Du Wenxiu

Panthay Rebellion of 1872

On 26 December 1872, the 16-year long "Panthay Rebellion" was crushed with the recapture of Dali and the execution of the Panthay leader, Du Wenxiu. When he was captured, Du Wenxiu took an overdose of opium but he was decapitated nonetheless. His head was encased in honey and sent to the Emperor as a gift. Tens of thousands of Panthay were slaughtered. Hundreds of thousands in total likely died as a result of the rebellion. Thousands more found refuge in...