Chinese Fleet’s Impact on Sri Lanka in the Early 15th Century
Source:Thuppahis
Charles Schokman’s Discovery of Amazing Facts conveyed in an Email entitled “A Bit of Ceylon History”
The Seven Voyages of Zheng He – World History Encyclopedia
In 2014, I had read that the Chinese had a map of the East and West coasts of both North and South America dated about 80 years earlier than Columbus’s voyage, owned by Zheng He.
I found out about the 7 voyages and the treasure ships. I also learned that the only people that dared to attack the Chinese flotilla
were the Lankans. They refused to engage, but on their return voyage from India they landed in Galle and sent word to the king of Kotte (Alageswara) that they came in peace.
As they marched towards Kotte (2000 strong) they were attacked by 20,000 Kotte troops (according to the Chinese). They were able to defeat them and captured the king and his family and took them prisoners to China. When they came back in two years, the vacant throne had been fought over by the surrounding kingdoms and there was someone else on the throne.
Alageswara was killed before the next morn but the new king promised to pay a yearly tribute to China. This lasted 50 years.
I found a stele erected by Zheng He in Galle which is now at the Colombo Museum. I also saw its copy in the Galle Maritime Museum. In 2014 there was wing of the museum next to the Dutch church dedicated to Zheng He, one donated by the Chinese.
Though I couldn’t find anyone who had heard about the Chinese incident, I did find a whole Chapter on it in a book called The Maritime History of Ceylon. I also found a book called Alageswara’s wars, about the battles among the petty kings to fill Alageswara’s place.
This is amazing- Chinese fleet in 1400 to 1450: Kotte King was taken to China
