Zheng He - A great Voyager

I got to knew about Zheng He through one of the recent issue of National Geographic. Though we had a lot of mention about Vasco da gama and Columbus in the history subject during our school days, I don't even vaguely remember Zheng He, before this enlightening and vividy written article. Here's the life of a great icon in short.

Zheng He - known as Ma He - a central asian muslim - born to a rural official in a Mongolian Province - taken captive and ritually castrated by a Chinese army that overthrew the Mongols in 1382 (Zheng He was related to Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire. The Mughals of India also claim their descendance from  Genghis Khan and are considered as turkic-mongol is another different story) - Assigned to work for Zhu Di - he rose to a key strategist - that made Zhu Di the emperor in 1402 - Chosen to lead one of the powerful naval forces ever ensembled - he went to Thailand, Malacca Straits, Indonesia, Srilanka, Malabar Coast in India, and to Swahilli Coast in Africa and then to few countries in Africa and then to Arabic countries - tried to develop the ocean trade with these countries - mutual visit of ambassadors - thus mixing business exploration and diplomacy - and therefore established China as the leader during the 15th Century.

The major land battle was fought in Srilanka - that was witnessing the fight between Tamils and two mutually hostile Sinhalese Buddhist rulers - Zheng He fought a battle and brought a settlement - which was then ruled by Sinhalese king Parakramabahu VI for 55 years after it - But after which the violence erupts again, and ironically still today the fighting continues (Well, to be precise, the wars were happening, since 2nd Century BC (250 BCE), as per the history available - probably starting with Chola King - Elara - also known as Manuneedhi Cholan).

Zheng He spent a good amount of time in the Malabar coast around cochin in kerala in India. He had initiated a lot of trade particulary the spices with India, and his jottings in 15th century describing the spice trade remains very much unchanged even today. Zheng He is said to have died during his way back to China from the visit to Mecca and arabic countries during his 7th Voyage. During these years of his voyage China too has moved its capital from Nanjing to Beijing. Zheng He is said to be a good natured and generous man. Zheng he (as he was castrated) adopted his brother's son.