Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s4.t30.2

v2.c14.s4.t30.2

Jalal-ud-Din was embroiled in a dispute with the sultan of the neighbouring state of Jaunpur, Ibrahim Sharqi. He was probably aware of the power of the Ming empire and the pro-active foreign policy of the Yongle emperor who ruled China at the time. He, therefore, in 1420 complained to the Chinese emperor about raids on his territory conducted by Ibrahim Sharqi, and appealed to the emperor to intervene in the dispute. In response, the Ming emperor sent the envoy Hou Xian, accompanied by a retinue of Chinese soldiers and carrying gifts for the sultan and other members of his court. The mission carried a significant message from the Chinese emperor expressing the hope that the warring rulers 'would both cultivate good relations with their neighbours and would each protect their own territory'. The Chinese mission was received with great fanfare by Jalal-ud-Din, who presented them with, among other things, a huge commemorative silver coin minted specially for the occasion. After visiting Jalal-ud-Din's kingdom, Hou Xian's mission proceeded to visit the rival state of Jaunpur. It appears that this mission may have helped to prevent more large-scale hostilities between Jaunpur and Bengal.