Xia is regarded as the first dynasty in Chinese history, lasting from about the 21 century to the sixteenth century B.C.
Before scientific excavations were made at early bronze-age sites at Anyang, Henan Province, in 1928, it was difficult to separate myth from reality in regard to the Xia Dynasty. Since then, and especially in the 1960s and 1970s, archaeologists have uncovered urban sites, bronze implements, and tombs that can prove the existence of Xia civilization. The Xia Dynasty marked an evolutionary stage between the late Neolithic cultures and the typical Chinese urban civilization of the Shang dynasty.

According to the history records from Warring States and Han Dynasty, the Xia Dynasty was established by the legendary Yu the Great after Shun gave his throne to him.
Gun, the father of Yu the Great, is the earliest recorded member of the Xia clan. When the Yellow River flooded, many tribes united together to control and stop the flood. Gun was appointed by Yao, the head of the tribe to stop the flood. He ordered the construction of large blockades to block the path of the water.
The Gun’s attempted to stop the flooding lasted for nine years but failed finally because the floods became stronger. After nine years, Yao had already given his throne to Shun. Gun was ordered to be executed by Shun at Yushan, a mountain located between the modern Donghai County in Lianyungang, Jiangsu and the Linshu County in Linyi, Shandong.
Shun then appointed Gun’s son-Yu to finish his father’s work. Yu’s method was different from his father’s. He united all the people of every tribe and ordered them to help him build canals in all the major rivers that were flooding and lead it out to the sea. He was highly trusted by Shun.

Yu did this for 13 years without going back to his home. Legend says in those 13 years, he passed by his house three times without going in which was a sign of his perseverance in his work. The people praised his perseverance and were so inspired by him that other tribes joined in his work as well. Eventually, after 13 years, he was successful in stopping the floods and was greatly admired by his people.

The Xia tribe’s influence strengthened and Yu became the leader of the surrounding tribes. Soon afterwards Shun sent Yu to lead an army to suppress the Sanmiao tribe who continuously abused the boundary tribes. After defeating them, Yu exiled them south to the Han River area.
Their victory strengthened the Xia tribe’s power even more. Shun, since he was getting old, started to think whom he will pass his throne to. Shun abdicated the throne in favor of Yu which he deemed worthy. This succession of Yu as the king is the start of the Xia Dynasty.
Soon before his death, instead of passing power to the person deemed most capable to rule, Yu passed power to his son, Qi, setting the precedence for dynastic rule or the Hereditary System. The Xia Dynasty began a period of family or clan control.

How was Xia Dynasty ended?

Xia was defeated and replaced by Shang. Jie, the last ruler, was said to be a cruel tyrant. One of the kingdom's officials, Tang, rebelled against the emperor. In the end, around 1600 BC, Xia was conquered by Tang. The Shang Dynasty was founded, which began a new era. Tang became the first king ofthe Shang dynasty.
After the defeat of Xia by Shang, some members from the royal family of Xia Dynasty survived as the Qi state until 445 BC. The Qi state was well recorded as the major supporter of the Xia Dynasty. The Kings of the state of Yue, and therefore its successor state Minyue, also claimed to be descended from Yu the Great.erful but not hegemonic.

How was Xia Dynasty like?

There were 13 generations and 16 kings in Xia Dynasty. The capital area of Xia Dynasty was located in the western part of Henan and the northern part of Shanxi. It was said that the regime of the Xia has been stopped for some time. It was Shaokang who rebuild Xia Dynasty. After that, Xia declined gradually and was replaced by Shang dynasty finishing its 400 years of existing.
Because there were not direct records for the events of Xia dynasty, most of the information of Xia was learned from some ancient records. In recent years, many huge palace, mausoleum and bronze have been unearthed. There were officials, palaces and prisons in the country.