Du Wenxiu of Yunnan History

Du Wenxiu, also known as Sultan Sulaiman (麦积丁, Ma Jiading) or Sultan Du, was a prominent historical figure in the history of Yunnan province during the 19th century. Du Wenxiu (Chinese: 杜文秀; pinyin: Dù Wénxiù; Wade–Giles: Tu Wen-hsiu, Xiao’erjing: ٔدُﻮْ وٌ ﺷِﯿَﻮْ ْ ) (1823 to 1872) was the Chinese Muslim leader of the Panthay Rebellion, an anti-Qing revolt in China during the Qing dynasty. Du had Han Chinese ancestry. Born in Yongchang (now Baoshan, Yunnan), Du Wenxiu was the son of a Han Chinese who converted to Islam. His original name was Yang Xiu (杨秀). He styled himself “Sultan of Dali” and reigned for 16 years before Qing troops under Cen Yuying beheaded him after he swallowed a ball of opium. His body is entombed in Xiadui.

The rebellion started after massacres of Hui perpetrated by the Manchu authorities. Du used anti-Manchu rhetoric in his rebellion against the Qing, calling for Han to join the Hui to overthrow the Manchu Qing after 200 years of their rule. Du invited the fellow Hui Muslim leader Ma Rulong to join him in driving the Manchu Qing out and “recover China”. For his war against Manchu “oppresion”, Du “became a Muslim hero”, while Ma Rulong defected to the Qing. On multiple occasions Kunming was attacked and sacked by Du Wenxiu’s forces.

In Kunming, there was a slaughter of 3,000 Muslims on the instigation of the judicial commissioner, who was a Manchu, in 1856. Du Wenxiu was of Han Chinese origin despite being a Muslim and he led both Hui Muslims and Han Chinese in his civil and military bureaucracy. Du Wenxiu was fought against by another Muslim leader, the defector to the Qing Ma Rulong. The Muslim scholar Ma Dexin, who said that Neo-Confucianism was reconcilable with Islam, approved of Ma Rulong defecting to the Qing and he also assisted other Muslims in defecting.

Tribal pagan animism, Confucianism, and Islam were all legalized and “honoured” with a “Chinese-style bureaucracy” in Du Wenxiu’s Sultanate. A third of the Sultanate’s military posts were filled with Han Chinese, who also filled the majority of civil posts.

His capital was Dali. The revolt ended in 1873. Du Wenxiu is regarded as a hero by the present day government of China.

Early Life and Background

  • Birth and Upbringing: Du Wenxiu was born in 1823 in Yunnan province, which was then part of the Qing Dynasty of China. He belonged to the Hui ethnic group, which is predominantly Muslim, and was raised in a family that had a history of serving the Qing government.
  • Education: He received a traditional Confucian education and later studied Islamic theology, becoming well-versed in both Chinese classical texts and Islamic teachings.

Rise to Power

  • Rebellion: Du Wenxiu rose to prominence due to his leadership in a rebellion against Qing rule, known as the Panthay Rebellion (1856-1873). The rebellion was sparked by grievances among the Hui and other Muslim communities in Yunnan, including economic disparities, religious discrimination, and Qing policies.
  • Leadership: Du Wenxiu emerged as a charismatic leader who united various ethnic and religious groups, including Hui Muslims, Han Chinese, and others, against the Qing authorities. He proclaimed himself as the Sultan of Dali (大理回王) and sought to establish an independent state centered in Yunnan.

Panthay Rebellion

  • Military Campaigns: Under Du Wenxiu’s leadership, the rebellion gained significant traction, capturing several cities and territories in Yunnan province. The rebellion was marked by intense military engagements and strategic alliances with local communities opposed to Qing rule.
  • Religious and Cultural Dimensions: The Panthay Rebellion had strong religious underpinnings, with Du Wenxiu portraying himself not only as a political leader but also as a defender of Islam and the rights of Muslims in Yunnan.

Later Years and Legacy

  • Defeat and Exile: Despite initial successes, the Panthay Rebellion faced setbacks, including Qing military counteroffensives and internal divisions among rebel factions. In 1873, Du Wenxiu was defeated, and he eventually surrendered to Qing forces. He died in 1872 in captivity in Beijing.
  • Historical Legacy: Du Wenxiu is remembered for his role as a symbol of resistance against Qing rule and as a leader who sought to protect the interests of ethnic and religious minorities in Yunnan. His rebellion highlighted the complex interplay of ethnic, religious, and political factors in the history of southwest China during the 19th century.
  • Cultural Impact: Du Wenxiu’s legacy continues to resonate in Yunnan and among Hui communities in China, where he is often regarded as a hero who stood up against oppression and advocated for the rights of marginalized groups.

In summary, Du Wenxiu, Sultan of Dali, was a pivotal figure in the Panthay Rebellion in Yunnan province during the Qing Dynasty. His leadership and rebellion underscored the challenges and aspirations of ethnic and religious minorities in southwest China during the 19th century, leaving a lasting impact on the region’s history and identity.