Ispah Rebellion
Encyclopedia
The Ispah Rebellion was a series of civil wars in Fujian
, China
(then the Great Yuan Empire) occurring in the middle of 14th century. The term Ispah might derive from the Persian word
"سپاه" (sepâh) meaning "army" or "Sepoy
". Thus, the rebellion is also known as the Persian Sepoy Rebellion (波斯戍兵之乱; Bōsī Shùbīng zhī Luàn) in Chinese documents.
Under Mongolian rule, the number of Arabic and Persian
Muslims residing in the Chinese seaport city Quanzhou
was greatly boosted. These Muslims were classified under the Semu
caste (色目人) superior to Han Chinese
, holding high positions in the society. In 1357, an army of predominantly Muslims led by two Quanzhou Persians, Saif ad-Din (赛甫丁) and Amir ad-Din (阿迷里丁), was mobilized to suppress the local insurgences. In defiance of Imperial forces, the army seized hold of Quanzhou, Xinghua (today Putian
) and even overreached themselves to the provincial capital Fuzhou
. In 1362, the Ispah army collapsed into internal conflict and was eventually crushed in 1366 by the Chinese commander Chen Youding (陈友定).
The Rebellion added fuel to the interracial hatred. After the Han Chinese took control of Quanzhou, they committed mass murder of Semu people, which led to an exodus of the foreign community in this city. The importance of Quanzhou as an international seaport had been declining ever since.
Fujian
' , formerly romanised as Fukien or Huguing or Foukien, is a province on the southeast coast of mainland China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
(then the Great Yuan Empire) occurring in the middle of 14th century. The term Ispah might derive from the Persian word
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
"سپاه" (sepâh) meaning "army" or "Sepoy
Sepoy
A sepoy was formerly the designation given to an Indian soldier in the service of a European power. In the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army and Bangladesh Army it remains in use for the rank of private soldier.-Etymology and Historical usage:...
". Thus, the rebellion is also known as the Persian Sepoy Rebellion (波斯戍兵之乱; Bōsī Shùbīng zhī Luàn) in Chinese documents.
Under Mongolian rule, the number of Arabic and Persian
Persian people
The Persian people are part of the Iranian peoples who speak the modern Persian language and closely akin Iranian dialects and languages. The origin of the ethnic Iranian/Persian peoples are traced to the Ancient Iranian peoples, who were part of the ancient Indo-Iranians and themselves part of...
Muslims residing in the Chinese seaport city Quanzhou
Quanzhou
Quanzhou is a prefecture-level city in Fujian province, People's Republic of China. It borders all other prefecture-level cities in Fujian but two and faces the Taiwan Strait...
was greatly boosted. These Muslims were classified under the Semu
Semu
Semu is the name of a caste established in China under the Yuan Dynasty. Contrary to popular belief, the term "Semu" did not imply that caste members had "colored eyes" in contrast with black-eyed Mongol Yuan people...
caste (色目人) superior to Han Chinese
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
, holding high positions in the society. In 1357, an army of predominantly Muslims led by two Quanzhou Persians, Saif ad-Din (赛甫丁) and Amir ad-Din (阿迷里丁), was mobilized to suppress the local insurgences. In defiance of Imperial forces, the army seized hold of Quanzhou, Xinghua (today Putian
Putian
Putian is a prefecture-level city in eastern Fujian province, People's Republic of China. It borders Fuzhou City to the north, Quanzhou City to the south, and the Taiwan Strait to the east.-Administration:...
) and even overreached themselves to the provincial capital Fuzhou
Fuzhou
Fuzhou is the capital and one of the largest cities in Fujian Province, People's Republic of China. Along with the many counties of Ningde, those of Fuzhou are considered to constitute the Mindong linguistic and cultural area....
. In 1362, the Ispah army collapsed into internal conflict and was eventually crushed in 1366 by the Chinese commander Chen Youding (陈友定).
The Rebellion added fuel to the interracial hatred. After the Han Chinese took control of Quanzhou, they committed mass murder of Semu people, which led to an exodus of the foreign community in this city. The importance of Quanzhou as an international seaport had been declining ever since.