The Dragon's Wake
An exploration of China's monumental maritime expeditions that reshaped global horizons from 1405 to 1433.
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Background
Imperial Mandate
Initiated by the Yongle Emperor in 1403, the Ming treasure voyages were a series of ambitious maritime expeditions. The emperor commissioned the construction of a vast treasure fleet, comprising over 2,800 vessels by 1419, to project Ming China's power and influence across the known world.
The Fleet's Scale
The treasure fleet, originally designated the 'foreign expeditionary armada' (Xiafan Guanjun), was a formidable force. It included numerous trading ships, warships, and specialized treasure ships, constructed primarily at the Longjiang shipyard near Nanjing.
Navigational Reach
These voyages spanned from 1405 to 1433, covering extensive maritime regions known as the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. The expeditions reached as far west as the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa, establishing a significant Chinese presence across vast oceanic networks.
Voyage Routes
Early Voyages (1-3)
The initial voyages (1405-1411) followed a consistent route: from Fujian, calling at Champa, then across the South China Sea to Java and Sumatra. After regrouping in northern Sumatra, the fleet sailed across the Indian Ocean to Ceylon and along the Malabar Coast to Calicut, India.
Expanding Horizons (4-7)
Subsequent voyages extended the fleet's reach. The fourth voyage reached Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. The final three voyages ventured further, exploring the Arabian Peninsula and the coasts of East Africa, demonstrating the increasing ambition and capability of the Ming navy.
Key Ports of Call
Major destinations included Champa, Java, Malacca, Sumatra (Semudera, Aru, Lambri), Ceylon, Calicut, Hormuz, Aden, Mogadishu, and Brava. These stops facilitated trade, diplomacy, and the projection of Ming influence.
The Seven Voyages
First Voyage (1405-1407)
Led by Zheng He, this voyage involved 27,000 troops and reached Calicut. It famously included the suppression of Chen Zuyi's pirate fleet at Palembang, securing the Malacca Strait.
Second Voyage (1407-1409)
This expedition visited numerous states, including Siam, Java, and Cochin. It also involved diplomatic missions and the resolution of disputes, such as the conflict in Java.
Third Voyage (1409-1411)
Notable for its confrontation with King Alakeshvara of Ceylon, resulting in the capture of the capital and the installation of a pro-Ming ruler. The fleet returned with significant tribute and captives.
Fourth Voyage (1413-1415)
This voyage extended the reach to Hormuz and included visits to Muslim countries. It saw the participation of interpreters like Ma Huan, who documented the journeys.
Fifth Voyage (1417-1419)
The fleet continued its extensive travels, reaching East Africa and the Persian Gulf. Archaeological evidence, such as porcelain finds, supports the documented routes and trade activities.
Sixth Voyage (1421-1422)
Escorting envoys from sixteen countries, this voyage reinforced diplomatic ties. The fleet's activities were temporarily suspended by the Yongle Emperor to focus on military campaigns against the Mongols.
Seventh Voyage (1431-1433)
Under the Xuande Emperor, this final voyage revisited many regions, including East Africa and the Persian Gulf. It marked the end of the grand expeditions, with Zheng He likely dying around this period.
Key Figures
Yongle Emperor
The visionary emperor who ordered the construction of the treasure fleet and initiated the voyages. His reign (1402-1424) saw the first six expeditions, driven by a desire for expansion, diplomacy, and control over maritime trade.
Admiral Zheng He
A trusted eunuch admiral who commanded the treasure fleets. His leadership was crucial to the success and scale of the voyages, navigating complex political and geographical landscapes.
Chroniclers
Figures like Ma Huan and Gong Zhen served as chroniclers and interpreters, documenting the voyages. Their writings provide invaluable firsthand accounts of the geography, cultures, and events encountered.
Impact and Legacy
Global Reach
The voyages established Ming China as the pre-eminent naval power of the early 15th century. They fostered regional integration, facilitated cross-cultural exchanges, and created a cosmopolitan space across Asia and Africa.
Diplomatic & Tributary System
The expeditions aimed to bring foreign lands into China's tributary system, reinforcing the emperor's legitimacy and promoting diplomatic relations. They established institutionalized tributary relations, often through trade, benefiting participating polities.
Trade and Commerce
While primarily diplomatic and militaristic, the voyages also stimulated maritime commerce. They helped restructure the maritime network, supporting key ports and contributing to the circulation of goods, ideas, and people across continents.
Cessation and Aftermath
End of the Voyages
The voyages ceased in 1433, possibly due to a combination of factors including shifts in political power favoring civil officials over eunuchs, changing imperial priorities, and internal bureaucratic rivalries, rather than solely economic reasons.
Shift in Policy
Following the cessation, Ming China turned away from extensive maritime exploration. The imperial navy was diminished, naval infrastructure neglected, and policies were enacted to discourage overseas engagement, leading to a power vacuum in the Indian Ocean.
Lingering Influence
Despite the end of official voyages, maritime trade continued. The infrastructure and connections established during the expeditions laid a foundation for subsequent regional maritime activities, influencing the course of global trade and interaction.
Study
Key Questions
Consider the primary motivations behind the voyages: were they purely diplomatic, driven by trade, or intended for military projection? How did the internal politics of the Ming court influence the continuation and eventual cessation of these expeditions?
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References
References
- Circa December and January (Dreyer 2007, 30; Mills 1970, 9)
- A zhang was ten chi and a chi was 10.5รขยย12 inches (Dreyer 2007, 65).
- See Dreyer (2007, 150รขยย163) and Mills (1970, 14รขยย18).
- The Kunlun Ocean is the waters around Poulo Condore and the Con Son Islands (Dreyer 2007, 160; Mills 1970, 17).
- Major ports in their respective regions included Palembang on the Malaccan Strait, Calicut on the Malabar coast, and Mombasa on the Swahili Coast (See Sen 2016).
- There are no exact translations for these military ranks. In this case, the article's text follows Mills (1970).
- The bureau director from the Ministry of Finance was probably the principal purser for the fleet (Dreyer 2007, 128).
- The protocol officers from the Court of State Ceremonial were in charge of the reception of foreign envoys to the Chinese capital (Dreyer 2007, 128).
- The power corps likely operated heavy (war) equipment (Mills 1970, 32).
- Dreyer (2007, 123) thinks that the fleet had a total of 255 ships, including the treasure ships, but he also mentions that the figure for 317 ships is credible and accepted in most accounts.
- Yang, Rong (1515). Yang Wenmin Gong Ji [The Collected Works of Yang Rong]. Jianan, Yang shi chong kan ben. Chapter 1. Translation in Levathes (1996), 115.
- Changle inscription (15th century). Translation by Duyvendak (1939; 1949) in Needham (1959), 558.
- Mingshi (Cited in Duyvendak 1939, 397); Mingshi, Xuanzong Shilu, and Mingshi Jishi Benmo (Cited in Dreyer 2007, 173รขยย175).
- Suryadinata (2005a), xv; Suryadinata (2005b), 72รขยย91.
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