Exchange with India

During the 28 years between 1405 and 1433 AD, Zheng He led seven western voyages and visited over thirty countries and regions. Eight of these, including Calicut, Quilon, and Cochin, were located in India. Zheng He's visits to these countries strengthened both political and cultural ties. In addition to his official contacts with the religious kingdoms of India, Zheng He's fleets made China's special products available to the people. Among these goods were satin and damask textiles, thin colored silk, blue and white patterned porcelain, musk, mercury, and woven mats, as well as some gold, silver, and copper coins. Among the Indian products that Zheng He brought back to China were textiles, spices, precious stones, pepper, coral, colored terrycloth bedclothes, coconut, betelnut, and rhinoceros horn. This mutual trade greatly enriched the lives of both the Chinese and Indian people. Even today, intact blue and white porcelain pieces dating from the Ming Dynasty can still be found in Cochin, and the distinctive nets used by the local fishing people are known as "Chinese nets." These items were closely linked with Zheng He's western voyages.