Word video 14 : Zheng He's Treasure Fleet: China's Forgotten Explorer

 Welcome! Today, we’re exploring the legendary Zheng He and his incredible treasure fleet, a voyage that took China to distant lands long before the West. Often forgotten in history, Zheng He’s journeys changed the course of exploration and diplomacy. Let’s dive into this amazing chapter of history!

When we think of the age of exploration, the first names that often come to mind are Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan. However, one of the most remarkable explorers in history, whose achievements rivaled and even exceeded those of his Western counterparts, is largely forgotten outside of China. This man was Zheng He, a Chinese admiral who commanded a series of incredible maritime expeditions during the early 15th century. His expeditions were monumental in scope, and the fleet he commanded was one of the largest and most advanced in the world at the time. Yet, despite his success and the scale of his achievements, Zheng He remains a figure that is little-known to the Western world.

In this article, we will explore Zheng He's life, his expeditions, the Treasure Fleet he led, and the lasting impact of his voyages on China and the world.

Zheng He’s Early Life

Zheng He was born as Ma He in 1371 in Kunyang, a town located in what is now Yunnan province, China. His family belonged to the Muslim Hui minority, and his father was a merchant. The precise details of his early life remain somewhat unclear, but one significant event shaped the rest of his future.

When he was still a teenager, Zheng He’s life took a dramatic turn. In 1381, when he was just ten years old, he was captured by the armies of the Ming Dynasty during their military campaigns against the Mongols. He was taken to the capital city of Nanjing, where he became a eunuch in the court of the newly-established Ming emperor, Yongle.

It is here that Ma He adopted the name Zheng He, a name that would become synonymous with China’s maritime power. He was raised as part of the imperial household, where he gained education and training in areas like military strategy, administration, and navigation. Zheng He’s intellectual acumen and natural leadership abilities did not go unnoticed, and he rose through the ranks to become a trusted servant of the emperor.

Zheng He’s Rise to Power

Zheng He’s fortunes changed dramatically when he was appointed to a key military position under the reign of Emperor Yongle, the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. The emperor, a visionary who sought to expand China’s influence both regionally and globally, had a keen interest in naval exploration. Zheng He, with his knowledge of military tactics, organization, and leadership, was selected to lead a series of sea voyages that would come to define his legacy.

Yongle’s ambition to establish China as the dominant power in East Asia, and to project Chinese influence across the globe, led to the creation of the Treasure Fleet. This fleet was intended to be the instrument of Chinese power and diplomacy, representing a formidable display of China’s technological and organizational prowess. Zheng He, now a high-ranking official, was tasked with leading the fleet on a series of expeditions to far-flung lands, starting in 1405.

The Treasure Fleet

The Treasure Fleet consisted of hundreds of ships, including massive treasure ships, which were the largest wooden ships ever built at the time. These ships could carry hundreds of sailors and vast amounts of cargo, including silk, porcelain, and other treasures that were intended to be offered as gifts or traded during Zheng He’s diplomatic missions. The fleet was an unprecedented display of Chinese naval power, and it was equipped with advanced navigation and military capabilities.

Zheng He’s fleet set sail on its first voyage in 1405, and over the next several decades, he commanded a total of seven expeditions. The routes of these expeditions stretched as far as Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and the East African coast. Some of the countries Zheng He visited included modern-day Vietnam, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, and even Kenya and Somalia. These voyages were not just about exploration; they were also about establishing diplomatic and trade relations, showcasing China’s might, and asserting its dominance over other nations.

Zheng He’s voyages were marked by their scale and ambition. For example, his fifth expedition (1417-1419) saw the fleet visit Southeast Asia, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India, and Arabia, with Zheng He negotiating treaties, presenting gifts, and asserting China’s influence. His voyages reached Africa, where he visited the Swahili coast and may have even visited the Zanzibar archipelago, though some of these accounts are debated by historians.

The Impact of Zheng He’s Expeditions

Zheng He’s voyages were monumental for several reasons. The most immediate impact was diplomatic. Through his extensive diplomatic missions, Zheng He established strong relations with numerous nations and kingdoms across Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and Africa. These alliances brought valuable trade goods to China, including spices, ivory, and precious gems. The sheer scale of the missions sent a clear message about the power and wealth of the Ming Empire.

However, despite the success of the Treasure Fleet, Zheng He’s voyages eventually came to an end after Emperor Yongle’s death in 1424. His successor, Emperor Xuande, was less interested in foreign exploration and more focused on domestic affairs. As a result, the Treasure Fleet was disbanded, and China’s maritime ambitions were curtailed. Zheng He, despite his immense contributions, was largely forgotten by later generations.

The Decline of China’s Maritime Power

The discontinuation of Zheng He’s voyages marked a significant shift in China’s foreign policy. After Zheng He’s death in 1433, China retreated into a period of isolation, focusing primarily on internal affairs. The Ming Dynasty, which had been one of the most powerful and culturally rich periods in Chinese history, began to turn inward, rejecting further engagement with the outside world. China’s ships were dismantled, and the technology for building massive fleets was lost.

This period of isolation left China vulnerable to the influences of Western powers in later centuries. While Europe’s maritime powers, such as Portugal, Spain, and later Britain, expanded their empires through exploration and colonization, China remained isolated, missing out on the global economic and political developments of the period.

Rediscovering Zheng He’s Legacy

Zheng He’s voyages were largely forgotten for centuries, especially during China’s periods of isolation. However, in recent decades, scholars and historians have begun to reassess his contributions and the significance of his expeditions. Today, Zheng He is seen as a national hero in China, and his legacy is being increasingly recognized worldwide.

Zheng He’s story challenges the conventional Western narrative of exploration and colonialism. His voyages were motivated not by conquest or empire-building, but by diplomacy, trade, and cultural exchange. His accomplishments stand as a testament to the ingenuity, ambition, and vision of the Chinese people during the Ming Dynasty.

Thanks for watching! Zheng He’s voyages are a testament to the power of exploration and diplomacy in shaping global history. What do you think his impact was? Hit subscribe for more incredible stories from the past, and I’ll see you in the next video!