The Xia Dynasty ( c . 2070–1600 BC) was China's first dynasty and lasted for about four centuries. In ancient times, inhabiting the middle reaches of the Yellow River was a strong and powerful tribal alliance led by Yu. After Yu's death, his son Qi took power by force and founded the Xia Dynasty, starting China's history of hereditary family rule. Although Qi was the dynasty's founding monarch, historians regard Yu as its first leader because Yu fostered the tribal alliance.