History of China

China has been endowed with some of the most picturesque surroundings in the world. Gleaming lakes, colourful flora and fauna and an exceedingly rich cultural heritage; it is more than just a beautiful country. The roots of Chinese history are grounded deep and go back thousands of years.
The name China comes has been taken from the Sanskrit word ‘Cina’. The Qin Dynasty pronounced the word as ‘Chin’. The Persians had their version when they began trading with the Chinese through the Silk Route. They called it ‘Cin’. For the Greek and the Romans China was ‘the land where silk came from – Seres. It was only in 1516 that the name China appeared in the journals of Barbosa, who has narrated about his travels in the East.
1. Pre-History
Stone tools and use of fire which date back 1.36 and 1.27 million years ago respectively have been found in the region which now falls within the boundaries of China. Evidence of rice agriculture which go back to 8000 BC has been found by the Yangtze River. The Chinese were even familiar with some form of writing back in 7000 BC. The evidence to this was found in Jiahu – proto-writing did exist back then. The first villages began to settle in the Yellow River Valley and the proof was found in the archaeological excavations at Banpo Xian which date between 5000 BC and 3000 BC. The first culture was the Yangshao which was followed by Longshan culture.
Xia Dynasty 2070 to 1600 BC
The Xia Dynasty is considered as one of the first dynasties of China. Records of Sima Qian (Father of Chinese Historiography) speak about an emperor Zhuanxu or Gao Yang who was the grandson of Huang-Ti to be one of the Five Emperors to have founded the Xia Dynasty. Later a man by the name of Yu who is believed to have solved the flood problems of the area was made the leader of the Xia Dynasty’s army by the then ruling King Shun. Yu proved to be an effective leader of the army and managed to defeat the Sanmiao tribe who were a grave problem to the Xia people. Shun was so happy that he declared Yu the heir to the throne. Yu was a good ruler and Xia flourished under his rule for 45 years. His son Qi took the reins of the kingdom after him but couldn’t keep up to his father’s expectation. Soon the Xia dynasty dwindles under its leaders making way for the next dynasty.