Zheng He Expedition Captured Alakeshvara

During the third Ming treasure voyage in 1410 or 1411, Chinese admiral Zheng He reached Sri Lanka with a fleet carrying more than 27,000 people to secure maritime trade routes. A Kotte ruler named Alakeshvara lured Zheng and 2,000 troops inland, cut them off from their fleet at Colombo, and planned a surprise attack. Zheng countered by capturing Kotte's capital, Alakeshvara, his family, and his leading officials before fighting his way back to the ships over six days. After Zheng delivered the captives to Nanjing, the Yongle Emperor freed Alakeshvara but overthrew him and placed a prince named Parakramabahu VI as Kotte's new king.

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