The Forgotten Wars of Central Asia: From the Kushan Empire to the Hephtalites
The forgotten wars of Central Asia, spanning from the rise of the Kushan Empire to the fall of the Hephtalites (White Huns), shaped the political and cultural dynamics of ancient Eurasia. These conflicts, often overlooked in mainstream history, were crucial in controlling the Silk Road and influencing neighboring empires like the Sassanid Persians and Gupta Indians. The Kushans, known for their cultural achievements and promotion of Buddhism, faced internal decline and external pressures, culminating in invasions by the nomadic Hephtalites. The rise and eventual fall of these powers left a profound legacy on Central Asia and beyond.