Tardush Shad


Tardush Shad — was a yabgu of Tokharistan. He was a son of Tong Yabgu Qaghan.

Reign

In 618 or 625 Tong Yabgu invaded Tokharistan and forced Hephtalite principalities to submit. According to Cefu Yuangui, these principalities were Zabulistan, Kapisa-Gandhara, Khuttal, Chaghaniyan, Shignan, Shuman, Badhgis, Wakhan, Guzgan, Bamiyan, Kobadiyan and Badakhshan, when Pantu Nili - a later yabgu of Tokharistan submitted to Tang. He installed his son Tardu in Kunduz to rule over with title of Tokharistan Yabgu.

Family and death

He was married two times - both a daughter of Qu Boya - ruler of Qocho. When Xuanzang visited Kunduz, he also brought a letter from his brother-in-law and ruler of Qocho Qu Wentai to Tardu. Yabgu received him despite being in ill condition. It was Tardu to advise him to make a trip westward to Balkh, to see the Buddhist sites and relics. Xuanzang also witnessed a palace scandal when Tardu's firstborn son Ishbara Tegin fallen in love with his new step-mother and poisoned Tardu in 630.