Ming Dynasty
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The great maritime voyages during the Ming Dynasty followed established routes by sailors during the Han Dynasty. These routes were used for diplomatic reasons during the Han. Detailed sea routes mapped trade with China and countries in the Arabian Peninsula. The person chose to lead the great Treasure Fleet of China was Zheng He. This paper will examine the reason for the pursuit of the expeditions of Zheng he and the ultimate decision to end these maritime expeditions.
He was born in Yunan and at the age of eleven, Ming troops dispatched to quell an uprising, he was captured and castrated along with others. Now this eunuch is a trusted advisor to the prince. His political ascension was met with respect since Zheng He during the Jingnan Campaign helped Emperor Yongle attain the throne. Zheng He served at various posts in the new dynasty.
The Ming government, led by Emperor Yongle, embarked on seven naval explorations. Emperor Yongle sought to establish domination of the Chinese in areas of commerce, total control of the Indian Ocean and to impress the population of the region by extending the tributary system. China thought of itself as superior to all other peoples and sought to make countries vassals to China and their trading rules. Zheng he was placed in charge as Admiral of the expeditions due in large part to his trustfulness and speaking Arabic. The first voyage departed with 31 ships and over 27,000 crewmen on July 11, 1404 from the port of Suzhou.
These ships were no normal ships, from May 1403 through October 1403; the emperor ordered 337 ships to be built and 188 flat bottom boats to be converted for ocean voyages. (Levathes) Levathes writes in her book that construction or retrofitting occurred on 1,647 ships from 1404-1407. Emperor Yongle was serious about expanding his territory and being supreme and uncontested on the waters. This chaotic activity of ship building was very organized with everything having a proper sequence to be done. Craftsmen were organized into households and each house hold had their specialists to ensure construction was done timely and correctly. To build the ships shipyards had to be built and these shipyards were as massive as the ships they built. Shipyards were built in the provinces of Suzhou, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Hunan, and Guangdong.
Not all boats were largess but a few were, the largest ships were called treasure ships. Levathes writes about the exact specifications of these ships. She says, “The bao chuan (treasure boar) or long chuan (dragon boat) were “44 chang 4 chi long and 18 zhang wide.The estimates are the length of the treasure ships is around 390 to 408 feet long and 160-166 feet wide.” (Levathes) Remember these ships could not too enormous and be seaworthy; the ships had to be able to navigate the waters effectively. Also Levathes writes about the Emperor, she says, “size is equated with grandeur, and, at the same time he was building the treasure fleet he also ordered the construction of a huge stone stele for his fathers tomb.” So clearly he sought to cement his role in the Ming Dynasty.
The strength of the ships used Chinese ingenuity. Levathes writes:
“to strengthen these huge ships, a watertight bulwark compartments modeled after the multi chambered structure of a bamboo stalk.also used a balanced rudder that could be raised and lowered creating additional stability like an extra keel. A “balanced” rudder placed as much of the rudder forward of the stern post as behind it and made such large boats as the treasure ships easier to steer.”(Levathes)
Although the ships had cannons to use, these ships were not made to fight, but made to impress. Large grand cabins for visiting envoys to adjourn to. These ships carried good to be traded such as Ming China and silks to trade with other states they may encounter along their voyages. Most of the other ships were outfitted with supplies and tools to repair ships while under way, water carriers for fresh water for the crew, supplies to sustain the men on the voyages, and horse ships.
Communication is extremely important with an armada this size. All ships had the same compliment of equipment to effectively communicate with the entire fleet to warn of storms and to take safe harbor. This equipment consisted of drums, bells, large flag, lanterns for night use, and even carrier pigeons for long range communications. Each ship had a flag that denoted what squadron the ship belonged to.
All told seven expeditions were completed with Zheng returning with many trophies and envoys from other kingdoms made into vassal states for purpose of trade.
Zheng visited Brunei, Thailand, India, Southeast Asia, Horn of Africa and Arabia and on the last voyage traveled to the Strait of Hormuz. Upon return to China the Emperor was presented with gifts having traded for along their route. Some notable gifts include an ostrich, zebras, camels, ivory, and a giraffe from Malindi. The voyages were not for trade alone. China gained detailed information of the world around them. By expanding further southwest a more clear understanding of Arabia and