Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.33

v2.c14.33

A great event in the history of India-China relations was the visit to India by Zheng He, a Chinese mariner and messenger of the Mind emperor. Emperor Chengzu of the Ming (reigned 1403-1424) appointed Zheng He (see *Zheng He*) as the envoy and Wang Jinghong (see *Wang Jinghong*) as deputy envoy to go to India by sea. The Emperor also sent Hou Xian (see *Hou Xian*) to visit northwestern India by land. According to *Zheng He zhuan* of *Ming Shi* (*History of Ming Dynasty*), Zheng He had been to the Indian Ocean seven times. The first time was from the sixth month of third year to the ninth month of the fifth year of Yong Le Era (1405-1407). The second time was from the ninth month of sixth year to the sixth month of ninth year of Yong Le Era (1408-1411). The third time was from the 11^th month of the 10^th year to the seventh month of 13^th year of Yong Le Era (1412-1415). The fourth time was from the winter of the 14^th year to the seventh month of the 17^th year of Yong Le Era (1416-1419). The fifth time was from the spring of the 19^th year to the eighth month of the 20^th year of Yong Le Era (1421-1422). The sixth time was from the first month of the 22^nd year of Yong Le Era to the second month of the 1^st year of Hong Xi Era (1424-1425), and the seventh time was from the fifth to eighth year of Xuan De Era (1430-1433), lasting a total of 29 years.