Panthays

Panthays, a Mohammedan community occupying the province of Yun-nan in the south-west of China, who asserted their independence in 1855. In 1859 they captured Talifoo, the second city of the province, and in 1858 the capital. Their leader Wen-soai (King Suleiman) established his authority over about 4,000,000 of people, of whom not above a tenth were Mohammedans. In 1866 the Chinese government recognised the independence of the Panthays, and in 1872 their king sent his son Hassan on a mission to Europe. Meanwhile the Chinese again attacked the Panthays, defeated them utterly, and finally suppressed their empire. Panthays is an anglicised form of Pan-si, their own name. They are still numerous.