The early Middle Ages: social change and the first states

When the Kangju state weakened, Khwarazm was the first to break away, and it was ruled by Khwarazmshahs of the local Afrighid dynasty. This dynasty ruled in the 4th–10th centuries; its founder is named as Afrigh. According to the book, in 305 Afrigh moved his residence to the ancient city of Kath, and from then on the Afrighid kings minted silver coins. Khwarazm kept its political independence under the Chionites, Kidarites, Eftalites and the Turk Khaganate, and held diplomatic contacts with Byzantium and the Turks. The Chionites ruled in Central Asia from the 370s to the second half of the 5th century; their state spread south from the Zarafshan oasis and included Tokharistan and part of northern India. In the 420s the Kidarites led by Kidar entered the Amu Darya basin, and their capital was Balkh. The Kidarites were defeated by the Sasanians in 456 and, weakened further by the Eftalites, withdrew to northern India. Historians hold different views about the origin of these peoples.