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Zheng He was a [[Islam|Muslim]] [[eunuch]] in the service of the [[Ming Dynasty]], and an admiral who led a famous fleet of so-called treasure ships on a series of voyages across the Indian Ocean region from [[1405]]-[[1433]].

Zheng He was a [[Islam|Muslim]] [[eunuch]] in the service of the [[Ming Dynasty]], and an admiral who led a famous fleet of so-called treasure ships on a series of voyages across the Indian Ocean region from [[1405]]-[[1433]].

Zheng He was one of a great many prisoners of war, mainly from non-Chinese ethnic origins, who were castrated while young (Zheng He himself is believed to have been castrated at age 10 or 11), making them eligible for palace service as eunuchs. The palace eunuchs played a significant role in the ''coup'' that put the [[Yongle Emperor]] on the throne in [[1402]], and as a result he expanded the power and position of the eunuchs within the palace, important steps towards the much more considerable presence and influence eunuchs would wield in the later [[Qing Dynasty]]; it was in conjunction with this same set of developments that Zheng He was appointed admiral of Yongle's treasure fleet.

Zheng He was born in an Islamic province within the Ming empire; his father and grandfather are known to have made pilgrimages to Mecca. As a boy, he was captured by raiders, and became one of a great many prisoners of war, mainly from non-Chinese ethnic origins, who were castrated while young (Zheng He himself is believed to have been castrated at age 10 or 11), making them eligible for palace service as eunuchs. The palace eunuchs played a significant role in the ''coup'' that put the [[Yongle Emperor]] on the throne in [[1402]], and as a result he expanded the power and position of the eunuchs within the palace, important steps towards the much more considerable presence and influence eunuchs would wield in the later [[Qing Dynasty]]; it was in conjunction with this same set of developments that Zheng He was appointed admiral of Yongle's treasure fleet.

==Treasure Ships==

==Treasure Ships==

The fleet navigated by the stars, and by use of the [[compass]], which Chinese seafarers had used since the ninth or tenth century; stern-post rudders, designed such that a single ship could adjust for shallower or deeper waters by simply changing out rudders of different sizes, had been used in China since the second or third century CE. A 10.8 meter long rudder post excavated near Nanjing is among the material evidence that these treasure ships were, likely, as large as the records indicate they were.

The fleet navigated by the stars, and by use of the [[compass]], which Chinese seafarers had used since the ninth or tenth century; stern-post rudders, designed such that a single ship could adjust for shallower or deeper waters by simply changing out rudders of different sizes, had been used in China since the second or third century CE. A 10.8 meter long rudder post excavated near Nanjing is among the material evidence that these treasure ships were, likely, as large as the records indicate they were.

Zheng He's crew, captained by eunuch officers, totaled roughly 28,000 men. Most were banished criminals, but the crews also included Arabic interpreters, navigators, protocol experts, astrologers, judges, and roughly 180 physicians and herbalists.

Zheng He's crew, captained by eunuch officers, totaled roughly 28,000 men. Most were banished criminals, but the crews also included Arabic interpreters, navigators, protocol experts, astrologers, judges, and roughly 180 physicians and herbalists. Some of his men (and ships) would leave the fleet, remaining at various ports, while men and ships from those ports joined the fleet. In this way, the voyages were far more than simply round-trip journeys of exploration, but were truly a means by which considerable cultural exchange and interaction - including migration, settlement, and thus ethnic intermixing - occurred.

==Voyages==

==Voyages==

The Yongle Emperor died in [[1424]], and missions of this sort were suspended for nearly ten years. Only one further mission, Zheng's seventh, took place, departing China in [[1433]]. Zheng He died within the year, and on account of the incredible expense, the Court put an end to any such voyages. A desire to curb the power and influence of the eunuch captains may have contributed to the desire to end the voyages. The ships were placed in dry dock, and eventually rotted; in [[1477]], much of the records of the voyages were destroyed.

The Yongle Emperor died in [[1424]], and missions of this sort were suspended for nearly ten years. Only one further mission, Zheng's seventh, took place, departing China in [[1433]]. Zheng He died within the year, and on account of the incredible expense, the Court put an end to any such voyages. A desire to curb the power and influence of the eunuch captains may have contributed to the desire to end the voyages. The ships were placed in dry dock, and eventually rotted; in [[1477]], much of the records of the voyages were destroyed.

==References==

==References==

*Valerie Hansen, ''The Open Empire'', New York: W.W. Norton & Company (2000), 378-384.  

*Valerie Hansen, ''The Open Empire'', New York: W.W. Norton & Company (2000), 378-384.  

[[Category:Muromachi Period]]

[[Category:Muromachi Period]]

[[Category:Foreigners]]

[[Category:Foreigners]]

[[Category:Other Historical Figures]]

[[Category:Other Historical Figures]]