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Zhang, Tingyu: Ming Shi
(Records of the Ming Dynasty)
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The History of Ming (Ming Shi) is one of the official Chinese historical works known as the Twenty-Four Histories. It covers the history of the Ming Dynasty from 1368 to 1644. It was written by a number of officials commissioned by the court of Qing Dynasty, with Zhang Tingyu as the lead editor. The compilation was completed in 1739. One of the main sources for the History of Ming was Ming Shilu (the Ming Veritable Records), i.e. the records of individual emperors' reigns, each of which was compiled soon after the respective emperor's death, based on the daily records accumulated during the reign. It is an important source of information on east Africa.

 

Taken from: Ingrams,Zanzibar its history and its people (1967)
                     Teobaldo Filesi, China and Africa in the Middle ages
                     Paul Pelliot, Toung Pao 1933-4
                     Duyvendak; Toung Pao 1938 and 1953
                     Youssouf Kamal IVfasc4
                     www.zs2002.com/book/ms/
Ming Shi got published quite outside our historical period (1736), but the records of Zheng He's (32) voyages have been destroyed. Making these sections of the Ming Shi, based on those records nearly the only remaining information. Some 22O of the 332 chapters are devoted to important biographies of the period. 
Note : Yuan means Chapter

Ming-Yongle: IVORY CARVING of a Xianbao barbarian (in 2011 auctioned at Nanjing Intercontinental Hotel).

This is the portrayal of one of Zheng He's exotic foreign ambassadors at an audience. A barbarian wearing a strange hat, wide-sleeved robe, and boots, holding treasures as tribute.

 

This barbarian has a high nose, deep eyes, curly hair.

(Yuan 7)
In the 12th year of Young -lo (1)(1414) ....In that year....Bangela (2) offers tribune of Kilin

In the 13th year of Young –lo (1415) ...In that year...Malin (31)
(麻林) comes and Zu-fan諸番  bring a Qilin. (www.zs2002.com/book/ms/)

 

In the 14th year of Young-lo (1416).....In that year....Champa (3), Calicut, Java, Malacca (4), Sumatra (Atcheh), Nan-wou-li (5)(Lambri), Borneo, (Po-ni, Brunei), Pahang (6), Ceylon, (Si-lan-chan), the Maldives, (Lieou-chan), Nan-po-li (Lambri), Aden, Ma-lin (Malindi), Ormuz (16), Cochin (7) bring tribute, Tchong-chan (8) of Lieou-k'ieou brings twice tribute. (Pelliot in Toung Pao 1933)

In the 19th year of Young-lo (1)(1421) , it is said that that year ....Ormuz (16), Aden, Tsou-fa-eul (9) (Djofar), La-sa (10), Brawa (11), Mogedoxu (Mogadishu), Calicut, Cochin (7), Cail (12), Ceylan, the Maldives, Lambri, Sumatra, Aru (13), Malacca (4), Kan-pa-li, (14)(Coyampadi?), Sulu (15), Bengale (2), Borneo, and the king of Kou-ma-la-lang offered tribute.
(Duyvendak 1938)

In the 21st year of Young-lo......In that year, the Sri Lankan mountain king arrives at court, and also sends an envoy to pay tribute. Champa (3), ??, Hulumosi (16), Adan, Zufaer (9), Lasa (10), Bulawa (11), Mugudoushu (17), Kezhi (18), Yiajile (19), Liushan, Nanboli (20), Sumendala (21), Alu (13), Manlajia (4), Shilasi (Shiraz?), Bangela (2), Liuquizhongshan, arrive and offer tribute.
(www.zs2002.com/book/ms/)

 

(Yuan 9)

(8th year of Youngle)

In August the last of the Administration move to the new capital.

Leap year month Xinhai (22), western region bring tribute qi-lin (giraffe)….., The ritual official asks the table to celebrate, but is refused…. This year, Siam, Champa (3), Okinawa (in Japan), Annan (23), Man-la-jia (24), Tian-fang (Mecca), Sumendala (21)(Sumatra), Gu-li (25), Cochin (7), Aden, Ceylon Hill, Zuo-fa-er (9)(Zofar), Gambari (26), Jia-yi-le (27), Hormuz , Ha-mi (28), Wa-la (29), Sa-ma-er-han (30), came to pay tribute.

 

(Yuan 10,2a) In that year (1438) Benguela (Bengal) offers a kilin (giraffe), the officials celebrate. (second giraffe from Bengal) (Pelliot in Toung Pao 1933)       

                                                                                                                                                    
(Yuan 151)
.....the manner to flatter eloquent leans to danger. Perpetual enjoyable seasons; The county officials put up a show of concern, Banggelaguo (Bengal), and Malin (31) country offers the unicorn (giraffe), Excited they (the officials) ask to congratulate the Emperor. The emperor said: Everything is in peace and harmony, to fight what evil do we need a unicorn?
(www.zs2002.com/book/ms/)

 


African ivory from the late ming period found in Japan.

(Yuan 304)
Biography 192 : Eunuch Zheng He (32)
During the reign of three Emperors he is assigned seven missions reaching the cities of; Zhaowa (Java), Zhenla (Cambodia), Jiugang (33), Xianluo (Siam), Guli, Manlajia (Malacca)(4), Boni(Brunei), Sumendala (21)(in Aceh province), Alu (Aru (13) in Aceh province), Kezhi (18), Da-Gelan(Greater Quilon), Xiaogelan (Little-Quilon), Xiyang-Suoli (Of the Western Ocean-Chola), Suoli (Chola), Jiayile (19), Abobadan(in India), Nawuli(Lambri in Aceh province), Ganbali (Cambay?), Xilanshan (Ceylon), Nanboli (20)(Lambri second time mentioned), Pengheng (In Malaysia), Jilandan (34) (Kelantan), Hulumosi (16), Bila (35), Liushan(on the Maldives?), Sunla (35), Mugudoushu (17), Malin (31), Lasa (10), Zufaer (9), Shaliwanni (36), Zhubu (37), Banggela (Bengal), Tianfang(Mecca), Lifa (38), Naguer(in Aceh province). More then 30 countries. He takes an immeasurable treasure, unable to calculate, but China's cost is also countless.
(www.zs2002.com/book/ms/)

At the 7th moon of the 13th year (5aug-2sept 1415) the emperor desires to communicate with the kingdom of Bengal and others. He orders again Hien (39) to go there with a fleet. This kingdom is in the eastern part of India, very far from China. Its king Sai-fo-ting (40) sends an ambassador who offers a giraffe and products of the country. The emperor is very pleased and gives out more gifts then normal.
(Pelliot in Toung Pao 1933)


(Yuan 324)
In the year 1381 they (Java) sent envoys, who brought as tribute 300 black slaves (Gonghei nu) and products of the country. The next year they brought again black slaves, men and women, to the number of a hundred, eight large pearls and 75,000 catties (41) of pepper.
(taken from: Rost, Reinhold ;  Miscellaneous Paper Relating to Indo-China and the Indian Archipelago Vol I .. ..)

 

(Yuan 325,5a)
More then 20 Fan countries (42), Sumendala (21)(Sumatra) and others. The next year they send an envoy paying tribute again. In the eight year they brought a tribute ki-lin.
Note; here is written that in 1433 Sumatra sends tribute of a giraffe (k'i-lin). this is not true, the Ming -Shi copied this out of the Che-lou of Siuan-to (50) where Sumatra is the first country in a list also including Mecca and Aden who delivered tribute of giraffes, elephants....)(
Pelliot in Toung Pao 1934)
 

(Yuan 326)

1 Gu ri (Calicut)

(in the general description of the voyage)

.......In the 14th year of Young-lo (1) going to Java, to make them reach the city at the Sri Lankan mountain, Mugudoushu (17), Liushan, the southern seas, Bulawa (11), Adan, Sumenda (21), Mamu, Lasa (10), Hulumosi (16), Kezhi (18), Nanwuli (20), Shaliwanni (36), and have them pay tribute suddenly.

In the 17th year 17 countries come pay the tribute. In the 19th year countries of Hulumosi and others paid tribute. In the 21th year countries Hulumosi (16) and others, send an envoy and 1200 people come and pay tribute. (www.zs2002.com/book/ms/)

.......

In red: the two mentions of a giraffe

5 榜葛剌 Ben ge la (Bengal)

Bengal is the same as Shen-tu of the Han period. It is the same as T’ien-chu of the later Hans. In later periods Central India sent tributes to the Leang emperors and Southern India to the Wei. In the T’ang period the country was divided into five T’ien-chu, also called five Yin-tu. Bengal is Eastern India. From Sumatra with a favourable wind one can reach there in 20 days.

In the 6th year Yong-lo (1408) the king of Bengal (Ghiyas- ud-din)(43) sent an ambassador to China with tributes. China also gave many presents in return. In the 7th year Yong-lo (1409) their ambassador came again with 230 officers. The Emperor had just initiated a policy of communicating with foreign countries. So he sent many presents to Bengal. Since then they came every year. In the 10th year Yong-lo (1412) just before the arrival of their ambassador to China the Emperor sent ministers to Chen-kiang (44) to arrange for their reception. When arrangements had been made the ambassador arrived with the news of the death of their king. Officials were then sent to attend the mourning ceremony of the dead king and the coronation ceremony of the Prince Sai-wu-ting (45). In the 12th year yong-lo (1414) the new king sent ambassador with mandate to offer thanks and presents of a ki-lin, famous horses and products of Bengal. The officials proposed to congratulate the Emperor (on this occasion) but the latter rejected it. Next year (1415) Hou-hien (46) was sent to that country with presents to the king, the queen, and the ministers. In the 3rd year Che-fong (47)(1438) they sent a ki-lin as present. All officials congratulated the Emperor on this occasion. The next year (1439) tributes again came from that country. Since then relations with that country ceased. (VISVA-BHARATI ANNALS VOL. I by CHEENA BHAVANA)


8 木骨都束 Mou-Kou-Tou-Chou. (Mogadishu) Leaving by boat from small Ko-lan (Quilon) one can reach this place in 20 days and nights. (Youssouf Kamal)
In the 14th year of Yung-lo's reign Mogadishu (Mou-kou-tou-chou) sent an embassy and, with the countries of Brava (11)(Pou-la-wa) and Malindi, presented a letter of felicitations, rendering homage to the court and bringing tribune. Cheng Ho (32) received the order to go there carrying an imperial decree, and silk. He left in company with ambassadors to recompense (the king of that country) Later (the ambassadors) returned carrying tribute, and once more (the Emperor) ordered (Cheng) Ho to accompany them to present flowered silk to the king and to his concubines. In the 21st year (1423) ambassadors again appeared with tribute and, when they left, they again took away gifts for the king and his concubines. In the fifth year of Hsuan-te's reign (48)(1430) an edict for these countries was again published.
(Filesi)
This land is stretched along the sea; uninterrupted mountains, the land is deserted, full of stones and dry and there is little to harvest. The whole year through the drought rules, it sometimes does not rain for years. The people are obstinate and quarrelsome in their habits. The military exercise is the use of bow and arrow. There are no trees. Just like in Ormuz (16) they built houses with collected stones; they use dry fish to feed the cattle, the sheep, the horses and the camels.
(Youssouf Kamal) 
 
9 不剌哇 Pou-la-wa (Brava)(11), is a country bordering Mou-kou-tou-chou. Going south from Pie-lo-li (49)(Belligan) in Si-lan-chan (Ceylon) you will reach it in 21 days and nights. (Youssouf Kamal) Between the 14th year of Yung-lo's reign (1416) and the 21st this country in all sent tribute four times, and at the same times as the expeditions to Mogadishu Cheng-Ho was also sent twice as ambassador to that country. (Filesi)
In the fifth year of Siuan-to (50)(1430) (Tcheng) Houo (51) leaves again as ambassador to this country. The people live besides the sea; the land is a big salt plane, with few plants or trees. Here also the houses are built with collected stones. There are salt lakes, one just has to throw branches in them and when taking them back the salt crystals have formed immediately on them. The habits are simple. It is impossible to grow anything there except garlic and onions, and people survive on fish. As products they have the animal ma-ha-shou (oryx) which resembles the chang (antelope), and the houa-fou-lou (zebra) which resembles a donkey, also the rhinoceros the elephant and the camel. Also are found there: mo-yao (myrrh), ju-siang (incense), lung-sien-siang (dragon-saliva or ambergris) etc, articles that are always among the tribute
(Youssouf Kamal) 
  
10 竹步 Chupu (37)(el Jubb) lies not far from Mukutusu. During the reign of Yung lo (1403-1425) an envoy came to China from Chupu. This country is thickly inhabited and the habits of the habits of the people are simple. Cheng Ho (32) visited this country. This country also has no grass or trees and the houses are built with cut stones. Most of the year there is total dryness, in everything it resembles Mou-kou-tou-chou. The country produces lions, gold, spotted leopards, birds with camel feed (ostrich), lung-sien-siang, ju-siang, hu-tsiao (pepper). (Ingrams)    
Note: Other authors give other names for Chupa or el Jubb. Zhubu  (37)and Glumbo but all four names are really for the ruined settlement close to the mouth of the Jubb.
(37)
 
11 阿丹 Aden....In the 19th year of Young-lo (1)(1421) the eunuch Tcheou went there for trade. He got cat-eyes of about 2 maces heavy or more, several coral trees, several kinds of ya-kou (rubi) and other precious objects; K'I-lin (giraffes), lions, zebras, gold spotted leopards, ostriches, white pigeons, all of this he brought with him....
The front feet of the giraffe are nine feet high; the back ones six; the neck is 16 feet long, the animal has two short horns, a tail of a cow and the body of an antelope. It eats millet, and cakes. The lion resembles the tiger, but its yellow is darker and his head is bigger, his mouth is bigger and his tail ends in a point. His roaring is like the thunder and all the animals when seeing him respect him.
(Youssouf Kamal) 

 

12 剌撒 Lasa (10) can be  reached in 20 days and nights from Kou-li (Calicut) with favourable wind. In the 14th year of Young-Lo (1) the country sent an ambassador with tribute. The emperor orders Tcheng-Houo (51) to return the gesture.  This country in all presented its tribute three times, and each time along with the countries of A-tan (Aden) and Pu-la-wa (Brava). In the fifth year of Siuan-to (50)(Tcheng) Houo (51) was sent again on mission; he visits the country but the sending of tribute is not restarted.
This country is only inhabited along the coast. The climate is always hot. The fields are sterile; so that one harvests little. The habits are simple, but they have rites for funerals, when there are important businesses one offers prayers to the souls of the deceased. There are no grasses or trees and there are long dry periods, without any rains, its buildings are similar to those of Chu-pu (Giumbo) etc; Among the products are incense, ambergris, camels who run a thousand li etc.
(Youssouf Kamal)  
 
13 麻林 Ma-lin (31) is very far from China. In the 13th year of Young-lo (1415) this country sent an ambassador to present a giraffe (K'I-lin) as tribute. When it was about to arrive, the president of the ministry of rites Lu Tch'en asks the permission to present a memorial of felicitations. The emperor says: Formerly when the scribes and the ministers presented me the complete edition of the five classic canons and the four books, and when they asked me to present this kind of memorial we permitted it, because that book is helpful to good government. But what advantage or disadvantage is there in the presence or absence of a K'I-lin? Lets not speak about it anymore. Ma-lin together with the ambassadors of the other Barbarian countries however reaches to present the giraffe, together with a celestial horse, and a divine antelope. The emperor goes to the Feng-t'ien (52) gate to receive them and all the officials bring their respect and congratulate. The emperor says: This has been possible because of the great virtue of my father and also because of the help of my ministers: this is way the people of the far away countries come one after the other. From now on we have still to keep more to our virtues and renounce our imperfections. In the 14th year this country presented again local products as tribute. (Youssouf Kamal) 

 

 

 

 

The traditional Hua fu-lu in China before the arrival of the zebra

14 鲁谟斯 Hu-lu-mu-sz (Hormuz) is a great kingdom,...............As regards fruits, there are walnuts, ba-dan pine seeds, pomegranates, grapes, and dates.
There is a great hill which is differently coloured on each of its four sides. One side consists of red rock-salt, of which the people make vessels;
and when they put flesh in these, it is not necessary to add salt for its preservation. Another side is of white clay, used for whitewashing walls.
The third and fourth sides of the hill are of reddish carnation and yellow clay, which is also brought into use.
The country produces lions, ki-lin (unicorn-giraffe), t'o-ki (ostrich), fu-lu (zebra), ling yang (broad tailed sheep) . Great pearls and various precious
stones are also found there.  
(taken from ; Medieval Researches from Eastern Asiatic Sources Vol II: by Bretschneider, E) 

 

15 Maldives

(after the description of the country; last line of the text)

There were other countries by the names of Bila and Sunla (35), respectively; Zheng He (32) also brought the royal edicts to them. They are so far from China that this might be the reason why no tribute got sent from there. (from: Seven epic voyages of Zheng He (32) in Ming China, 1405-1433 Ming-Yang Su)

Note: Although long time unknown it is now accepted that Bila and Sunla might have been second hand information from the Arab Bilad Sufala

.

Somewhere else in the book mention is made of Kilwa. This next paragraph is given on the authority of www.hist.umn.edu
.
(Yuan 332)
Of Kilwa: (54)(Chhi-erh-ma or Qi-er-ma)In the Yongle period (Yongle is the emperor who send Cheng Ho (32) on expeditions), they send an ambassadorwith tribute, consisting of animal skins, feathers and felt. They are very good in archery and hunting and do not practice sedentary agriculture.
To the south and west, it is bordered by the sea. To the north and east, it is bordered by dense forests, where there are many fierce animals and
poisonous snakes. There are by-ways and alleys, but no regular laid markets. When they do commerce they use iron coins.

(this entry on Kilwa is immediately followed by Somalia

Baisong hu er, the old name of Su-mali-er (Somalia). White tiger among the pine trees, he does not hurt, nor does he disturb the silence, it is said that after ten days he is not longer visible. People give it different names, God tiger, white tiger, saying they fell short of perfection, because changing the country's name. Their land is without mountains and has no wild trees, no poisonous insects, they have little property. They try to pay tribute.

 

(Yuan 332)

Tien-Fang (Heavenly Gate - Mecca)

In the fifth year of Xuande (1430), when Cheng Ho (32) had been sent to the countries of the Western Ocean, he despatched one of his companions

to Ku-li (Calicut). Having heard that a trading vessel was about to depart from this place to T'ien fang, he ordered him to join this party, and take

with him various Chinese goods as presents (for the ruler). This trading vessel took a whole year to go to T’ien fang and to return. The Chinese

envoy had bought there fine pearls, precious stones, a k'i-Iin,' a lion, a t’o ki,(53)(camel fowl) and when he returned the king of T’ien-fang sent one of his officers to accompany him, in order to present tribute to the Chinese emperor. The emperor received him kindly and rewarded him richly. After six years (in 1436 ) he went back with presents for his sovereign on board a ship from Chao-va (Java), which had brought tribute. (Mediaeval Researches from Eastern Asiatic Sources: Fragments Towards…. E. Bretschneider)

 

(Yuan 340)

Lie-chuan 196 The Biography of Hou-hien (46)

In the 7th month of the 13th year Yong-lo (1415) the Emperor wishing to communicate with Bengal and other countries, asked Hou-hien to go

(to those countries) with a navy. That country (i.e. Bengal) is East India. It is very far from China. Their king Sai-fo-ting (40) sent ambassador with a tribute of Ki-lin and manv native products. The Emperor was much pleased. He presented more in return. …..(VISVA-BHARATI ANNALS VOL. I by CHEENA BHAVANA)

(1) Young -lo: The Yongle Emperor — personal name Zhu Di, or Chu Ti— was the third Emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1402 to 1424.

(2) Bangela: Bengal present-day Bangladesh.

(3) Champa: in present-day Cambodia.

(4) Malacca: (Manlajia) is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Strait of Malacca.

(5) Nan-wou-li (Lambri); Nan-wu-li: Possibly the same (or part of the same) polity of Lambri/Lamuri situated in or nearby Aceh, Sumatra.

(6) Pahang: the state of Pahang on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia.

(7) Cochin: coasts of Tonkin (northern Vietnam) and South China.

(8) Tchong-chan of Lieou-k'ieou: island of Taiwan.

(9) Tsou-fa-eul; Zufaer, Zuo-fa-er, (Djofar); Dhofar: province in Oman.

(10) La-sa; Lasa: Duyvendak (1953) identifies it with Muscat. Mills (1970; 347-48) suggests some place on the southern coast of the Arabian peninsula, probably near Mukalla. Others put it on the East African coast.

(11) Brawa; Bulawa, Barawa: Brawa or Brava on the south Somali coast; The Bedouna of Idrisi (1150).

(12) Cail: ancient Indian port, is located in the town of Cail on the east coast of southern India.

(13) Aru (Alu): a group of islands and the regency in the Moluccas.

(14) Kan-pa-li, (Coyampadi?); Chengjun Feng identifies it as Cape Comorin.

(15) Sulu: the Sulu Archipelago (Philippines).

(16) Hulumosi: Hormuz.

(17) Mugudoushu: Mogadishu.

(18) Kezhi; K'o-chih or Kezhi (Cochin) : coasts of Tonkin (northern Vietnam) and South China.

(19) Yiajile (Jiayile; Jia-yi-le): Kayal is referred to in Marco Polo's travel diaries dating to 1250 AD. It was an ancient port dating to the 1st century AD in Tamil Nadu, India.

(20) Nanboli; Nan-wou-li (Lambri); Nan-wu-li: Possibly the same (or part of the same) polity of Lambri/Lamuri situated in or nearby Aceh, Sumatra.

(21) Sumendala: on Sumatra.

(22) Xinhai: 48 year of the 60 cycle: the Chinese did not count in periods of 100 years but in periods of 60 years. Then it starts over. Every year has its own name; so every 60 year that name is repeated. They do not start in (0 AD) but the 45th cycle starts in (4 AD).

(23) Annan; state of Annam: modern day Vietnam.

(24) Man-la-jia: 滿剌加; Malacca Sultanate.

(25) Gu-li: Ku-li or Guli  (Calicut).

(26) Gambari: Kanbaya: Cambay in the Indian state of Gujarat.

(27) Jia-yi-le: Kayal is referred to in Marco Polo's travel diaries dating to 1250 AD. It was an ancient port dating to the 1st century AD in Tamil Nadu, India.

(28) Ha-mi: in central Asia and the Chinese gateway to Western Regions.

(29) Wa-la: Wei Late: Gobi Desert.

(30) Sa-ma-er-han : Samarkand; Samarqand, is a city in south-eastern Uzbekistan.

(31) Malin: Malindi in Kenya.

(32) Zheng He: 郑和 (1371 – 1433 or 1435) was a Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat, fleet admiral, and court eunuch during China's early Ming dynasty. He was originally born as Ma He in a Muslim family and later adopted the surname Zheng conferred by the Yongle Emperor. He commanded expeditionary treasure voyages to Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Western Asia, and East Africa from 1405 to 1433.

(33) Jiugang: literally old port (in Red River Delta- Vietnam).

(34) Jilandan (Kelantan) : located in the modern state of the same name on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia.

(35) Bila; together with Sunla: Bilad Sufala in Mozambique.

(36) Shaliwanni: maybe present-day Cannanore in India.

(37) Zhubu: Giumbo: Djoubb (El Jub): a dug, non-masoned waterhole (according to Marcel Devic p70); the name still exists in the name of the river Jubba. Must have been close to present day Kismayo. Is mostly mentioned by Chinese authors: Yakut (1220); Al-Dimashqi (1325); Fei-Hsin (1436) has Giumbo; Xuanzong Shih-lu (1438) has Zhu-bu; Zhang, Tingyu: Ming Shi (1739); Luo Maodeng (1597). Some authors say the channel mentioned by al Masudi (916) is the Jubba: “…Zinj were the only ones who had crossed a tributary of the Nile (the Jubb) which flowed into a bay or canal, which in turn opened into the Indian Ocean…”.

(38) Lifa: error for Lidai (黎代) on Sumatra.

(39) Hien: perhaps Hou-hien. (see nr 46)

(40) Sai-fo-ting: rulers of Bengal at that time: 1. Ghiyas ud-din Azam Shah (1370-1396); 2. Saif-ud-din Hamza Shah (1396-1406); 3. Shams-ud-din (1406-1409).

(41) catties; Chin =jin . Also called catty is 604gr.

(42) Fan countries: tribute paying countries

(43) (Ghiyas- ud-din) : rulers of Bengal at that time: 1. Ghiyas ud-din Azam Shah (1370-1396); 2. Saif-ud-din Hamza Shah (1396-1406); 3. Shams-ud-din (1406-1409).

(44) Chen-kiang: a province.

(45) Prince Sai-wu-ting; Sultan Shams-ud-din (r.1406-1409).

(46) Hou-hien: Eunuch who travelled with Zheng he but also on inland missions. (Bengal, Tibet, Nepal).

(47) In the 3rd year Che-fong (1438) (1438): should be Emperor Yingzong of Ming.

(48) Hsuan-te's reign: (1426–36). Also known as Xuande Emperor.

(49) Pie-lo-li (Belligan; south coast of Sri Lanka)

(50) Siuan-to (1430) = Hsuan-te (1430)

(51) Tcheng Houo = Zheng He (see nr 32)

(52) Feng-t'ien gate: Feng-tian Gate: the gate to Feng-tiang must have been in the east of Beijing as the city lays far to the east now called Shenyang.

(53) t’o ki,(camel fowl): Ostrich.

(54) Kilwa is also mentioned in the list but its entry dates from after the middle ages. However it is stated that it also send tribute once during the Youngle area. Its products being animal skins, feathers and felt. These however are not the products of Kilwa.