Zheng He and the Fleets That Came Before Europe

In the early 1400s, long before European powers began crossing oceans in force, a fleet of enormous ships was already moving across the Indian Ocean. They sailed from China to Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and the coast of East Africa. Their commander was a trusted court official from Yunnan. His name was Zheng He.

At their peak, Zheng He’s expeditions included hundreds of vessels and tens of thousands of men. Some of the ships were far larger than anything sailing in Europe at the time. These voyages were not accidents or private ventures. They were state projects, backed by the Ming court and intended to project power, order, and prestige far beyond China’s shores.

Zheng He was born around 1371 in southwestern China, into a Muslim family. As a young boy, he was captured during a Ming military campaign and brought into imperial service, where he eventually came under the patronage of the Yongle Emperor, who trusted him deeply.

He proved himself as a military officer, diplomat, and organizer. When the emperor decided to send fleets abroad, Zheng He was placed in command.