Zheng He: The Forgotten Giant of Naval Exploration

Who was Zheng He?

Born Ma He in 1371 to a Muslim family in Yunnan province, the future admiral was captured and castrated as a child during a Ming military campaign. Despite this traumatic start, he rose through the ranks of the imperial court, eventually becoming the emperor's most trusted adviser and taking the name Zheng He.

The Fleet

Zheng He's armada was a sight to behold. The fleet consisted of:
- Over 300 ships
- Around 27,000 men
- Massive "treasure ships" that dwarfed European vessels of the time

The treasure ships were technological marvels, measuring 200 to 300 feet long and 65 feet wide ; The size is still a subject of debate among specialists. Nevertheless, and to put this in perspective, Christopher Columbus's Santa Maria was only about 62 feet long! 

The Journey

The first voyage started the 11th july 1405 took Zheng He and his fleet through:
1. Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Java, Malacca)
2. The Indian Ocean
3. Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka)
4. The southern tip of India

Globe 60 cm Humboldt

Objectives of the Voyage

Unlike many European expeditions that focused on conquest, Zheng He's voyages had different goals:
- Establish diplomatic relations with other nations
- Conduct trade
- Display China's power and wealth
- Gather tributes for the emperor

Cultural and Scientific Impact
Zheng He's voyages led to significant exchanges:
- Introduction of new plants and animals to China
- Improved navigation techniques
- Advanced shipbuilding methods
- Cultural exchanges with visited regions

Legacy

Despite the scale and achievements of Zheng He's voyages, they remain relatively unknown in the West. However, their impact was significant:
- They predated major European expeditions by decades
- They demonstrated China's naval and technological superiority at the time
- They established important trade routes and diplomatic relationships

Zheng He would go on to lead six more expeditions over the next 28 years, reaching as far as East Africa. His journeys expanded China's influence and knowledge of the world, leaving an indelible mark on naval history.

As we craft our globes today, we're reminded of these incredible voyages that connected vast parts of the world long before the age of European exploration. Zheng He's expeditions serve as a testament to human curiosity, technological innovation, and the power of peaceful exploration.

Next time you spin a globe, take a moment to trace Zheng He's route and imagine the wonders his fleet must have encountered on their epic journeys across the seas.

Image Credit : Gore 19, Coronelli Terrestrial globe, 1688, David Rumsey Historical map collections