Zheng He and his voyage in Ming Dynasty - Term Paper Example

?Introduction The Zheng He voyages were the first large scale voyages undertaken in the 15th Century (Dreyer, 2006). They were unrivaled in the number of ships, sizes of those ships, the distance traversed with each voyage and even the number of seamen on the same. Zheng He, the Admiral and commander of these expeditions was entrusted by the Imperial court of China and the emperor to undertake these missions that were to serve mainly diplomatic purposes. He would surpass the court’s expectations upon return from each voyage with valuable trinkets and exotic, expensive goods from trade. In this article, the whole process and technical aspects of the Zheng He voyages during the Ming dynasty will be analyzed. This article will introduce Zheng He as an individual, his background and ascension to the position of Admiral. Furthermore, the article will lay emphasis on the impact of these voyages to the state of China and to some degree the countries or territories visited. Key areas that will be examined for this are Chinese culture, politics, history, business and trade. In addition, the effects of the voyages on countries toured will also be discussed. Attention will be diverted towards the reasons for the start of the voyages and ultimately those for their demise as a conclusion. Discussion Zeng He was born in 1371in Jinning, China and named Ma He (Chinaculture.org, 2005). Scholars indicate that his ancestors were of Arabian descent who immigrated into China during the Song and Tang dynasties between 7th and 13th Century AD. Research indicates that the great grandfather of Zeng He was appointed governor of Yunnan Province and is believed to have been a member of the Mongol Garrison in that province. During his childhood, Zheng’s home province of Yunnan fell under siege by the emperor of China and the ruler of the Ming dynasty at the time. He was taken to imperial court to serve as a eunuch. A eunuch is a person, who is castrated and forced to work for the government against his will (Chinaculture.org, 2005). Through service to Zhu Yuanzhang, he became prominent through aiding in the defeat of the Yuan Dynasty. He was rewarded with a promotion to an official government post. Zhu Di, Zhu’s fourth son initiated a coup in which Zeng played an integral role in Zhu Di’s acquisition of the throne. He was rewarded with the command of the Chinese navy. With this position, he wielded great influence and power at the court. An alternative reflection of historical texts is that upon ascension to the throne in 1402, Emperor Cheng appointed Zheng to command a large fleet of ships to the area known as Western Sea (Church, 2005). Zeng He’s voyages in the Ming Dynasty constitute this fleet of ships to distant lands. The ships travelled to nations in Southeast Asia and Africa (Levathes, 1997). The ships carried large quantities of products including food stuffs, silks, ornaments, soldiers and sailors. The voyages are considered a feat in navigation in that era. Though unexpected at the time, in Chinese history, they contributed considerably to trade and exchanges in culture. Historians believe that between the years 1405 and 1433, Zheng led his fleet of ships in seven voyages. The number of ships in each voyage ranged from between forty to sixty three. The total number of people on each voyage was estimated to be approximately twenty seven thousand. The ships navigated a vast area of seas and oceans from Ryuku Islands, Philippines, Mozambique all the way to South Africa. Mutual trade between China and the native lands the ships docked was developed. Cultures and technologies were also exchanged in addition to promotion of social economic development and enhancement of maritime traffic practices. The large fleets conducted voyages on the Indian Ocean astonishing the proficient Arab navigators of the time and Venetian merchants. These led to adoption of naval enlightenment to states in Europe (Church, 2005). Zeng He’s first expedition was in July 1405. Church (2005) observes that, “The vast fleet is believed to have sailed from the harbor at Liujia on a distant voyage unlike any other at the time and its main purpose was to set friendly ties and mutual alliances with foreign countries” (p. 20). In addition, they served an added purpose of expanding the trading regions and contacts, search of treasures and precious goods, and other luxurious items. On the first trip, Zheng’s fleet passed by Fujian through Zhancheng to Sri Lanka and Java. On the fleet’s return, it made its way to the Indian west coast and returned to dock home in 1407. Upon return, Emperor Zu was delighted with Zheng He’s visits to foreign lands and considered these extraordinary and exemplarily patriotic as an envoy and aide (Levathes, 1997). Dreyer (2006) notes that, “The voyages comprised crews of sailors, linguistic interpreters, soldiers, meteorologists, craftsmen, sailors and medics. The cargo was diversified and could fall into forty or more categories” (p. 32). These included: porcelain, cotton garments, silk, iron, straw mats, gold, mercury and silver among others. Historians believe that the total number of countries visited by Zheng He’s fleets were approximately 30. With each expedition undertaken, Zheng acted as a special envoy to the land visited and representative of the imperial court. Zheng called upon the respective rulers of the countries visited, presented them with gifts symbolizing China’s wishes or intent to create friendly and lasting relations with the host countries. In addition, Zheng invited the host nations to send emissaries to China as signs of diplomatic goodwill intended to strengthen diplomatic ties. As a scholar he made careful and intricate studies on habits, customs and prevalent technologies utilized by residents in the hosting country (Dreyer, 2006). In his exploits as Imperial China’s Admiral and envoy, Zheng conducted his interactions with local people with utmost due respect. He bartered, traded, negotiated and consulted primarily on a basis of respect, equal benefit and mutuality. He is also famed for taking back to China precious and rare animals such as lions, ostrich and giraffe, which are difficult to find in Asia. He is credited for having offered huge amounts of gold and silver to Buddhists in Sri Lanka and receiving warm reception wherever he sailed (Rongxia, 2005). Archeologists estimate that on his first voyage, Zheng’s largest ship on his fleet was handled by 200 men with a passenger capacity of 1000. Also, it was fitted with 12 sails set on 9 masts. In comparison, these Chinese junks as they are known dwarfed the ships used by European explorers, sailors and navies. Rongxia (2005) reiterates that, “Other vessels in the fleet might not have been the same height but they carried an approximated number of 500 passengers” (p. 45) Most problems encountered pertaining navigation was solved scientifically and in a rational manner. For instance, the manner in which stability and buoyancy were achieved, collection of fresh water, direction and heading through the use of a compass were all sample problems tackled during Zheng’s sea faring days. Furthermore, navigational charts and other sailing equipment were developed during this time. As a result, these technological advancements enabled Zheng’s fleets to sail both at night and in stormy weather, which considerably reduced visibility. Surprisingly, Zheng kept an up to date and detailed log account and made nautical charts practices not common in the 15th Century. China was in those days the world’s leader in technologies related to ship building and navigation sciences (Dreyer, 2006). Zheng He’s voyages undoubtedly had an overwhelming impact on his Native country, China, its emperor, its people and other facets of the local population such as culture. As previously established, Zheng and his crewmen made detailed observations of people’s culture from the local lands visited. These observations were a basis for better understanding of the native peoples and a means of enhancing and guaranteeing cordial relations amongst the Chinese and native ethnicities visited during these voyages. For example, (Rongxia, 2005) observed that Chinese sailors touring ancient India created an admirable impression on the local folk through observation of local customs and trading practices and imitating or conforming. One such practice was the clapping of hands to signify the completion of a business deal in light of all present. This was a form of a promise or contractual aspect of market place trade in India. (p. 76). Chinese history i.e. religious beliefs, customs and traditions therefore tended to rub off or got adopted to and from the Chinese sailors and eventually the Chinese population. This is evidenced by the similarities in religious practices of Buddhism in countries of Southeast Asia and China. However, after the passage of several decades after his last voyage, imperial officials sought to delete the memories of the voyages from the Chinese people. As a result, tales, fables and paintings documenting the voyages accounts have flourished since. Current day China culture cannot be exclusively proclaimed pure and unaltered from the effects and results of these voyages. Though hard to verify, the vast number of people who sailed with Zheng on any particular voyage (approximately 27000 on each), in speculation learnt, adopted and practiced cultural traits they observed and deemed desirable or beneficial while in those foreign lands (Church, 2005). These voyages impacted the History of China and that of the world in various ways. Historians agree that Zheng’s voyages were of major importance. This was both to China and the world with respect to navigation and historical records. These acts were a significant part of China’s cultural heritage and a turning point in the development of global civilization (Goldstone, 2001). The emperor’s efforts of opening up China, ensuring friendliness to other nations, diplomatic missions and inclusiveness aided in the creation of the super power and its prosperity. These actions contributed in a large way to the cultivation of the nation’s history and prosperity. As the world’s most populous country, lessons learnt from its history have molded the nation and its people to strive for global harmony and take pride in their reach culture forged during the Ming dynasty and through these voyages. This history can be considered as a unifying factor in the country and beyond. Chinese civilization played and has continued to play a great role in international relations, cultural diffusion around the world and technological advancements the world over. The voyages definitely opened the gateway to achievement of these. They marked and illustrated the explosive development of China in ancient times reenacted in the past two decades through the country’s economic growth and global status as a super power (Dreyer, 2006). Another impact of these voyages was on the politics of China during this period and subsequent decades. According to studies and historical records, Zheng He’s voyages enticed emissaries and foreign envoys totaling to a rough figure of 318 per year to visit China about 15 times each. Rongxia (2005) states that, “the Chinese were good natured and generous and did not threaten the existence of other races or nationalities” (p.4). Within this duration, Malacca was probably the nation that China created the greatest friendly ties, mutual understanding, and business relationship with. The small area of this land was able to establish and strengthen great political ties and diplomatic relationship with China. This relationship was maintained for centuries. At the start of the voyages, Chinese people were already residents of this land. Malacca served as a strategic and useful area of transit and the restocking of fleets’ supplies. The area residents in effect received gifts from the fleet in exchange (Lee & Cameron, 1997). Zheng’s voyages had numerous profound effects on China’s business relations, trade and technology. In the years during and decades following these voyages, there was increased trade between China and the countries these fleets visited. Due to lack of a mutual currency, trade was conducted using the barter trade system where they exchanged goods which they had in excess for their own mutual and respective benefits. The fleets’ objectives were to primarily impress and satisfy their commissioner, the Emperor. Later exchanges did involve larger variety of commodities for sale to the Chinese markets. Trade ties created during this period were strong and to the extent that Chinese sailors in later periods were admired in the lands visited in later decades and ages (Levathes, 1997). The treasure ships carried a vast number of special products made in China to these foreign states. These included enamel ware, brocade, gauze, and celadon. To China, the fleets carried building materials, fuels and wild animals. Great technological advancements were also achieved in China and the lands visited as the trading nations exchanged their current and beneficial technologies. For example, the expertise of adding borax to glass to give it heat resisting capabilities was acquired during these voyages (Lee & Cameron, 1997). Indeed, during one of Zheng’s voyages, an Arabian glass artisan travelled to China on board the returning ships to pass on techniques for sintering glass vessels to the local Chinese artisans. The type of glass achieved was later to become a common and widely used material in the making of household utensils. The expeditions and the knowledge imparted by the faring seamen to their relatives and resident Chinese provided vivid descriptions of faraway lands that captivated the imaginations of the Chinese (Church, 2005). Rongxia (2005) adds that, “The mission of the Zheng He voyages was to interact through trade and create cordial relations with countries of the world as well as to showcase the might and power of China” (p. 98). With great economic importance, trade and the exchange of goods and technology were high on the agenda of each expedition. Custodians of Chinese history state that the voyages were not geared towards aggressive purposes and conquests of new lands but rather to enhance good nature and friendly relations. This was so much the case that Zheng He and his crew are believed to have acted as advocates of peace in the lands they encountered strife and disputes amongst the indigenous communities. As testimony to their mission and efforts at ensuring peace and harmony within these nations, and cordial relations with China, no nation was ever colonized by China during this period of 28 years (Rongxia, 2005). Nations visited were in Asia and Africa at a time when China was probably the most powerful nation in the world. Another aspect of Zheng He’s endeavors was that neither Zheng nor his crewmen nor Chinese considered or regarded the lands toured as discoveries as European navigators did. The tendency of marking lands, people and geographical features as great discoveries was not adopted by the Chinese, chiefly because they did not consider themselves as colonizers and had no interest in conquering or colonizing new lands. This tendency was however rampant in European navigators during the 15th Century and was maintained well into the 19th Century (Church, 2005). Numerous theories have been postulated by historians to explain the cause or reasons of ending of the Zheng He voyages. For instance, Goldstone (2001) argues that “He’s voyages had ended due to practical reasons that did not necessarily reflect China’s level regarding technology” (p. 18). Historical accounts indicate that State Sponsored naval expeditions in the Ming Dynasty decreased abruptly after Zheng He’s voyages. This was attributed to the rising insurgency by Mongolian tribes experienced by China starting in the 15th Century. Acknowledging this threat, the Emperor moved his quarters and court from Nanjing to Beijing in 1421 where he could better monitor and command the Chinese military forces against the Mongols. The move was also designed to enable the Emperor to move closer to his family’s ancestral power base. An added effort was the commissioning of annual expeditions of Chinese forces to Mongolia to weaken them. This imposed a great financial burden and competition for funds between these campaigns and naval voyages’ funds that were necessary for continued expeditions (Dreyer, 2006). Deng (1997) illustrates that, “later events in the span of the same century would cripple naval expeditions and expend most if not all of their funding” (p. 36). These voyages would become impossible to execute and lack priority at court. This started with the ambush of the emperor and military land expedition he was leading in 1449 by the Mongolian army. The ambush took place in close proximity to Beijing and its walls and led to the capture of emperor Zhengtong. The battle indicated clearly the danger posed by the northern nomads to China and also resulted in political upheaval when the emperor was released after his half brother had already declared himself emperor and ascended to the throne. An added consequence posed by this attack on China’s security was the expensive expansion of the Great Wall of China (Levathes, 1997). Conclusion The Zheng He voyages were remarkable feats in naval records, state of technology and human ability at the time they were conducted. They provided a wealth of knowledge and pioneered many specialist practices such as navigation, naval command, ship building, politics, diplomacy, and trade that are still practiced and have proved useful to date. The voyages were therefore a great contribution to the Chinese people and the entire human civilization. References Chinaculture.org (2005). Admiral Zheng He (1371-1433). Retrieved 13 April 2012, from Church, K. (2005). Zheng He: An Investigation into the Plausibility of 450-Ft Treasure Ships. China Heritage Newsletter, June 2005. Deng, G. (1997) Chinese Maritime Activities and Socioeconomic Development c. 2100 B.C.–1900 A.D. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. Dreyer, E. (2006). Zheng He: China and the Oceans in the Early Ming Dynasty, 1405-1433. Longman Goldstone, J. (2001). The Rise of the West—or Not? A Revision to Socio-economic History, University of California, Davis, February 2001 Lee, J. & Cameron, C. (1997). Fate and Fortune in Rural China. New York: Cambridge University Press. Levathes, L. (1997). When China Ruled the Seas: The Treasure Fleet of the Dragon Throne, 1405–1433. Oxford University Press, Rongxia, L. (2005). Significance of Zheng He’s Voyages. Retrieved 13 April 2012, from Read More