Kipunada

Gupta and Kidarite successors

The coins of Kipunada in Central and Western Punjab were followed by peculiar coins minted locally in Punjab, with the name "Samudra" on them (Gupta script:), presumably connected to the Gupta Empire ruler Samudragupta. Soon after this, coinage was issued in Punjab by Kidarite Hun rulers known as Kirada, Peroz and then the famous Kidara, who occupied the territory formerly held by the Kushans.

Kipunada lost his independence directly to the invading Hunas who had invaded northern India and acted as a local ruler of Taxila (alongside Mahi and Shaka) under the suzerainty of the Gupta emperors, while still using the coinage style of the Great Kushans. The Kushano-Sasanian sites, including the coins, extended to Gandhara due to Shapur II's protection of the eastern borders of his Sasanian Empire against the invading Huns/Chionites. His treaties with the Huns resulted in: allowing them to join the Sasanian troops, treating them as allies and allowing his direct control over the east. The Kushano-Sasanian coin series issued by Kidara and a certain Pērōz, in Tokharistan and Gandhara continued. Evidently, Kidara I was the Kushan king who submitted to the Gupta king Samudragupta and accepted Gupta suzerainty.