Voyages of Admiral Zheng He in relation to Penang

What has the voyages of Admiral Zheng He have to do with Penang? On a rocky promontory overlooking the coast on the southeastern tip of Penang Island is a small shrine dedicated to him. The Sam Poh Footprint Temple enshrines an imprint said to be the footpring of the Admiral.

The following chronology traces the life and voyages of Zheng He.

• 1371: Zheng He born Ma He in Jinning, Yunnan Province. 1381, his father killed in a fight between the Northern Yuan loyalists and Ming army. Zheng He, aged 11, captured by Ming Muslim troops, made a eunuch. Called San Bao (Three Jewels) by the Chinese Imperial Court. Became trusted adviser of Yongle Emperor.
• 1402: Reign of Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1402-24). In the same year Parameswara established his (Hindu) kingdom in Malacca.
• 1405-07: Yongle Emperor sponsored Zheng He’s First Voyage included Champa, Java, Palembang, Malacca, Aru, Sumatra, Lambri, Ceylon, Kollam, Cochin, Calicut.
• 1409: Zheng He’s Second Voyage included Champa, Java, Siam, Cochin, Ceylon.
• 1409-11: Zheng He’s Third Voyage included Champa, Java, Malacca, Sumatra, Ceylon, Quilon (Kollam, Kerala), Cochin, Calicut, Siam, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu).
• 1413-15: Zheng He’s Fourth Voyage included Champa, Java, Palembang, Malacca, Sumatra, Ceylon, Cochin, Calicut, Pahang, Kelantan, Hormuz, Maldives, Mogadishu, Barawa, Malindi, Aden, Muscat, Dhufar (Oman).
• 1416-19: Zheng He’s Fifth Voyage included Champa, Pahang, Java, Malacca, Sumatra, Ceylon, Cochin, Calicut, Hormuz, Maldives, Mogadishu, Barawa (Somalia), Malindi (Kenya), Aden.
• 1421-22: Zheng He’s Sixth Voyage: Hormuz, East Africa, countries of the Arabian Peninsula –The record of this voyage was destroyed by imperial order.
• 1424: The Yongle Emperor died. The son and successor, the Hongxi Emperor (1424-25), suspended sponsorship of voyage during his short reign.
• 1425: The Hongxi Emperor died. His son and successor, the Xuande Emperor (1425-35) ordered the last voyage of Zheng He.
• 1430-33: Seventh Voyage: Champa, Palembang, Java, Malacca, Sumatra, Ceylon, Calicut, Hormuz – Zheng He died at sea, record of this voyage was destroyed by imperial order.

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