Question

in the 15th century, zheng he led the largest fleet the world had ever seen, yet historians have only recently begun to learn the details of his voyages. why was one of historys most prolific early explorers forgotten for so long? zheng was born to a muslim family in the mongol empire. however, after being captured at the age of ten by invading chinese soldiers, he was forced to work as a servant for zhu di, the emperors son. zhu was so impressed by zhengs faithful service that, when zhu became emperor, he commissioned his servant to build and lead the greatest fleet of ships the world had ever seen. the emperors hope was to receive tribute and recognition from cultures across the seas. zhengs fleet included 3,500 ships, some of which were 400 feet long, a size so unprecedented that many historians believed accounts of these ships were exaggerated—until scientists discovered the remains of one in 1962. from 1405 to 1433, zheng would lead seven voyages and travel over 31,000 miles, expanding chinese presence throughout south asia and east africa. however, due to the expense of military campaigns and pressure from political and religious advisors, the emperor burned the fleet after zhengs final voyage and ordered the destruction of all official records of zhengs expeditions.

Explanation:

The emperor burned the fleet and ordered destruction of official records after Zheng He's final voyage due to military - campaign expenses and political/religious advisors' pressure. This led to a lack of information, causing him to be forgotten for a long time.

Answer:

Zheng He was forgotten for so long mainly because the emperor burned the fleet and destroyed official records of his expeditions after his final voyage, likely due to military campaign costs and pressure from political and religious advisors.