Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s9.t3.5

v1.c7.s9.t3.5

In 1853, conflicts between Han and Moslem miners increased, which by 1855 finally took the shape of a local rebellion, known as the Panthey (or Hui) Rebellion, under the charismatic leadership of Du Wenxiu. Taking the title of Sultan Sulaiman and establishing the Pingnan guo [Kingdom of Pacified South], Du ruled from his capital, Dali, until caught and beheaded by the Qing in December 1872. Ma Dexin initially worked closely with Du in the Rebellion as one of the leading religious and military leaders. He later shifted his allegiance to the Qing Government and played the role of a peacemaker between the state and rebels, propagating a harmonic integration of Islam into the Confucian order. Some of his best writings were produced during this time. He was however, still considered a rebel by the state due to his early subversive activities. Finally in January 1874, two years after the complete suppression of Rebellion, he was arrested and executed. Some accounts mention that he was poisoned to death.