Who was the notable imperial eunuch known for his voyages through the Indian Ocean in the 15th century?

Zheng He was a prominent imperial eunuch from the Ming Dynasty in China, renowned for his extensive maritime expeditions during the early 15th century. He led several large voyages that traversed the Indian Ocean, aiming to establish Chinese presence and to expand trade networks across the region. His voyages reached as far as the eastern coasts of Africa, significantly enhancing maritime trade and cultural exchanges between China and various nations.

Zheng He's expeditions were notable not just for their scale—often involving fleets of hundreds of ships—but also for their diplomatic missions, which sought to create alliances and showcase Chinese wealth and power. His legacy is critical to understanding the influence of maritime exploration in the context of world history, particularly during the age of exploration.

In contrast, other figures in the options had different focuses or contexts. Marco Polo was known for overland travel to Asia in the 13th century, while Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus were significant figures in European exploration but focused primarily on different routes and regions that did not include Zheng He's Indian Ocean voyages.