Ma Fulu

Who was Ma Fulu?

Ma Fulu, a Chinese Muslim, was the son of General Ma Qianling, and the brother of Ma Fucai, Ma Fushou, and Ma Fuxiang. He joined the martial arts hall and attended military school. In 1895, he served under general Dong Fuxiang, leading loyalist Chinese Muslims to crush a revolt by rebel Muslims in the Dungan revolt. His loyalist Muslim troops massacred the rebel Muslims, delivering their severed heads and ears to their superiors. In 1897 Ma Fulu received a military Jinshi degree.

Ma was transferred along with his brother Ma Fuxiang and several cousins to serve as officers under General Dong Fuxiang to Beijing in 1898. During the Boxer Rebellion, the Muslim troops came to be known as the "Kansu Braves", and fought against the Eight Nation Alliance. Ma Fulu and Ma Fuxiang both participated in ambushing and driving back the Alliance forces at the Battle of Langfang, after which they returned to Beijing. Ma Fulu and four cousins of his were killed in action during the battle against the foreigners in the legations, in 1900 during the Battle of Peking. He had commanded a brigade, his brother Ma Fuxiang took over his position after his death.