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.