Zheng He died around 1435 in Nanjing, aged about 64. A Chinese admiral and diplomat of the Ming dynasty, Zheng He was born into a Muslim family in Yunnan and entered the service of the Prince of Yan, the future Yongle Emperor, as a eunuch. Between 1405 and 1433 he commanded seven great naval expeditions with fleets of large ships and many thousands of men. They sailed to Southeast Asia, India, the Persian Gulf, Arabia and the east coast of Africa, establishing diplomatic and trade ties and displaying Ming power. The voyages were halted after the reign of the Xuande Emperor, and the exact circumstances of his death, around 1433 to 1435, are uncertain. He is remembered across Southeast Asia and in China as a symbol of peaceful maritime contact.
Before and after
- 30 May 1431Death of Joan of Arc
- 1432Ghent Altarpiece
- 30 March 1432Birth of Mehmed II
- 1434Construction of Malmö Castle
- c. 1435Death of Zheng He
- c. 1436Origins of Chișinău
- from 1438 to 1552Khanate of Qazan
- from 1438 to 1533Inca Empire
- 1439Printing press
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The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 15th century.