in the middle of the 2nd century bc, the yuezhi tribe of modern china moved westward into central asia, which, in turn, caused the sakas (scythians) to move west and south. the northern sakas, also known as the indo-scythians, moved first into bactria, and later crossed the hindu kush into india, successfully wresting power from the indo-greeks. they were followed by the yuezhi, who was known in india as the kushans or kushanas. the kushanas founded a kingdom in the 1st century that lasted for several centuries. both the indo-scythians and the kushans embraced buddhism, and absorbed elements of indo-greek art and culture into their own. another central asiatic people to make punjab their home were the hephthalites (white huns), who engaged in continuous campaigns from across the hindu kush, finally establishing their rule in india in the fifth century.