Zheng He was taken captive as a boy by Ming armies and served in the household of a prince who later became emperor. He rose to become one of China's greatest admirals. Between 1405 and 1433 he led seven huge voyages across the Indian Ocean, reaching Southeast Asia, India, Arabia and the east coast of Africa, in some of the largest wooden ships ever built, decades before Columbus set sail.
Zheng He
Ming Dynasty Admiral
EXTRA-ORDINARY TRAIT
COURAGE
JFDI PILLAR
D — DRIVE
COUNTRY & REGION
China (Asia)
LIFESPAN
1371 – c.1433
GENDER
Man
EDITION
No.034
✦ DEFINING MOMENT
At the prow of his treasure ship, robes in the wind, pointing to the horizon.
✦ ARCHIVAL DOSSIER
The Story
✦ DID YOU KNOW?
His first fleet in 1405 had over 300 ships and around 27,000 crew.
✦ YOUR TURN
Where would you sail if the size of the ocean didn't put you off?