Small Swords Society

Small Swords Society or Small Sword Society was a political activist organisation in Shanghai, China, and neighbouring areas amid the Taiping Rebellion, between about 1840 and 1855. Members of the society, rebelling against the Qing dynasty, occupied Shanghai city. Chinese gentry and merchants took refuge in the British and French concessions, which were regarded as the only safe places. The rebels briefly allied with the British forces in the concessions after Qing forces attacked the concessions during the Battle of Muddy Flat. The rebellion and society was annihilated in 1855.

Units were organized hierarchically, with leaders commanding small groups of fighters, similar to modern militia squads.