The Great Voyages Of Zheng He

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Political Purpose of Zheng He's Voyages


States and leaders that recognized Ming supremacy and offered tribute were rewarded with diplomatic recognition, military protection and trading rights. By the end of Yongle's reign, 30 foreign states had paid official visits to the Chinese Emperor and offered tribute. Most were brought to China in luxurious quarters in the treasure ships.

One of the primary purpose of the voyages was to pick up and drop off ambassadors, envoys and tributes. Relationships were established with Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms and sultanates from Java to Mecca. The Chinese would not establish their own permanent bases within the tributary states," Boorstin wrote," but instead hoped to make 'the whole world' into voluntary admirers of the one and only center of civilization. With this in mind the Chinese navy dared not loot the states that it visited. Zheng He would not seek slaves or gold or silver or spices. Nothing would suggest that the Chinese needed what other nations had.

Much has been made about the non-colonial nature of the voyages. But China has done it share of expansionism: a the time of the voyages China was expanding southward and westward into land that traditionally did not belong to the Han Chinese. Some kingdoms along Zheng's routes were conquered and puppet rulers loyal to the Ming were installed.

Purpose of Zheng He's Voyages : Gunboat Diplomacy?

Dr. Christina Lin of Johns Hopkins University wrote: “With the image of Zheng He and his treasure ships bearing gifts and trade, the Chinese have weaved this into an intricate narrative of a peaceful rise, portraying the swift ascent of Chinese economic, military, and naval power as the latest phase in a benign regional dominance with its provenance in the Ming era... Nonetheless, despite China touting Zheng He's peaceful intentions.

Some scholars such as Geoff Wade from National University of Singapore observed the voyages were about ‘gunboat diplomacy’, coercion, and recognition of Ming dominance. While the primary mission of the treasure fleet was to display Ming power and engage in trade, Zheng He had a mandate to also collect tribute and establish ties with rulers all around the Indian Ocean shores. [Source: “Dr. Christina Lin is a Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at SAIS-Johns Hopkins University, January 2015.

The purpose was to establish suzerainty under Ming Empire, and this policy was institutionalized later in 1636 when ruler Hong Taiji established Lifan Yuan (various translations as court of colonial affairs, office of barbarian control, office of Mongolian and Tibetan affairs) that became Lifan Bu in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Indeed if submission to the Dragon Throne was not forthcoming, Zheng He did not hesitate to intervene militarily. For example, the ruler of Sri Lanka refused to recognize the emperor and was taken to China as a prisoner, while similar fate befell two rulers in Sumatra.

Zheng's missions were intended to exert political and economic control across space rather than territorial control. By controlling economic lifelines of nodal points, networks, ports and trade routes, China was thus able to control trade. In do doing, a dominant maritime power reaps economic and political benefits by taking control of main port polities along major East-West maritime trade networks as well as the seas in between.

Related Post : Source : Wikipedia / factsanddetails

Great Ambitions of the Yongle Emperor


According to Columbia University's Asia for Educators: “The Ming dynasty (1368-1644) was a Chinese dynasty with a Chinese imperial family, as distinct from the dynasty that came before it (the Mongol, or Yuan, dynasty of Chinggis and Khubilai Khan) or the one that followed it (the Manchu, or Qing, dynasty). To demonstrate Ming power, the first emperors initiated campaigns to decisively defeat any domestic or foreign threat.

The third emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Di or the Yongle Emperor, was particularly aggressive and personally led major campaigns against Mongolian tribes to the north and west. He also wanted those in other countries to be aware of China's power, and to perceive it as the strong country he believed it had been in earlier Chinese dynasties, such as the Han and the Song; he thus revived the traditional tribute system. In the traditional tributary arrangement, countries on China's borders agreed to recognize China as their superior and its emperor as lord of "all under Heaven." These countries regularly gave gifts of tribute in exchange for certain benefits, like military posts and trade treaties.

In this system, all benefited, with both peace and trade assured. Because the Yongle emperor realized that the major threats to China in this period were from the north, particularly the Mongols, he saved many of those military excursions for himself. He sent his most trusted generals to deal with the Manchurian people to the north, the Koreans and Japanese to the east, and the Vietnamese in the south.

For ocean expeditions to the south and west, however, he decided that this time China should make use of its extremely advanced technology and all the riches the state had to offer. Lavish expeditions should be mounted in order to overwhelm foreign peoples and convince them beyond any doubt about Ming power. For this special purpose, he chose one of his most trusted generals, a man he had known since he was young, Zheng He.

Related Post : Source : Wikipedia / factsanddetails

Voyages Of Zheng He


China began extending its power out to sea during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) when it invaded Japan and Java. Even before that it established a Maritime Silk Road that carried more goods than the overland Silk Road. According to Columbia University's Asia for Educators: To satisfy growing Chinese demand for special spices, medicinal herbs, and raw materials, Chinese merchants cooperated with Moslem and Indian traders to develop a rich network of trade that reached beyond island southeast Asia to the fringes of the Indian Ocean.

Into the ports of eastern China came ginseng, lacquerware, celadon, gold and silver, horses and oxen from Korea and Japan. Into the ports of southern China came hardwoods and other tree products, ivory, rhinoceros horn, brilliant kingfisher feathers, ginger, sulfur and tin from Vietnam and Siam in mainland southeast Asia; cloves, nutmeg, batik fabrics, pearls, tree resins, and bird plumes from Sumatra, Java, and the Moluccas in island southeast Asia. Trade winds across the Indian Ocean brought ships carrying cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and especially pepper from Calicut on the southwestern coast of India, gemstones from Ceylon (Sri Lanka), as well as woolens, carpets, and more precious stones from ports as far away as Hormuz on the Persian Gulf and Aden on the Red Sea.

Agricultural products from north and east Africa also made their way to China, although little was known about those regions. By the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, China had reached a peak of naval technology unsurpassed in the world. While using many technologies of Chinese invention, Chinese shipbuilders also combined technologies they borrowed and adapted from seafarers of the South China seas and the Indian Ocean.

For centuries, China was the preeminent maritime power in the region, with advances in navigation, naval architecture, and propulsion. From the ninth century on, the Chinese had taken their magnetic compasses aboard ships to use for navigating (two centuries before Europe). In addition to compasses, Chinese could navigate by the stars when skies were clear, using printed manuals with star charts and compass bearings that had been available since the thirteenth century. Star charts had been produced from at least the eleventh century, reflecting China's concern with heavenly events

Zheng He commanded several treasure fleets – Chinese ships that explored and traded across Asia and Africa. His expeditions greatly expanded China’s trade. In 1403, the new emperor, Zhu Di, ordered the construction of the Treasure Fleet – a fleet of trading ships, warships and support vessels that would travel across the South China Sea and Indian Ocean. This was a big change for the Chinese empire; before 1403, China’s isolationist policies had forbidden foreign travel and trade. Zheng He took seven voyages as commander of the Treasure Fleet:
  • First voyage (1405-1407) : Zheng He was made commander of the Treasure Fleet and set sail for Calicut to purchase spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and pepper. The fleet traveled to Champa (southern Vietnam), Siam (Thailand), Malacca, and Java, through the Indian Ocean, and on to Calicut. On the return trip to China, the fleet stopped at Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

  • Second voyage (1408-1409) : The fleet traveled again to Calicut, Kochi and Siam (Thailand).

  • Third voyage (1409-1411) : Zheng He and the fleet sailed from China toward the Hormuz on the Persian Gulf, passing Champa (southern Vietnam) and Sumatra. In Champa, they traded with the native populations for ebony, lakawood, and aloewood in exchange for Chinese porcelain and silk.

  • Fourth voyage (1413-1415) : The emperor ordered the largest Treasure Fleet expedition yet assembled. It included 63 vessels and 28,560 men. The fleet traveled to India, Sumatra and then to Hormuz where they obtained sapphires, rubies, topaz, coral beads, amber, woolens, and beautiful carpets. On the return voyage, Zheng He brought envoys from nineteen countries as tribute to the emperor.

  • Fifth Voyage (1417-1419) : The emperor ordered Zheng He to return the envoys back to their home countries. During this voyage, the fleet stopped in Champa, Java, Sumatra, Malacca, the Maldive Islands, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Cochin, and Calicut. From there, the fleet ventured through Hormuz to Aden on the southern coast of Arabia near the entrance of the Red Sea. In Aden, Zheng He bartered gold, silver, porcelains, sandalwood and pepper for rare gems, pearls, coral amber and a giraffe. The giraffe was given as a tribute to the emperor. The fleet also traveled the eastern coast of Africa, returning envoys to Mogadishu, Brawa, and Malindi.

  • Sixth Voyage (1421) : Zheng He and the fleet returned the remaining envoys to their home countries. This was Zheng He’s shortest voyage. In 1424, the emperor died and his successor suspended all expeditions.

  • Seventh Voyage (1431-1433) : Zheng He’s last mission was to “explore the distant lands beyond the seas,” and beyond the realm of the emperor. The fleet traveled to Champa, Java, Sumatra, Malacca on the Malay Peninsula, finally arriving in Calicut. When the fleet split into two groups, Zheng He stayed in Calicut due to failing health. Zheng He died in 1433. Historians are split on whether he died in Calicut or on the return voyage to China, where he would have been buried at sea.

Related Post : Source : Wikipedia / factsanddetails / exploration.marinersmuseum

China Mosque In Malacca



Passionate Chinese Muslim community in this country who want a mosque architectural features China several years ago finally fully realized when Chinese Muslim mosque located in Malacca Krubong operational since June 26.

According to Chinese Muslim Mosque Imam 1 Melaka, Hashemi Kasim, 25, said China Mosque Muslim Melaka is the fourth built in the country after Kelantan, Perak and Penang. The concept was inspired by the architecture of the mosque architecture in China was obtained from the study of mosques and architecture around Beijing, Shanghai and Xian, which can accommodate over 1,200 worshipers at a time.



Next To Wisma MUSA / MAFA ( Hang Jebat Stadium )
( Click image to enlarge )




Source And Related Information : facebook.com/NegeriMelaka

The Seven Voyages of the Treasure Fleet

Zheng He and Ming China Rule the Indian Ocean, 1405-1433. Over a period of almost three decades in the early fifteenth century, Ming China sent out a fleet the likes of which the world had never seen.

These enormous treasure junks were commanded by the great admiral, Zheng He. Together, Zheng He and his armada made seven epic voyages from the port at Nanjing to India, Arabia, and even East Africa.

The First Voyage of Zheng He and the Treasure Fleet

In 1403, the Yongle Emperor ordered the construction of a huge fleet of ships capable of travel around the Indian Ocean. He put his trusted retainer, the Muslim eunuch Zheng He, in charge of construction. On July 11, 1405, after an offering of prayers to the protective goddess of sailors, Tianfei, the fleet set out for India with the newly-named admiral Zheng He in command.

The Treasure Fleet's first international port of call was Vijaya, the capital of Champa, near modern-day Qui Nhon, Vietnam. From there, they went to the island of Java in what is now Indonesia, carefully avoiding the fleet of pirate Chen Zuyi. The fleet made further stops at Malacca, Semudera (Sumatra), and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Zheng He beat a hasty retreat when he realized that the local ruler was hostile. The Treasure Fleet next went to Calcutta (Calicut) on the west coast of India. Calcutta was one of the world's major trade depots at the time, and the Chinese likely spent some time exchanging gifts with the local rulers.

On the way back to China, laden with tribute and envoys, the Treasure Fleet confronted the pirate Chen Zuyi at Palembang, Indonesia. Chen Zuyi pretended to surrender to Zheng He, but turned upon the Treasure Fleet and tried to plunder it. Zheng He's forces attacked, killing more than 5,000 pirates, sinking ten of their ships and capturing seven more. Chen Zuyi and two of his top associates were captured and taken back to China. They were beheaded on October 2, 1407.


On their return to China, Zheng He and his entire force of officers and sailors received monetary rewards from the Yongle Emperor. The emperor was very pleased with the tribute brought by the foreign emissaries, and with China's increased prestige in the eastern Indian Ocean basin.

The Second and Third Voyages of the Treasure Fleet

After presenting their tribute and receiving gifts from the Chinese emperor, the foreign envoys needed to go back to their homes. Therefore, later in 1407, the great fleet set sail once again, going as far as Ceylon with stops in Champa, Java and Siam (now Thailand). Zheng He's armada returned in 1409 with holds full of fresh tribute, and again turned right back for another two-year voyage (1409-1411). This third voyage, like the first, terminated at Calicut.

Zheng He's Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Voyages

After a two year respite on-shore, in 1413 the Treasure Fleet set out on its most ambitious expedition to date. Zheng He led his armada all the way to the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, making port calls at Hormuz, Aden, Muscat, Mogadishu and Malindi. He returned to China with exotic goods and creatures, famously including giraffes, which were interpreted as the mythical Chinese creature the qilin, a very auspicious sign indeed.

On the fifth and sixth voyages, the Treasure Fleet followed much the same track to Arabia and East Africa, asserting Chinese prestige and collecting tribute from as many as thirty different states and principalities. The fifth voyage spanned 1416 to 1419, while the sixth took place in 1421 and 1422.

In 1424, Zheng He's friend and sponsor, the Yongle Emperor, died while on a military campaign against the Mongols. His successor, the Hongxi Emperor, ordered an end to the expensive ocean-going voyages. However, the new emperor lived for just nine months after his coronation, and was succeeded by his more adventurous son, the Xuande Emperor. Under his leadership, the Treasure Fleet would make one last great voyage.

The Seventh Voyage of the Treasure Fleet

On June 29, 1429, the Xuande Emperor ordered preparations for a final voyage of the Treasure Fleet. He appointed Zheng He to command the fleet, even though the great eunuch admiral was 59 years old and in poor health.

This last great voyage took three years, and visited at least 17 different ports between Champa and Kenya. On the way back to China, likely in what are now Indonesian waters, Admiral Zheng He died. He was buried at sea, and his men brought a braid of his hair and a pair of his shoes back to be buried in Nanjing.

Legacy of the Treasure Fleet

Faced with the Mongol threat on their northwest border, and the huge financial drain of the expeditions, Ming scholar-officials deplored the extravagant voyages of the Treasure Fleet. Later emperors and scholars sought to erase the memory of these great expeditions from Chinese history.

However, Chinese monuments and artifacts scattered all around the rim of the Indian Ocean, as far as the Kenyan coast, provide solid evidence of Zheng He's passage. In addition, Chinese records of several of the voyages remain, in the writings of such shipmates as Ma Huan, Gong Zhen and Fei Xin. Thanks to these traces, historians and the public at large can still ponder the amazing tales of these adventures that took place 600 years ago.

Source : asianhistory.about
 
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