Xia Dynasty was the first dynasty of China. Xia dynasty can be dated back to 1600 B.C. The region of Xia dynasty was near Henan and Shaanxi province. Thesere two provinces are civilization cradle of Chinese. Henan and Shaanxi are rich in historical sites and cultural sites of China. Chinese culture and history are originated from these areas.The Xia Dynasty lasted for nearly 500 years and during those long years, a lot of modification has been made doable under diverse leaders from one generation to another. All through those years, the nation of China has been under the leadership of 17 different emperors that has left a lot of remarkable changes in the country’s culture.
Facts of Xia Dynasty
Duration: 2170 B.C-1600 B.C
Capital: Yangcheng,Yangdi in Henan Province
Emperors: 17 emperors, including Qi, Tai Kang, Shao Kang Zhongxing, Kong Jia and Jie,etc
Replaced by: Shang Dynasty
Intruduction to the Xia Dynasty
During the 21st century BC,
Yu succeeded in controlling the floods of the Yellow River and
Shun the leader
abdicated and made Yu the head of the tribal federation along the Yellow River watershed. After Yu's death, his son
Qi, inherited the position from his father, abolishing the abdication system where the best man ruled and established the first slave dynasty, the Xia Dynasty in Chinese history. from Yu to Jie, emperors of Xia Dynasty ruled the Yellow River Watershed area of China for over 400 years, through 17 kings of 14 generations. Originally, the capital was in Yangcheng laid on the Mt. Songshan, Dengfeng County of Henan Province, and later it was moved to Yangdi (Yuzhou City, Henan Province today).
After ascending to the throne, Qi feasted leaders of all parts of the country at Juntai lying in Yuzhou City, Hennan Province, in the hope of establishing his rulership. Dissatisfied with Qi's destroying of the abdication system, the leader of the Youhu tribe refused to attend the dinner. Qi went on a punitive expedition against the Youhu tribe and defeating them helped him to consolidate the regime of the Xia Dynasty.
Qi addicted himself to drinking and entertainment, and died after ten years as sovereign. After Qi's death, his son, Taikang, took over his position. Taikang was slovenly with the political affairs, and indulged in debauchery. As a result, Houyi, leader of the Youqiong tribe, seized the opportunity and captured the regime. Houyi also delighted in hunting and playing, and finally was killed by his ministers. Following the death of Houyi, the Xia Dynasty floundered for 40 years. Eventually, Shaokang, a great grandson of Taikang, resumed as sovereign of the Xia Dynasty with the help of the Youhu tribe. Thereafter, the Xia Dynasty experienced rule by eight wise emperors's during which the society was steady, the economy was prosperous, and people lived a peaceful and happy life.
During the prosperous times, the territory of the Xia Dynasty spread to the west of Henen Province and the south of the Shanxi Province. In the east, it reached to the juncture of Henan, Shandong and Hebei Provinces; it started from
Hubei Province in the south and ended in Hebei Province in the north. During that period
Xia's rule extended to the north and south of the Yellow River even to the Yangtze River watershed.
Following the rule of Emperor Kongjia (1789 -1758 BC), the
Xia Dynasty gradually went into decline again. Kangjia paid little attention to state affairs, thus class contradiction became very sharp, in addition to the continuous foreign aggression. The last emperor,
Jie(1728-1675 BC) was very extravagant and dissipated. Jie constructed a palace for his favorite Concubine Meixi, drank and made entertainment with her day and night, in spite of the hardship of the common people. The loyal ministers who admonished him were all killed, thus vassals on all sides betrayed Jie. Tang, the leader of the
Shang tribe in the East, led his army in a crusaded against Jie. With the summons 'kismet' Tang won the support of most common people and defeated Jie. Jie escaped to Nanchao (south west of the Chao County, Anhui Province today) and died there in the end, which signaled the end of the Xia Dynasty.