Zheng He is China's most famous maritime explorer. Also known as Cheng Ho, he was born Ma He to a Muslim family in China's far southwest (today's Yunnan province) in 1371. The son of a rural official in the Mongol province of Yunnan, he was taught the teachings of Islam at an early age - both his father and grandfather had made the pilgrimage to Mecca and so the family were quite familiar with distant lands.

At age ten, Zheng He was taken captive as an invading Chinese army overthrew the Mongols in 1382. The first Ming emperor was intent on cleansing the remnants of the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) in Yunnan. He was taken to Nanjing, where he was ritually castrated and trained as an imperial eunuch. He was then sent to Beiping (present-day Beijing) to serve in the palace of Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, fourth son of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Growing up to be a burly, imposing man - over six feet tall with a chest contemporaries said measured over five feet around - he was also extremely talented and intelligent. He received both literary and military training, and made his way up the military ladder with ease, garnering important allies at court in the process.

His brilliance and loyalty won Prince Zhu Di's trust. As a result, the prince chose Zheng He to serve as his personal bodyguard during his quest to become emperor. It was during this period that Zheng He's genius and leadership became apparent. For four years, Zheng He fought on the side of Zhu Di, accompanying him on countless campaigns and battles throughout China. Amassing one victory after another, Zheng He was instrumental in Zhu Di's seizure of imperial power.

After Zhu Di ascended the throne as the Yongle Emperor (1403-1424), he promoted many of the military and civil officers/officials who had supported him, and Zheng He was among them. In 1404, Zhu Di changed Zheng He's surname from Ma to Zheng as an imperial honor, and elevated him to the position of Grand Eunuch. Zheng He was also subsequently known as San Bao - the Three Treasures.

The Yongle Emperor needed a trustworthy ambassador familiar with Islam and the ways of the south to head an adventurous endeavor - exploration of the "Western Oceans." He naturally picked Zheng He, who was assigned to the area of maritime affairs. He conducted an exhaustive study of existing nautical charts, celestial navigation, eastern and western almanacs, astronomy and geography, marine sciences, piloting, shipbuilding and repair.

Between the third year of the Yongle reign period (1405) and the eighth year of the Xuande reign period (1433), Zheng He led seven great western maritime expeditions, traversing the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean into the Persian Gulf and Red Sea, and reaching as far west as the east coast of Africa. This splendid armada consisted of immense Junks that became known as the Treasure Ships. The fleet under sail must have been a sight to inspire awe. One Chinese historian is recorded as saying: "The ships which sail the Southern Sea are like houses. When their sails are spread, they are like great clouds in the sky."

These seven voyages, unprecedented in size, organization, navigational technology and range, demonstrated not only the power and wealth of the Ming Dynasty, but also Zheng He's extraordinary abilities and the technological marvels of the Chinese Junk.

Note: Zhu Di, the Yongle (Eternal Happiness) Emperor, also built Beijing's Forbidden City.