The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c12.22.3

v1.c12.22.3

It seems to have disappeared as a result of a series of defeats inflicted on them by the Western Turks (T'u-chüeh), the Sasanid king Khusrau I, surnamed Anōshirvān (531-79 A.D.), and the Indian kings Yaśodharman and Bālāditya in about the middle of the 6th century A.D.³ It is possible that after the downfall of the Huns, the Sasanids again established their power over the borders of India. According to Ṭabarī and Mīrkhond, Khusrau I, in his later years sent expeditions to India by sea and obtained territory from an Indian king. Gibbon includes Kābul and Zābulistān in the empire of Khusrau.⁴ But if this was so it must have been for a comparatively short period, for soon afterwards, the Sasanid power itself began to decline, and a new body of nomadic tribes, usually designated as ‘Turks’ (Chinese T'u-chüeh) spread over the Oxus valley from the borders of China.¹ Khusrau I had already formed a matrimonial alliance with them and was materially aided by them in his campaigns against the Epthalites, while Bahrām VI (590-91 A.D.) and Bistām (592-96 A.D.) both sought refuge and met with death amongst them.² The Turks thus displaced the Epthalites and occupied their position in Transoxania. In 620-28 A.D. they assisted Heraclius in his campaigns against Persia.³ When Yuan Chwang started on his Indian pilgrimage in 630 A.D.