"Zheng He" - The Great Voyager 1405-1433 AD

Summary

The video chronicles the remarkable voyages of Zheng He, a Muslim admiral during China's Ming Dynasty, whose naval fleet traveled across Asia, the Arabian Sea, and Africa between 1405 and 1433. Leading massive ships known as 'swimming dragons,' Zheng He brought exotic treasures, including a giraffe, to impress foreign rulers. His journeys, which spanned over 50,000 kilometers, are seen as unprecedented for their time, outshining Western explorers. However, after his death, the Ming Emperor dismantled the navy, and China turned inward, but Zheng He's adventures are remembered through artifacts like porcelain shards and inscriptions in Africa.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Garden of Islam was a period of great prosperity, peace, and innovation, with scholars and scientists excelling in various fields.
• 😀 In 1529, the Ming Emperor Shiong ordered the burning of hundreds of logbooks, erasing evidence of China's naval dominance for over 500 years.
• 😀 The rediscovery of ancient records in the 1930s revealed the existence of a mighty Chinese Armada led by Admiral Zheng He.
• 😀 Between 1405 and 1433, Zheng He’s treasure fleet embarked on seven voyages, covering over 50,000 kilometers and visiting major ports around the world.
• 😀 Zheng He, a Muslim navigator, was known for his impressive leadership and the size of the ships under his command, which were technological marvels of their time.
• 😀 The fleet's ships, known as 'swimming dragons,' were enormous, with some ships reaching 400 feet long and 160 feet wide, carrying 1,000 crew members each.
• 😀 These ships were stocked with provisions for long voyages, including earth tubs for growing vegetables and horses for cavalry.
• 😀 Zheng He’s most remarkable tribute was a giraffe brought from Africa, which the Chinese Emperor’s philosophers celebrated as the fabled Unicorn.
• 😀 Zheng He’s fourth voyage took him to Arabia, where he made his pilgrimage to Mecca and extended his journey to Africa, reaching ports like Mombasa and Zanzibar.
• 😀 After Zheng He’s death in 1433, the new Ming Emperor began dismantling his navy, leading to China’s isolation and the decline of its global power.

Q & A

What was the significance of the Ming Dynasty during the time of Zheng He's voyages?

The Ming Dynasty was a period of great prosperity, peace, and intellectual advancement. It saw the flourishing of sciences, philosophy, and exploration, which provided the foundation for Zheng He's expeditions across the seas.

What was the purpose of Zheng He's seven voyages?

Zheng He's voyages were primarily diplomatic, aimed at establishing trade routes, fostering relationships, and collecting tribute from foreign kingdoms. These missions helped to assert China's maritime power and expand its influence.

How did Zheng He rise to prominence within the Ming court?

Zheng He rose to prominence after being captured by the Ming army at a young age, castrated, and made a eunuch. He gained the trust of the Ming Emperor, who appointed him as the admiral of the fleet, leading several major naval expeditions.

What was the composition of Zheng He's treasure fleet?

Zheng He's treasure fleet consisted of nearly 28,000 men and over 300 ships, including massive treasure galleons that were technological marvels of the time. These ships were much larger than the Portuguese caravels and could carry large cargo, including horses, fruits, and vegetables.

What was the significance of the giraffe that Zheng He brought back from his fourth voyage?

The giraffe brought back from Zheng He's fourth voyage was seen as a symbol of peace and prosperity. The Emperor's philosophers believed it was the fabled unicorn, and its arrival in Beijing marked a momentous event in the Ming court.

Where did Zheng He's fleet travel during their voyages?

Zheng He's fleet sailed to various regions, including China, India, the Arabian Sea, the East Coast of Africa, and possibly even as far as the Americas. Notable stops included Bengal, Arabia, Mombasa, Zanzibar, and possibly the Mozambique Channel.

How far did Zheng He's fleet sail compared to Western explorers of the time?

Zheng He's fleet traveled much farther than Western explorers of the time, reaching parts of Africa and possibly going around the Cape of Good Hope, far exceeding the distances covered by European explorers like those sailing into the Indian Ocean 50 years later.

What happened to the Ming fleet after Zheng He's death?

After Zheng He's death in 1433, the new emperor of China dismantled the Ming fleet. This led to China retreating from its position as a global maritime power and entering a period of isolation.

What are the lasting traces of Zheng He's voyages?

The lasting traces of Zheng He's voyages include porcelain shards found along the East African coast and etchings on a pillar in Fuan Province, China, marking his travels and the extent of his fleet's influence.

What role did religion play in Zheng He's life and voyages?

Zheng He was a Muslim, and his religious beliefs influenced his personal pilgrimage to Mecca during his voyages. His Islamic faith was an integral part of his identity and his interactions with other regions during his diplomatic missions.