Xia (Sixteen Kingdoms)

This article is about the state during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. For other dynasties named Xia, see Xia.

Xia 夏
407–431
Helian Xia in 423
Capital	Tongwan (418–427) Shanggui (427–428) Pingliang (428–430)
Government	Monarchy
Emperor
• 407–425	Helian Bobo
• 425–428	Helian Chang
• 428–431	Helian Ding
History
• Established	407
• Helian Bobo's claim of imperial title	418
• Fall of Tongwan	11 July 427
• Disestablished	431
• Helian Ding's death	13 May 432
Preceded by Succeeded by Later Qin Western Qin Northern Wei Tuyuhun Liu Song dynasty
Today part of	China

Xia (Chinese: 夏; pinyin: Xià), known in historiography as Hu Xia (胡夏), Northern Xia (北夏), Helian Xia (赫連夏) or the Great Xia (大夏), was a dynastic state of Xiongnu origin established by Helian Bobo during the Sixteen Kingdoms period in northern China. Prior to establishing the Xia, the imperial clan existed as a tribal entity known as the Tiefu (simplified Chinese: 铁弗; traditional Chinese: 鐵弗; pinyin: Tiěfú).

Although the Xia only lasted from 407 to 431, its capital Tongwan situated in the Ordos Desert was a heavily fortified and state-of-the-art city that served as a frontier garrison until the Song dynasty. Its ruins were discovered during the Qing dynasty and can still be seen in present-day Inner Mongolia.

The Book of Wei also records that Liu Kuren's tribe, the Dugu, were descended from the Xiongnu. Yao Weiyuan (姚薇元) suggested in the past that 'Dugu' was an alternate form of 'Tuge' (屠各), the Xiongnu aristocratic clan that had adopted the Han Chinese surname of Liu (劉), members of which also ruled the Former Zhao state. This writer further suggests that 'Tuge' is an alternate form of 'Tuhe' (徒河), which is the branch of the Xianbei from which the Murong (慕容) were descended. The Liu (Dugu) were also known as 'Tiefu' (鐵弗), a term which meant that they had Xiongnu fathers and Xianbei mothers. Thus it is reasonable to say that the Dugu were at least half Xianbei.

All rulers of the Xia declared themselves "emperors".

Chieftains of the Tiefu and rulers of the Xia

Temple name	Posthumous names	Personal name	Durations of reign	Era names
Chieftains of the Tiefu
–		Liu Qubei 劉去卑	260–272	–
–		Liu Gaoshengyuan 劉誥升爰	272–309	–
–		Liu Hu 劉虎	309–341	–
–		Liu Wuheng 劉務恆	341–356	–
–		Liu Eloutou 劉閼陋頭	356–358	–
–		Liu Xiwuqi 劉悉勿祈	358–359	–
–		Liu Weichen 劉衞辰	359–391	–
–		Liu Bobo	391–407	–
Rulers of the Xia
Shizu	Wulie	Helian Bobo (same person as Liu Bobo)	407–425	Longsheng (龍升) 407–413 Fengxiang (鳳翔) 413–418 Changwu (昌武) 418–419 Zhenxing (眞興) 419–425
–		Helian Chang	425–428	Chengguang (承光) 425–428
–		Helian Ding	428–431	Shengguang (勝光) 428–431

Rulers family tree

Xia

Qubei 去卑 d. ?; r. 216–? Liu Meng 刘猛 d. 272 Liu Gaoshengyuan 劉誥升爰 d. 309; r. ?–309 Liu Fulun 劉副崙 Liu Hu 劉虎 d. 341; r. 309–341 Liu Wuheng 劉務恒 d. 356; r. 341–356 Liu Eloutou 劉閼陋頭 r. 356–358 Liu Xiwuqi 劉悉勿祈 r. 358–359 Liu Weichen 劉衛辰 d. 391; r. 359–391 You Dedai 右地代 □ Li Qiti 力俟提 Ali Luoyin 阿利罗引 Zhi Lidi 直力鞮 Wei Fa 韦伐 Helian Bobo 赫連勃勃 b. 381– d. 425 Wulie 武烈 r. 407–425 Ruo Men 若门 Chi Yijian 叱以鞬 Yi Dou 乙斗 Wen Chen 文陈 □ Luo Tí 罗提 Helian Zhuxing 赫連助興 Helian Weiyidai 赫連謂以代 Helian Duluogu 赫連度洛孤 Helian Shegan 赫連社干 Helian Wushiba 赫連烏視拔 Helian Tugu 赫連禿骨 Helian An 赫連安 Suruo Dougen 宿若豆根 Yi Sheng 乙升 Helian Gui 赫連璝 d. 424 Helian Yan 赫連延 Helian Chang 赫連昌 d. 434; r. 425–428 Helian Lun 赫连伦 d. 424 Helian Ding 赫連定 d. 432; r. 428–431 Helian Man 赫連滿 Empress Helian d. 453 Empress Taiwu 太武皇后 (432–452) Su Dagan 宿沓干 daughter wife of Luo Ti 罗提 Helian Douwuyu 赫连豆勿于 Su Shí 宿石 □ Su Ni 宿倪 Helian Ziyue 赫连子悦 Helian Zhungzhang 赫连仲章

See also

• Xiongnu
• Wu Hu
• List of past Chinese ethnic groups
• Tongwan
• Xia Dynasty
• Western Xia