Final answer:
The kings of Kushana and Xiongnu relied on local leaders and the nobility to maintain order and collect taxes. These figures provided military and administrative support, and in the case of the Kushana Empire, local chiefs had autonomy yet paid tribute to their overlords.
Step-by-step explanation:
The kings of Kushana and Xiongnu often relied on local chieftains, tribal leaders, and nomadic aristocracy to maintain order and collect taxes in their regions. These leaders, sometimes acting as vassals or part of a wider network of allegiance, played critical roles in administrating and supporting the central authority through various means. This included providing military support, engaging in local governance, and ensuring the smooth collection of tributes and taxes. In the context of the Kushana Empire, after the death of Emperor Vasudeva I, the empire split, and new local chiefs, sometimes referred to as Indo-Sasanians, were employed who had partial autonomy yet still paid tribute to the Sasanians.
Throughout history, these types of arrangements were common in empires that spanned vast territories with diverse populations. The local leaders would have the influence and local knowledge essential for maintaining order and ensuring the central government's economic interests were met. They were, in a sense, extensions of the central government, albeit with varying levels of autonomy. Of note is the relationship between the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu, where tribute and the establishment of clear borders and diplomatic relations were used to maintain a balance of power between the two.