THE KIDARITES,THE RED HUNS 320-500

THE KIDARITES,THE RED HUNS 320-500

The Kidarites (Chinese: 寄多羅 Jiduolo[1]) were a dynasty that ruled Bactria and adjoining parts of Central Asia and South Asia in the 4th and 5th centuries CE. The Kidarites belonged to a complex of peoples known collectively in India as the Huna . he Kidarites established the first of four major Xionite/Huna states in Central Asia, followed by the Hephthalites, the Alchon, and the Nezak. In 360-370 CE, a Kidarite kingdom was established in Central Asian regions opreviously ruled by the Sasanian Empire, replacing the Kushano-Sasanians in Bactria.

Contemporary Chinese and Roman sources suggest that, during the 4th century, the Kidarites began to encroach on the territory of Greater Khorasan and the Kushan Empire – migrating through Transoxiana into Bactria. The Kidarites also initially put pressure on the Sasanian Empire, but later served as mercenaries in the Sassanian army

Migrating into Bacteria

Around 350, the Sasanian Emperor Shapur II (ruled 309 to 379) had to interrupt his conflict with the Romans, and abandon the siege of Nisibis,[11] in order to face nomadic threats in the east: he was attacked in the east by Scythian Massagetae and other Central Asian tribes.[15] Around this time, Xionite/Huna tribes, most likely the Kidarites, whose king was Grumbates, make an appearance as an encroaching threat upon Sasanian territory as well as a menace to the Gupta Empire (320-500CE)
The Sasanian Emperor Peroz I (ruled 459–484) fought Kidara and then his son Kungas, forcing Kungas to leave Bactria. 

The Kidarites were soon overwhelmed by the Hephthalites.[25][16] By 520, Gandhara was definitely under Hephthalite control, according to Chinese pilgrims.[11]
The Alchon followed the Kidarites into India circa 500, invading Indian territory as far as Eran and Kausambi