Islamic Fighters in the Siege of Peking - A Forgotten Chapter, assalamu alaikum

Assalamu alaikum. I came across a topic that feels overlooked in both Muslim history and general history: the role of Chinese Muslims during the Siege of Peking in 1900. Even though they didn’t prevail, their sacrifices deserve recognition. Quick background: the Boxer movement held Peking for about 55 days in 1900, claiming to oppose growing foreign influence. They had backing from parts of the Qing dynasty, which ruled China until 1912. An international relief force eventually reached the legation quarter to rescue diplomats, civilians, and Chinese Christians, and the Qing court later had to accept harsher terms that expanded foreign control. Who was involved (short version): various foreign powers formed a relief force, and on the Chinese side the Boxers and elements of the Qing military took part. Among Qing forces were several Muslim commanders and units. The Gansu Braves: - The Gansu Braves were roughly 10,000 Chinese Muslim soldiers from Gansu province, loyal to the Qing. Led by General Dong Fuxiang, they served as part of the Wuwei Corps and were charged with defending Peking. - Contemporary reports say these Muslim troops were particularly zealous in fighting foreign forces and were often more aggressive in the siege than some other Qing units. - They helped stop an early multinational expedition (the Seymour Expedition) trying to reach the legations in June 1900, and during the siege (20 June–14 August 1900) they pressed heavy attacks on the legation quarter. - Their resistance was notable enough that there were even reports of appeals to the Ottoman government for help, though the uprising ended before any such intervention. - In the final battle at Zhengyang Gate many of them fought bravely; General Ma Fulu and several relatives and around a hundred Hui and Dongxiang Muslim soldiers were killed in a charge against the relief force. - There were also violent incidents involving some of these troops and foreign diplomats or residents, which helped escalate the conflict - for example the killing of a German diplomat on 20 June 1900. At the same time, the situation was complex: while some Hui Muslims fought the foreigners alongside Qing forces, other Muslim communities suffered from the Boxers and protected Christians. Why it matters: this episode shows Muslims from China playing a significant, if complicated, part in a major international crisis. Their loyalty to the Qing, their bravery in battle, and the tragedies they endured are worth remembering in Muslim historical memory. Salam and may Allah reward those who sacrificed; I’d love to hear if anyone else has sources or family stories about Chinese Muslim soldiers from that era.