Zheng He

Zheng He (Wade-Giles: Chêng Ho; 1371–1433/1435) was a Chinese admiral and diplomat from the early Ming dynasty. His extensive explorations along the Indian Ocean led to a major increase in China's political and commercial influence. He was born into a Muslim family as Ma He and later adopted the surname Zheng conferred onto him by the Yongle Emperor (r. 1402–1424). He is also widely known in Chinese culture by the alias San Bao (三宝/三保), also spelled Sam Po, which in names of Southeast Asian temples can refer either to him or to the Three Jewels of Buddhism. Between 1405 and 1433, Zheng commanded seven treasure voyages across Asia under the commission of the Yongle Emperor and the succeeding Xuande Emperor (r. 1425–1435). According to legend, Zheng's largest ships were almost twice as long as any wooden ship ever recorded, and carried hundreds of sailors on four decks. As emphasised by Tansen Sen, the powerful Ming navy brought a new militaristic presence to the Indian Ocean. It also encouraged state-controlled trade networks extending from China all the way to the Swahili coast of Africa. A favorite of the Yongle Emperor, whom Zheng assisted in the Jingnan campaign that overthrew the previous Jianwen Emperor in 1402, Zheng He rose to the top of the Ming imperial hierarchy and served as commander of the southern capital Nanjing.