Timeline of Admiral Zheng He, the Muslim eunuch who commanded seven Ming treasure fleets across the Indian Ocean from 1405 to 1433, expanding Chinese influence and trade.
Zheng He, originally named Ma He, is born into a Muslim family in Kunyang, Yunnan, during the final years of Mongol rule. #history #exploration
At age 10, Zheng He is captured by Ming troops during the conquest of Yunnan. He is castrated and sent to serve in the household of Prince Zhu Di, the future Yongle Emperor. #history
Zheng He proves his loyalty and skill in military campaigns, earning the trust of Zhu Di. He adopts the surname Zheng after his service at the Battle of Zhenglunba. #history
Zhu Di becomes the Yongle Emperor after a civil war. He appoints Zheng He as Grand Director of the Directorate of Palace Servants, a powerful position. #history
Zheng He commands a fleet of over 300 ships and 27,000 men, departing from Nanjing. The fleet visits Champa, Java, Sumatra, Malacca, and reaches Calicut, India. #exploration #history
The fleet returns to China with envoys from various kingdoms, including the King of Calicut. Zheng He defeats the pirate Chen Zuyi in Palembang, securing the Strait of Malacca. #history #exploration
Immediately after returning, Zheng He embarks on a second voyage to bring Indian rulers to pay homage. The fleet visits Calicut, Quilon, and Ceylon. #exploration
Zheng He leads a third expedition to the spice ports of Kerala and the Persian Gulf. The fleet visits Hormuz, Malacca, and establishes a base at the Strait of Malacca. #exploration #trade
During the third voyage, Zheng He defeats and captures King Alakeshvara of Ceylon (Kotte) for attacking the Chinese fleet. The king is taken to Nanjing. #history #military
The fourth voyage reaches Hormuz, the Arabian Sea, and the Maldives. A Chinese interpreter, Ma Huan, records detailed observations of foreign lands. #exploration #culture
The fleet returns with exotic animals including a giraffe (interpreted as the mythical qilin) from Bengal, presented to the Yongle Emperor as a sign of divine favor. #history
Zheng He's fifth expedition reaches the Horn of Africa, visiting Mogadishu, Barawa, and Malindi. The fleet brings back African envoys and rare animals. #exploration #africa
The sixth voyage departs after the Yongle Emperor's death, but is carried out under the new Hongxi Emperor. It revisits Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and East Africa. #exploration
The fleet returns to China. The new Hongxi Emperor, opposed to costly expeditions, suspends further voyages and orders the fleet to be mothballed. #history
During the interregnum, Zheng He serves as garrison commander of Nanjing, responsible for maintaining the fleet in reserve. #history
The Xuande Emperor revives the treasure voyages, ordering a final expedition to reassert Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean. #history
Zheng He, now aged 60, commands the largest fleet yet, with over 300 ships and 27,500 men. The voyage visits ports from Malacca to East Africa. #exploration
The fleet establishes trade relations in Calicut, India, and Hormuz, Persia. Zheng He erects a stele in Calicut commemorating the voyages. #trade #history
The fleet arrives back in Nanjing, bringing last tributary envoys. The Xuande Emperor ends further expeditions, marking the end of China's maritime expansion. #history
Zheng He dies during the return voyage, likely in Calicut or near Java. His body is buried at sea, with a ceremonial tomb built in Nanjing. #history
With the death of the Xuande Emperor, the Confucian courtiers permanently halt the treasure voyages. The fleet ships are left to rot. #history
Conservative officials led by Liu Daxia destroy or hide Zheng He's nautical charts and logs to discourage future expeditions. #history
The Ming court decrees a ban on building ships with more than two masts, effectively ending large-scale maritime trade. #history
The manuscript 'Ming Shi' mentions Zheng He's voyages, but many details are lost. Later, the 'Ming History' compiled in the Qing dynasty preserves accounts. #history
French sinologist Édouard Chavannes publishes an article on Zheng He, sparking modern scholarly interest in the treasure voyages. #history
Dutch sinologist J.J.L. Duyvendak publishes groundbreaking studies on Zheng He, translating Chinese chronicles into English. #history
A stele erected by Zheng He in Galle, Sri Lanka, bearing inscriptions in Chinese, Tamil, and Persian, is rediscovered, confirming his visits. #history #archaeology
English translation of Ma Huan's detailed account of the voyages, 'The Overall Survey of the Ocean's Shores', is published. #history #literature
The Chinese government restores Zheng He's tomb and builds a museum in Nanjing to honor his achievements. #history
China holds international conferences and exhibitions commemorating Zheng He's birth, promoting his legacy as a peaceful explorer. #history
British author Gavin Menzies publishes '1421: The Year China Discovered the World', claiming Zheng He's fleet reached the Americas, sparking debate among historians. #history #controversy
China marks the 600th anniversary of the first treasure voyage with a nationwide Zheng He Day, including exhibitions and academic symposiums. #history
China's official 'Belt and Road Initiative' evokes Zheng He's voyages as historical precedent for peaceful maritime exchange. #history #politics
A statue of Zheng He is erected in Malacca, Malaysia, to commemorate his role in establishing diplomatic and trade ties. #history #culture
A Chinese replica of a treasure ship sails from Nanjing to Kenya, retracing Zheng He's route to promote cultural exchange. #history #exploration
Archaeologists discover Ming porcelain and shipwreck fragments on Kenya's coast, supporting evidence of Zheng He's visits. #history #archaeology
China and international groups hold ceremonies and forums to honor Zheng He's contributions to maritime history and global trade. #history