The Islamic Golden Age
The navigational innovations during the Islamic Golden Age were not only the effect of the many scientific innovations of that time, but the increased connectivity among different societies allowed technology to advance even further. Whether it was improved maps or the widespread use of the compass, this time fostered many crucial inventions in navigational history. Additionally, many important historical navigators came from this time. One of these men was Piri Reis, the author of the Kitab-i-Bahriye, which was the first comprehensive collections of maps of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, and one of the first accurate world maps. Finally, The spread of the Islamic empire caused many great non-Arab navigators to expand the Golden Age’s
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The most important of these people is Zheng He, who was a Chinese Admiral. Zheng He was a devout Muslim born in Mongolia and grew up speaking both Arabic and Chinese. He was taken at a young age by the Chinese Ming Dynasty during an invasion,was made a Eunuch, and served in the Imperial palace. Throughout his life, he traveled over 31,000 miles, and helped to link Chinese and Arab Civilization. Through loyal service, he rose through the ranks of the Chinese navy, eventually reaching the position of Admiral. During his time as Admiral he led seven “Treasure Ship” Voyages between 1405 and 1433 CE, where the goal of the expedition was to obtain valuable goods, hence the name. The Ships in the Treasure fleet were massive, with Zheng He writing that “sixty two of the largest ships were 440 feet long”. Each of these massive ships was manned by a crew of approximately 500 men, ranging from sailors, doctors and soldiers to artisans and meteorologists. His fourth voyage had a total of 30,000 men. Additionally, a map made by Zheng He was discovered recently which dates back to 1418 CE. This map shows a rendition of the entire world, including the Americas. This map has caused a lot of controversy because of this, and has led many historians to believe that the New world was in fact discovered and mapped by the Chinese before it was discovered by Christopher Columbus. While there is not currently sufficient proof to say whether or not this theory is true, it has raised many questions about common beliefs about the new worlds discovery. Zheng He, while he was not Arab, was a muslim who throughout his many voyages allowed many trade routes to form leading to both scientific discovery, and to increased economic prosperity for both China and The Islamic
The most important of these people is Zheng He, who was a Chinese Admiral. Zheng He was a devout Muslim born in Mongolia and grew up speaking both Arabic and Chinese. He was taken at a young age by the Chinese Ming Dynasty during an invasion,was made a Eunuch, and served in the Imperial palace. Throughout his life, he traveled over 31,000 miles, and helped to link Chinese and Arab Civilization. Through loyal service, he rose through the ranks of the Chinese navy, eventually reaching the position of Admiral. During his time as Admiral he led seven “Treasure Ship” Voyages between 1405 and 1433 CE, where the goal of the expedition was to obtain valuable goods, hence the name. The Ships in the Treasure fleet were massive, with Zheng He writing that “sixty two of the largest ships were 440 feet long”. Each of these massive ships was manned by a crew of approximately 500 men, ranging from sailors, doctors and soldiers to artisans and meteorologists. His fourth voyage had a total of 30,000 men. Additionally, a map made by Zheng He was discovered recently which dates back to 1418 CE. This map shows a rendition of the entire world, including the Americas. This map has caused a lot of controversy because of this, and has led many historians to believe that the New world was in fact discovered and mapped by the Chinese before it was discovered by Christopher Columbus. While there is not currently sufficient proof to say whether or not this theory is true, it has raised many questions about common beliefs about the new worlds discovery. Zheng He, while he was not Arab, was a muslim who throughout his many voyages allowed many trade routes to form leading to both scientific discovery, and to increased economic prosperity for both China and The Islamic