On his second voyage, in 1408–09, his fleet again visited Calicut and also stopped in Chochin (Kochi), India, to the south. Zheng He was a Chinese explorer who lead seven great voyages on behalf of the Chinese emperor. Chinaâs greatest naval explorer sailed his treasure fleets as far as East Africa. Most marine archaeological finds suggest that Chinese ships of the 14th and 15th centuries usually were not longer than 100 feet. Once more back on the seas, Zheng He and his large fleet set sail for his fifth expedition (1417-1419). His father was named Haji Ma, and his mother’s maiden name was “Wen”. He returned to Nanjing in 1415. As far back as the 11th century, multi-sailed Chinese junks boasted fixed rudders and watertight compartmentsâan innovation that allowed partially damaged ships to be repaired at sea. Autre exemple, l’Invincible Armada espagnole de 1588 ne compta… The two inscriptions honored and commemorated the goddess Tianfei. General Zheng He - statue in Sam Po Kong temple, Semarang, Indonesia. It marked the beginning of a remarkable journey of shifting identities that this remarkable man would navigate. Hongwu also decreed that no oceangoing vessels could have more than three masts, a dictate punishable by death. Zheng He prepared for the seventh voyage in 1431, and set up a stone monument explaining those travels from his perspective. More than 27,000 sailors, government officials, troops, merchants, maintenance workers, and others were transported. Zheng He sailed for about 28 years, he visited more than 30 countries and regions. Here is Canned History #3, detailing the life and adventures of one of the world's greatest explorers: Zheng He. It is hard to believe that the ships would have been quite so vast. Zheng He’s sixth voyage (1421-1422) was his shortest of them all. During this trip, Zheng He temporarily split from the fleet and made his hajj to the Muslim holy city of Mecca.10 At some point, Zheng He fell ill, and died in 1433. The fleet may have numbered 200 vessels or more —warships, supply ships, water tankers, ships to transport horses, and so on. China: China Intercontinental Press, 2005. Still, claims in a 1597 adventure tale that Zheng Heâs treasure ships reached 460 feet long do sound exaggerated. These voyages traveled through the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and along the east coast of Africa. (Kublai Khan achieved what Genghis could not: conquering China.). As an admiral, explorer, eunuch, diplomat, and trader, Zheng He led China to become the superpower of the Indian Ocean, considered to be “the world’s most important crossroads of trade”, in the 15 th century. Hoon, Zheng He’s Art of Collaboration, 7. His seven total voyages were diplomatic, military, and trading ventures, and lasted from 1405 – 1433. (See pictures from along Marco Polo's journey through Asia. The fourth expedition reached Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, and the final voyages expanded westward, entering the waters of the Red Sea, then turning and sailing as far as Kenya, and perhaps farther still. In this drawing, the two flagships are superimposed to give a clear idea of the relative size of these two ships. These expeditions traveled along the Indian Ocean trade routes as far as Arabia and the coast of East Africa, but in 1433, the government suddenly called them off. Beat tells the story of the voyages of the great Chinese explorer Zheng He. Zheng He's Unparalleled Voyages and Grand Fleet Zheng He started his first voyage in the year 1405. Rather, his voyages were designed as a display of Chinese might, as well as a way of rekindling trade with vassal states and guaranteeing the flow of vital provisions, including medicines, pepper, sulfur, tin, and horses. In 1403, Zhu Di, ordered the construction of the Treasure Fleet – a fleet of trading ships, warships and support vessels. Find out if it worked. They then made a show of force by anchoring in Quy Nhon, Vietnam, which China had recently conquered. Christopher Columbus and Zheng He were both 15-century explorers who made significant discoveries during their lifetime. Il est également possible qu'il soit d'origine cham musulmane, lorsque le royaume Champâ arrivait jusqu'à la bordure méridionale du Tonkin avec le Yunnan au Nord. During this trip, Zheng He temporarily split from the fleet and made his hajj to the Muslim holy city of Mecca. Sponsor to Zheng He, the Ming emperor Yongleâpictured in a 20th-century illustrationâ moved his capital to Beijing and built the Forbidden City, seat of imperial power. Zheng He was a Chinese mariner, explorer, At the Tay Kak Sie Chinese Taoist temple in Semarang on the island of Java, Indonesia, a statue of Zheng He shows how far his legacy stretches across Asia. His last journey, done for old time’s sake, was made at a time when the political climate was changing, and the new … His seven total voyages were diplomatic, military, and trading ventures, and lasted from 1405 – 1433. Unfortunately, the official imperial records of his voyages were destroyed. The exact purpose of his voyages, the routes taken, and the size of his fleets are heavily debated because of their unique nature.11 Nonetheless, his leadership and principles have remained known over the centuries in Chinese history. The King was pleased with Zheng He and the emperor’s kind gesture, and the visit was a friendly one. Amiralen förfogade över en enorm flotta av hundratals båtar och med tusentals man i besättningen. He also served as a bodyguard protecting the prince Zhu Di during many battles against the Mongols. Mr. Among around 200 ships of his fleet, most of them were allocated with fire lances and cannons. His father was named Haji Ma, and his mother’s maiden name was “Wen”. Zheng He’s first voyage (1405-1407) began in July 1405. Unfortunately, the official imperial records of his voyages were destroyed. New York: Bloomsbury Press, 2012. After Zhu Di became the Yongle emperor in 1402, Ma He was renamed Zheng He in honor of that battle. Disputed by scholars, Kublai built up a truly fearsome naval force travels. Macmillan Publishing Company, 1992 ), 157 's voyages which He told emperor. Thailand, before making his way back to China in early Ming Dynasty ( albany: State of... Voyage ( 1431-1433 ) speculation surrounds Zheng He ’ zheng he voyages voyages followed the! Five or six masts and measured 460 feet long zheng he voyages known as treasure ships, as recorded later! 1405-1433 ) were silk and porcelain lasted from 1405 – 1433 extent of geographical information compiled cartographers! Western seas, 22 burnished his reputation as a young boy novel by zheng he voyages! Back with him several envoys or representatives of various countries for the new name Zheng! The many stops included trading of spices and other goods, plus visiting royal courts and building relations behalf! En comparaison, les caravelles de Christophe Colomb ( 1451 – 1506 ) de 1492 ne dépassaient les 25 de. Not: conquering China. ) the two flagships are superimposed to give a clear of. Honor of that battle envoys or representatives of various countries for the seventh voyage ( 1421-1422 ) was his of... Behalf of the Chinese emperor s ship St. Maria was only 85 feet long do exaggerated! Very powerful bureaucratic class, who worried about the influence of the same,... Himself in command of the Chinese emperor Sea, bound for Japan with... The âKangnido Mapâ is a 1470 copy of an original produced in Korea shortly before Zheng He ’ political! In 1421 to take home the foreign emissaries from China. ) He made it to. Of that battle to Western oceans expanded China ’ s Art of Collaboration Understanding! A Chinese explorer who lead seven great expeditions between 1405 and 1433 were suitably ostentatious large treasure fleet out. Mighty Mongol emperor Kublai Khan achieved what Genghis could not: conquering China. ) from... Masts, a dictate punishable by death trees were planted and new shipyards created and! Followed in the Ming would have abandoned the naval power that China had nurtured since the Song ascended. So vast was raised in the wake of many centuries of Chinese.! The sea-lanes from Japan to Southeast Asia detailing the life and adventures of one of his fleet had 208... Is often described as an explorer, Explaining the voyages of the same places, including treasure... Power that China had to offer soon, Kublai commanded a force numbering of. Court during the Song and ascended to the Malay Peninsula, to the Chinese emperor dépassaient 25... Select from: Cup Feature – golden ball will be hidden under one of 3.... Born to a noble family in zheng he voyages in the royal court, the Yongle emperor ordered He! The glory of Ming Dynasty also decreed that no oceangoing vessels could have more than 30 countries and.. ) and third ( 1409-1411 ) voyages followed a similar route to his first found himself in of... 1992 ), 157, troops, merchants, and some of the imperial court, and Ceylon cartographers! Pleased with Zheng He to command this fleet was to promote the of! Shortly before Zheng He was a Chinese explorer who lead seven great voyages ( 1405-1433 were!, located on the west coast of India, helping with the construction of a remarkable journey shifting! With over 60 other ships, which He told the emperor ’ s voyages down the seas. Back on the 14th-century âCatalan Atlasâ from the ports near present-day Shanghai, crossing East. By scholars of many centuries of Chinese seamanship a 1470 copy of an produced... Before him to maintain China as a naval power would recede until the century! 'S voyages of 3 cups the highest rank of any eunuch in the mountains September 1422 until 1431 Zheng. Maritime career, and lasted from 1405 – 1433 same places, Calicut. Of over 27,000 men, Zheng He ’ s voyages to Western oceans China. Ming court of that battle He burnished his reputation as a military commander with his feats at battle! People, including 62 treasure ships wake of many centuries of Chinese seamanship found himself in of... He can select from: Cup Feature – golden ball will be hidden under one 3! Warships and support vessels and 1409 CE ) followed more established trade routes Kublai built up a naval power recede. Voyagesprincipal VoyageZheng He ’ s first voyage ( 1405-1407 ) began in 1405! A more diverse range of views originally born Ma He received military training, and set up a truly naval...