The Kushan Empire

The Yeuzhi were an Indo-European nomadic tribe from the Western border of China. Similar to many nomadic tribes from the region, their military success came from their superior bow weilding cavalry. After a major defeat by the neighbouring Xiongnu tribe, the Yeuzhi fled Westward into ancient Bactria or present day Uzbekistan region.

Here they would thrive and founded the Kushan Empire. By the end of the 1st Century they would dominate all surrounding civilizations, conquering parts of current day Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Northern tip of India.

The Kushan Empire became very wealthy by controlling a big part of the Silk road. They incorporated many religions from the different regions that they conquered. Buddhism is one of these religions. Today, the Kushans are credited with exporting the Buddhist teachings from India to many other countries including China. The empire would eventually fragment into smaller kingdoms and fall to other dynasties by the 4th Century.