In the 15th century, Admiral Zheng He, on the orders of the Emperor of China, embarked upon a series of extraordinary voyages of exploration. These voyages were undertaken in fleets of up to 300 colossal ships, with tens of thousands of men, at great cost to the court of the Ming dynasty. Initially they went all over South-East Asia and finished in India, but as time went on they went further afield, going to Arabia and even reaching East Africa on the seventh and final voyage. Zheng He even brought back a giraffe. China looked set to become a great maritime power, with more advanced naval technology than anywhere else in the world - but Zheng He was mysteriously called home, further voyages were cancelled and all the records of the different expeditions cancelled. Listen as William and Anita are joined by Rana Mitter to discuss Zheng He in the first instalment of the Christmas miniseries on the Ships of Empire.
For bonus episodes, ad-free listening, reading lists, book discounts, a weekly newsletter, and a chat community. Sign up at https://empirepod.supportingcast.fm/
Twitter: @Empirepoduk
Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com
Goalhangerpodcasts.com
Producer: Callum Hill
Exec Producer: Jack Davenport + Neil Fearn
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
159. The American Revolution: Building The New Rome (Ep 4)
158. The American Revolution: Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Happiness (Ep 3)
157. The American Revolution: The Shot Heard Around the World (Ep 2)
156. The American Revolution: No Taxation Without Representation (Ep 1)
155. The Founding Fathers: Benjamin Franklin (Ep 5)
154. The Founding Fathers: John Adams (Ep 4)
153. The Founding Fathers: Alexander Hamilton (Ep 3)
152. The Founding Fathers: Thomas Jefferson (Ep 2)
151. The Founding Fathers: George Washington (Ep 1)
150. Worlds Colliding: Seizing Settlers in New England
149. Pocahontas: Kidnapped in Virginia
148. America: The Empire of Liberty
147. Queen Victoria: Empress of India (Ep 4)
146. Queen Victoria: The Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets (Ep 3)
145. Victoria & Albert (Ep 2)
144. The Making of Queen Victoria (Ep 1)
143. Isabella of Castile: The Spanish Inquisition, the Conquest of Granada, and Columbus
142. Isabella of Castile: Uniting Spain
141. Nur Jahan: The Most Powerful Mughal Woman
140. Nur Jahan: The Light of the World
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Rest Is History
The Rest Is Money
Dan Snow’s History Hit
The News Agents
Newscast