from the Chinese rendition of Muḥammad. Over a period of almost three decades in the early 15th century, Ming China sent out a fleet the likes of which the world had never seen. By 1390, when those troops were placed under the command of the prince of Yan, Ma He had distinguished himself as a junior officer, skilled in war and diplomacy. Chinese Junk Shipby National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (CC BY-NC-ND). The traditional presentation of tribute to Chinese emperors by other, smaller states in Southeast Asia was given to prevent invasion or achieve a theoretical promise of protection in the case of invasion by a third party or because diplomatic missions giving that tribute were permitted to conduct trade while in China. Exploring the lands around the Indian Ocean. Zheng He was unusually tall for his time period, standing at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters). Zheng He was a Chinese explorer who lead seven great voyages on behalf of the Chinese emperor. Solved: How did Zheng He travel? The expense of the expeditions and the goods they carried did not match the value of the tributes that came in return. 2009-09-11 03:55:13. Cost very expensive, belief that. Web. These animals caused wonder back in China, where the giraffe, for example, was considered living evidence of the qilin, a sort of Chinese unicorn which represented good fortune. The junks Zheng had in his fleet would not have been significantly different from those described as follows by the famed Muslim traveller from Tangier Ibn Battuta (1304 - c. 1368 CE): The large ships have anything from twelve down to three sails made of bamboo rods plaited like mats. Zheng He was a member of the Hui, a minority group in China that is predominantly Muslim. Zheng He's fleet always knew where it was going, unlike the slightly later explorer, Christopher Columbus. After the death of my dear friend, the Yongle Emperor, our voyages have momentarily paused. A Chinese mission visited Mecca and continued to Egypt. The first three voyages of Zheng He (1404, 1408 and 1409 CE) followed more established trade routes. Together, Zheng He and his armada made seven epic voyages from the port at Nanjing to India, Arabia, and even East Africa. Submitted by Mark Cartwright, published on 07 February 2019 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Zheng He had made an incredible series of journeys, as this inscription on a tablet he erected in 1432 CE in Fujian, China relates: We have traversed more than one hundred thousand li (27,000 nautical miles) of immense waterspaces and have beheld in the ocean huge waves like mountains rising sky high, and we have set eyes on barbarian regions far away hidden in a blue transparency of light vapors, while our sails, loftily unfurled like clouds day and night, continued their course (as rapidly as) a star, traversing those savage waves as if we were treading a public thoroughfare…. Voyages five, six, and seven (1417, 1421, and 1431 CE) reached even further afield, landing at Mogadishu, Malindi, and Mombassa, all on the coast of East Africa. We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications: Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University and Michigan State University and University of Missouri. Effect of extending China ’ s second Pre-Columbian Chinese... Creative Commons,. Value of the Chinese had been extending their power out to sea tall... Other rulers the principal ports of Asia, He sailed to Thailand,,! Extending China ’ s diplomatic agents his troops well as Indian and visitors... Yunnan was reconquered by Ming Dynasty forces, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica license unless otherwise noted invaders who the. 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Which continents did Zheng He travel on his voyage? https://www.ancient.eu/article/1334/. Yongle’s predecessors had been cautious to the point of isolationism when it came to foreign affairs, largely out of fear of military conquest by neighbouring peoples, especially the Mongols. He carried a cargo of silk, porcelain, and lacquer ware that the Chinese wanted to trade for pearls, … "THE MING VOYAGES OF CHENG HO (ZHENG HE), 1371-1433. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Zheng-He, Jehovah’s Witnesses - Biography of Zheng He, Ancient History Encyclopedia - The Seven Voyages of Zheng He, Zheng He - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Zheng He - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). The future explorer would have a difficult childhood but he certainly had the travel bug in his veins as his father had made the Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The two men, both eunuchs (as was the custom for captains), arrived in Australia in 1422 - Hong on the west coast, Zhou on the east - and spent several months exploring, landing in several places. Biography >> Explorers for Kids. During the next 30 years (till 1445 CE), he was in command of the world’s largest fleet, funded by the Ming emperor, sailed to the east coast of Africa into the Persian Gulf. A detachment of the fleet cruised southward down the coast of Arabia, visiting Dhofar (Oman) and Aden (Yemen). The tribute, usually far less valuable than the goods which the emperors gave out, had always been a badge of approval to the Chinese, indicative that their emperor was indeed the Son of Heaven and the most powerful ruler on earth. Manchu. These voyages traveled through the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and along the east coast of Africa. In the shift of policy his successor, the Hongxi emperor, suspended naval expeditions abroad. He introduced gold and silk to some of these regions. Zheng He was the best known of the Yongle emperor’s diplomatic agents. Cite This Work His grandfather was a noble from the Mongolian tribe and once made a pilgrimage to Mecca. This time he also found time to stop off at the Maldive Islands, before crossing the Arabian Sea and reaching Hormuz on the Persian Gulf. His seven total voyages were diplomatic, military, and trading ventures, and lasted from 1405 – 1433. Zheng He's seventh and final voyage left China in the winter of 1431. Zheng He organized this expedition but did not actually lead it in person. There would be no more great maritime expeditions as the Chinese closed the door on the outside world and returned to its isolationist foreign policy of old. Zheng He was Risk Taking when he travelled to a lot of places where he didn't know and had to talk to people of other places when trading goods and luxurious items. 28,000 … Professor of History, University of California, Davis, 1969–76. The return journey of the first expedition, for example, saw Zheng He capture the pirate Ch’en Tsu-i, who had caused havoc in the Malacca Straits and beyond, a feat which greatly enhanced the admiral’s reputation in Southeast Asia. Yet, in their wake, Chinese emigration increased, resulting in Chinese colonization in Southeast Asia and the accompanying tributary trade, which lasted until the 19th century. He visited the states of Southeast Asia, the coast of India, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the east coast of Africa. Zheng He and Chinese Exploration Depicted to the right is a comparison of one Admiral Zheng's massive treasure junks to the Santa Maria that carried Columbus. Author of. Admiral Zheng He was commissioned to command the treasure fleet for the expeditions. The massive fleet of 317 ships had been under construction since 1403 CE and included 62 baochuan, then the largest ships in the world. These Chinese junks, also known as ‘treasure ships’, were perhaps up to 55 metres (180 ft) in length and 8.5 metres (28 ft) wide (although the exact dimensions are disputed amongst historians). He was then conscripted into the army commanded by a Ming prince, none other than the future emperor Yongle. On his final voyage, Zheng He diverted from his fleet on his personal hajj to Mecca. By 1390, under the command of the prince of Yan, he had distinguished himself as a junior officer—skilled in war and diplomacy and having made influential friends at court. On his return in 1411 he touched at Samudra, on the northern tip of Sumatra. Put simply, many foreign states, although interested in the trading possibilities, did not quite agree that China, the self-styled Middle Kingdom, was the centre of the world; a view confirmed by the opening up of the New World at the other end of the same century that Zheng He had begun his voyages. In 1424 the Yongle emperor died. Asked by Wiki User. After stopping at the principal ports of Asia, he proceeded westward from India to Hormuz. The emperor even went so far as to ban the construction of any ocean-going ships and prohibit those that existed from being used for voyages beyond Chinese coastal waters. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/article/1334/. Yongle’s successor, Xuande (r. 1426-36 CE) had initially supported Zheng’s continuing voyages but he eventually put an end to the costly expeditions. Zheng He’s fourth voyage in 1413 CE saw him sail to India again, once more pushing on around the southern tip of the subcontinent and visiting again Cochin and Calicut on the west coast. From Africa, Zheng He brought back such exotica as lions, leopards, camels, ostriches, rhinos, zebras, and giraffes. Menzies says that the Chinese map, found in a bookstore and created in the 18 th century, is attributed to Chinese Admiral Zheng He and shows a detailed map of America dating back to 1418. Zheng He was from a Hui (Chinese Muslim) family. Sailing down the coast of Arabia, he then went on to Aden and up the Red Sea to Jeddah, from where a party travelled to Mecca. Traditional and popular accounts of Zheng He's voyages have described a great fleet of gigantic ships far larger than any other wooden ships in history. Later in life, he developed an interest in Buddhist teachings. He visited the states of Southeast Asia, the coast of India, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the east coast of Africa. More secure on his imperial throne, and having grabbed it in the first place after a three-year civil war, Yongle perhaps sought some international legitimacy for his position as emperor. The system had lapsed during the Mongol Yuan dynasty (1276-1368 CE) but Yongle wanted to revive it. Chinese travelers abroad, as well as Indian and Muslim visitors, widened the geographic horizon of the Chinese. Books Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The great admiral died in Calicut in 1433 CE, and his body was returned to China for burial in Nanjing. Between 1405 and 1433 CE Zheng He commanded huge fleets loaded with trade goods and high-value gifts to such far-flung places as Hormuz in the Persian Gulf and Mogadishu in East Africa. The grand project resulted in seven far-reaching ocean voyages to the coastal territories and islands in and around the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, and beyond. Zheng died in Calicut in the spring of 1433, and the fleet returned to China that summer. A report states that 19 foreign rulers sent tributes and diplomatic missions to the emperor as a consequence of this fourth voyage. Zheng He was a Chinese explorer who lead seven great voyages on behalf of the Chinese emperor. It has been quite a while since I have written, and even longer since I have traveled. Why did sea voyages for exploration come to … The young Ma Sanbao (later Ma He), as he was then known, was among the boys who were captured, castrated, and sent into the army as orderlies. Zheng He did not travel looking to conquer and kill but instead to show the might and wealth of the Ming Empire. Zheng He (or Ma Sanbao) (1371-1433 AD) was a court eunuch, marine explorer and fleet admiral, born into an adventurous Muslim family in Kunyang of Yunnan Province. In any case, the original aim of the voyages - to secure foreign tribute - was largely unsuccessful outside of Southeast Asia. Another possible motive, at least for the earlier voyages to Southeast Asia, may have been to discover the whereabouts of the deposed emperor Jianwen (r. 1398-1402) and so ensure he did not stir up a rebellion to take back his throne from his usurper Yongle. Zheng died in Calicut in the spring of 1433, and the fleet returned to China that summer. Zheng He returned to China in 1407. Zheng He’s initial trip took him from the South China Sea through the Indian Ocean to Calicut, India, and back. Zheng was then selected by the emperor to be commander in chief of what became a series of missions to the “Western Oceans.” He first set sail in 1405, commanding 62 ships and 27,800 men. Admiral Zheng He (aka Cheng Ho, c. 1371-1433 CE) was a Chinese Muslim eunuch explorer who was sent by the Ming dynasty emperor Yongle (r. 1403-1424 CE) on seven diplomatic missions to increase trade and secure tribute from foreign powers. These and other actions only strengthened the view that China was the chief power in the region and its greatest source of stability. His voyages had the effect of extending China’s political sway over maritime Asia for half a century. The fleet visited Champa (now in southern Vietnam), Siam (Thailand), Malacca (Melaka), and the island of Java and then through the Indian Ocean to Calicut (Kozhikode) on the Malabar Coast of India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Zheng He and his 317 ship and nearly 30,000 crew fleet set sail from the Liujiagan Port in the Jiangsu Province in China, and they sailed as far as... See full answer below. Zheng He or Ma He (Chinese 郑和; 1371–1433) was an explorer, diplomat, and admiral from China.He lived during the Ming Dynasty.Zheng He was the leader of a very large fleet of ships that traveled all over the Indian Ocean and Southwest Asia.Zheng He was an eunuch of China's Imperial Court.The fleet that Zheng He commanded had 317 ships that were very large. On his return to China in 1415, Zheng He brought the envoys of more than 30 states of South and Southeast Asia to pay homage to the Chinese emperor. License. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2021) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. It also confirmed the Chinese vanity that their own culture was superior to all others. The Seven Voyages of Zheng Heby Vmenkov (CC BY). Ma He quickly became a eunuch of great influence in the Yongle court. His travels may not have brought much success in terms of new trade or lasting tribute to the imperial court but the knowledge, ideas, and exotic goods he brought back home - from jewels to giraffes - created an interest in foreign countries and a realisation of their wealth which contributed to China’s increased role in world trade in later centuries. Top Answer. Not until 1431 was Zheng He sent on the final voyage, which once again traveled to ports stretching from Asia to Arabia and eastern Africa. ", Wade, G. "THE ZHENG HE VOYAGES: A REASSESSMENT. He traveled with over 60 other ships, some of which were over 400 feet long, known as treasure ships. He commanded seven naval expeditions almost a century before the Portuguese reached India by sailing around the southern tip of Africa. Zheng died in Calicut in the spring of 1433, and the fleet returned to China that summer. Cartwright, Mark. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Zheng He was the best known of the Yongle emperor’s diplomatic agents. Bibliography Recommended Annotation Visible only to you A sixth voyage was launched in 1421 to take home the foreign emissaries from China. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Zheng He did command the third voyage (1409-1411) with 48 large ships and 30,000 troops, visiting many of the same places as on the first voyage but also traveling to Malacca … In 1405 a Chinese Muslim eunuch, Zheng He, launched the first of seven voyages west from China across the Indian Ocean. Cartwright, M. (2019, February 07). Under the Yongle administration (1402–24), the war-devastated economy of China was soon restored. Between 1405 and 1433, Ming China sent out seven gigantic naval expeditions under the command of Zheng He the great eunuch admiral. "The Seven Voyages of Zheng He." by National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (CC BY-NC-ND). Large ships, overseas travel, contact with most foreigners. The fleet visited towns along the east coast of Africa of what are now Somalia and Kenya and almost reached the Mozambique Channel. Goods shipped out included silk, tea, painted scrolls, gold and silver objects, textiles, carved and manufactured goods, and fine Ming porcelain. The return to isolationism may have been due to the increased threat from the Mongols, and the huge expense of rebuilding parts of the Great Wall of China likely called for some cutbacks elsewhere. What Prompted the End of the Treasure Fleet? Yongle would dispatch many diplomatic missions across land routes to such places as Samarkand and Tibet but the man selected to lead the emperor’s most important maritime forays into foreign diplomacy was Zheng He. Mecca is the most sacred site in the Muslim world. An extensive seaborne commerce had developed to meet the taste of the Chinese for spices and aromatics and the need for raw industrial materials. By 1405 CE Zheng He was an admiral in the imperial fleet, and he was selected by the emperor to lead a fleet across the Indian Ocean to explore the possibilities of new tributary states and bring them into the sphere of Chinese influence. Answer: Zheng He traveled by ship. China had what it needed. Zheng He was appointed garrison commander in Nanjing, with the task of disbanding his troops. Zheng He, like many great explorers before and since, died in the middle of an expedition, his seventh voyage. What better way to convince the powerful officials of the imperial bureaucracy that he was the chosen one than having foreign ambassadors prostrate themselves in the Forbidden City and offer up a handsome sample of the riches of their country? His seven total voyages were diplomatic, military, and trading ventures, and lasted from 1405 – 1433. These enormous treasure junks were commanded by the great admiral, Zheng He. explorer Born: c. 1371 Birthplace: China An admiral in the Imperial Chinese navy, Zheng He made seven voyages to Southeast Asia, India, and Africa to explore and trade.In 1405 Zheng made his first trip, sailing to Vietnam and India with a fleet of Chinese boats known as junks. The ruler of Mogadishu was responsive and did send an embassy to Yongle, and even distant Zanzibar was reached by Zheng He’s fleet. The Ming court then sought to display its naval power to bring the maritime states of South and Southeast Asia in line. isolationism. Zheng He's Pilgrimage to Mecca The holy city of Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia, was the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed, the founder of Islam. One of the enduring symbols of the Ming dynasty’s eagerness to extend international relations under its third emperor, Yongle, is the seven sea voyages of Zheng He. His father was a hajji, a Muslim who had made the hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca. Undeterred, Zheng He abducted the king and brought him in person back to the Chinese imperial court, where he was later released after promising to pay regular tributes, which he did do. The scale of the fleets involved has also led some scholars to suggest the expeditions were rather more interested in some form of colonialism than mere diplomacy and trade, but this view is not widely held. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. On his fourth voyage Zheng He left China in 1413. Technological developments in shipbuilding and in the arts of seafaring reached new heights by the beginning of the Ming. But while his name may be … Become a … Ma also had made influential friends at court. "The Seven Voyages of Zheng He." The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. The Ming Dynasty fell to invaders who began the Qing Dynasty. Zheng He's fleets were active in much of the Old World, travelling from China as far west as Kenya, Somalia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. How far did Zheng He travel? Zheng He's Travel Journal: Blog Bibliography Top Moments Seventh Voyage. Aiming to spread the word of the Chinese emperor's might and open Chinese trade to new markets, Zheng He traveled as far as the east coast of Africa. Soon after he ascended the throne, the emperor conferred on Ma the surname Zheng, and he was henceforth known as Zheng He. ". Ma Ho’s talents saw him progress through the ranks, being selected as the head eunuch and becoming an important support to Yongle’s claim for the throne. Occupation: Explorer and Fleet Commander Born: 1371 in Yunnan Province, China Died: 1433 Best known for: Treasure Ship voyages to India Biography: Zheng He (1371 - 1433) was a great Chinese explorer and fleet commander. Zheng He was a Chinese eunuch and explorer who commanded the Ming dynasty's "treasure fleet" of trading vessels on expeditions between 1405 and 1433. This is known history. He was raised in Yunnan, China. His family claimed descent from an early Mongol governor of Yunnan province in southwestern China as well as from King Muḥammad of Bukhara (now in Uzbekistan). Updates? The emperor’s purpose for this expedition seems to have been to obtain recognition and gifts from other rulers. Related Content Many of the vessels, built at the shipyards of Nanjing, were equipped with such innovations as water-tight compartments, sternpost rudders, magnetic compasses and paper charts and maps. At issue are the seven voyages of Zheng He, whose ships sailed the Pacific and Indian Oceans from 1405 to 1433. Wherever he landed, Zheng He led a delegation to the local ruler to whom he presented messages of goodwill and China’s peaceful intentions towards them. Traditionally, Tribute from abroad had confirmed the Chinese vanity that their own culture was superior to all others. In their wake, Chinese emigration increased, resulting in Chinese colonization in Southeast Asia and the accompanying tributary trade, which lasted until the 19th century. Zheng He, Wade-Giles romanization Cheng Ho, original name Ma Sanbao, later Ma He, (born c. 1371, Kunyang, near Kunming, Yunnan province, China—died 1433, Calicut [now Kozhikode], India), admiral and diplomat who helped extend the maritime and commercial influence of China throughout the regions bordering the Indian Ocean. Admittedly, they did not, like similar voyages of European merchant-adventurers, lead to the establishment of trading empires. By signing up, you'll get thousands of step-by-step solutions to your homework questions. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Living in a region of China that was then controlled by the Mongols, Ma Ho was captured by Ming forces at the age of ten. During Zheng He’s fifth voyage (1417–19), the Ming fleet revisited the Persian Gulf and the east coast of Africa. Zheng He is the first attested Chinese to visit the Swahili coast. Again he visited Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and Africa. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. Britannica now has a site just for parents! These included diplomats, medical officers, astrologers, ship’s crews, and military personnel which, along with canons, bombs, and rockets, ensured the expedition could ably defend itself wherever it ventured. For some 300 years the Chinese had been extending their power out to sea. He contracted an illness, and whether he successfully returned to China or died during his return is unknown. He sailed to Thailand, Java, Brunei, Arabia and India. He went via Southeast Asia, sailing down the coast of Vietnam, stopping at Sumatra and Java and then on through the Malay Archipelago and through the Straits of Malacca, crossing the eastern Indian Ocean to reach India and Sri Lanka. He went on seven major expeditions to explore the world for the Chinese emperor and to establish Chinese trade in new … Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. The Ming government chose to adopt a policy of _____. Zheng He. Last modified February 07, 2019. Many rulers took up the offer immediately and delegates were accommodated on Zheng He’s ships to be eventually taken to China on the return voyage. He also traded in porcelain and silver. The Kangnido map(1402) predates Zheng He's voyages, and suggests that he had quite detailed geographical information on the totality of the Old World, from Europe and Africa in the west, to Korea and Japan in the east. He was also a Inquirer when he was determined to find places which were not discovered and was determined to go onto the voyages to trade with others. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. After his voyages ended, China turned inwards once again ended its brief … Zheng He is renowned today as a great explorer, honoured by both Chinese and Muslims throughout South East Asia. In 1381 Yunnan was reconquered by Ming dynasty forces, and he was captured, castrated, and sent into the army. "The Western Ocean" refers to the Asianand Africanplaces Zheng He explored, including: Explanation: Zheng He (1371 - 1433) was a Chinese explorer who commanded many fleets in behalf of China. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 07 Feb 2019. In exchange, he brought back fuel, building materials and other exotic artifacts. In October 1409 Zheng He set out on his third voyage. When Yongle won a three-year civil war and became emperor in 1403 CE, Ma Ho was given the new name of Zeng He (aka Cheng Ho). This time, going beyond the seaports of India, he sailed to Hormuz on the Persian Gulf. 1/4/1431 Death of the Yongle Emperor. Born into a Muslim peasant family in Yunnan province in southern China c. 1371 CE, his family-given name was Ma Ho. Omissions? Wiki User Answered . The most grandiose claims for Zheng He's 1405 fleet are entirely based on a calculation derived from an account written three centuries later and were accepted as fact by one modern writer but rejected by most naval experts: Even if his wake was not immediately followed, Zheng He had shown the way. Zheng He sailed westward and reached Africa. The family name Ma was derived from the Chinese rendition of Muḥammad. Over a period of almost three decades in the early 15th century, Ming China sent out a fleet the likes of which the world had never seen. By 1390, when those troops were placed under the command of the prince of Yan, Ma He had distinguished himself as a junior officer, skilled in war and diplomacy. Chinese Junk Shipby National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (CC BY-NC-ND). The traditional presentation of tribute to Chinese emperors by other, smaller states in Southeast Asia was given to prevent invasion or achieve a theoretical promise of protection in the case of invasion by a third party or because diplomatic missions giving that tribute were permitted to conduct trade while in China. Exploring the lands around the Indian Ocean. Zheng He was unusually tall for his time period, standing at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters). Zheng He was a Chinese explorer who lead seven great voyages on behalf of the Chinese emperor. Solved: How did Zheng He travel? The expense of the expeditions and the goods they carried did not match the value of the tributes that came in return. 2009-09-11 03:55:13. Cost very expensive, belief that. Web. These animals caused wonder back in China, where the giraffe, for example, was considered living evidence of the qilin, a sort of Chinese unicorn which represented good fortune. The junks Zheng had in his fleet would not have been significantly different from those described as follows by the famed Muslim traveller from Tangier Ibn Battuta (1304 - c. 1368 CE): The large ships have anything from twelve down to three sails made of bamboo rods plaited like mats. Zheng He was a member of the Hui, a minority group in China that is predominantly Muslim. Zheng He's fleet always knew where it was going, unlike the slightly later explorer, Christopher Columbus. After the death of my dear friend, the Yongle Emperor, our voyages have momentarily paused. A Chinese mission visited Mecca and continued to Egypt. The first three voyages of Zheng He (1404, 1408 and 1409 CE) followed more established trade routes. Together, Zheng He and his armada made seven epic voyages from the port at Nanjing to India, Arabia, and even East Africa. Submitted by Mark Cartwright, published on 07 February 2019 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Zheng He had made an incredible series of journeys, as this inscription on a tablet he erected in 1432 CE in Fujian, China relates: We have traversed more than one hundred thousand li (27,000 nautical miles) of immense waterspaces and have beheld in the ocean huge waves like mountains rising sky high, and we have set eyes on barbarian regions far away hidden in a blue transparency of light vapors, while our sails, loftily unfurled like clouds day and night, continued their course (as rapidly as) a star, traversing those savage waves as if we were treading a public thoroughfare…. Voyages five, six, and seven (1417, 1421, and 1431 CE) reached even further afield, landing at Mogadishu, Malindi, and Mombassa, all on the coast of East Africa. We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications: Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University and Michigan State University and University of Missouri. Effect of extending China ’ s second Pre-Columbian Chinese... Creative Commons,. Value of the Chinese had been extending their power out to sea tall... Other rulers the principal ports of Asia, He sailed to Thailand,,! Extending China ’ s diplomatic agents his troops well as Indian and visitors... Yunnan was reconquered by Ming Dynasty forces, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica license unless otherwise noted invaders who the. 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