Xia dynasty

the first hereditary dynasty recorded in the Chinese dynasties (ca. 2100 BCE--1916 BCE), house of Xiahou

Xia dynasty (Chinese: 夏朝; Pinyin: xià cháo; Wade–Giles: Hsia-ch'ao) was the first dynasty of China. It was founded in 2100 BC and ended in 1600 BC. Until archaeologists dug at Erlitou in Henan Province, many scientists were not sure if the Xia Dynasty was real or a myth. The last king was Jie who was said to be cruel and greedy. He was defeated by T'ang, the king of the Shang people from the east.

Map of Xia Dynasty

Kings of the Xia dynasty

Names after death (Shi Hao 諡號)1
OrderReign2ChinesePinyinNotes
0145also Yu the Great (大禹; dà yǔ)
0210 
0329太康Tai Kang 
0413仲康Zhòng Kāng 
0528Xiāng 
0621少康Shǎo Kāng 
0717Zhù 
0826Huái 
0918Máng 
1016Xiè 
1159不降Bù Jiàng 
1221Jiōng 
1321JǐnGuoyu: jìn, putonghua: jǐn
1431孔甲Kǒng Jiǎ 
1511Gāo 
1611 
1752Jiéalso Lu Gui (履癸 lǚ guǐ)
1 Sometimes the king has the dynasty name, Xia (夏), in his name. For example, Xia Yu (夏禹).
2 Possible number of years.