In response to GM, in the 5th c. Persia's king attacked Armenia to strengthen his control. Yet Armenia was not independent of Persia, and if I stated otherwise, I would be branded a nationalist. Local authorities tend to *act* independently as central authority weakens, yet this alone doesn't establish an independent state. If Persia recognized khan as independent, or if the khan defeated Persia's attacking force, it might constitute establishment of independent statehood.