The Indian Ocean Trade Circuit And The Unprecedented Zheng He

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third emperor, Chengzu, sent out a series of emissaries to visit potential tributary states. The grandest of these were the voyages of 1405 to 1433, led by one of his most trusted servants, the Muslim eunuch Zheng He (Ebrey, 209).
Zheng He Sets Sail
Zheng He served as a close confidant of the Yongle Emperor of China (reigned 1403 - 1424), the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Originally named Ma Sanbao, he came from Yunnan province. The name Zheng He was given by the emperor. At the orders of emperor Chengzu a vast fleet set sail in July, 1405 from Liujia Harbor near Suzhou on a distant voyage. The intended purpose of the voyages was to establish relations with foreign countries, to expand trade contacts, and to look for treasures to satisfy the desire of the sovereign for luxuries. Under the command of Zheng He was a vast fleet of 62 ships manned by more than 27,800 men, including sailors, clerks, interpreters, officers and soldiers, artisans, medical men, and meteorologists. On board the ships were large quantities of cargo that could be broken down into over 40 different categories, including silk goods, porcelain, gold, and silver ware, copper utensils, iron implements, cotton goods, mercury, umbrellas and straw mats. The fleet sailed along the coast of Fujian, down south to Zhancheng and, after crossing the South China Sea, reached such places as Java and Sri Lanka. On the way back the fleet sailed along the west coast of India and triumphantly returned to the home-port in 1407. Emperor Chengzu was very pleased with Zheng He’s extraordinary feats as an envoy in making visits to various foreign countries.
The Accolades Of Chinese Sailing
Between 1405 and 1453, Zheng He had, over a period of 28 years, eight times been ordered to act as an envoy to countries lying to the west of China. Each time he had under his command a large fleet and a staff of m...