Vue Pa Chay

Vue Pa Chay (1868 – 1921) was a Hmong religious leader and rebel who led a major revolt against French colonial rule in Indochina, specifically in Laos, from 1918 to 1921. This uprising is often referred to as the Madman's War or the Insane Man's War.

Vue Pa Chay claimed to have been chosen by God to liberate the Hmong people from French oppression and to restore Hmong sovereignty. His movement attracted a large following amongst the Hmong and other ethnic minorities in the region, fueled by resentment towards French taxation, forced labor, and cultural interference.

The rebellion involved guerilla warfare and challenged French control in the highlands of Laos. Vue Pa Chay's forces were eventually defeated by the French, who utilized superior military technology and tactics. Vue Pa Chay was killed in 1921, effectively ending the revolt.

Despite its ultimate failure, Vue Pa Chay's rebellion is considered a significant event in Hmong history and continues to be a symbol of Hmong resistance against foreign domination. He is often regarded as a national hero by the Hmong people. His legacy remains a complex one, viewed both as a religious leader fighting for his people's freedom and as a figure whose actions resulted in significant loss of life and disruption.