Kham (Pinyin: Kangba); is a historical region presently divided between the Tibetan Autonomous Region; and the Chinese provinces of Sichuan; with smaller portions found in Qinghai; Gansu and Yunnan; where Khampas; a subgroup within the Tibetan ethnicity; live. During the Republic of China's rule over mainland China (1911-1949); most of the region was called Sikang Province (Xikang Sheng). The people of Kham are famous warriors; and armed escorts for caravans - for example on the Tea Horse Road - were formerly essential to guard against bandits.