The Sixteen Kingdoms was a period of fragmentation in northern China during the 4th to 5th centuries CE, characterized by the rise of multiple short-lived states. This era followed the decline of the Jin Dynasty and was marked by political instability, warfare, and the establishment of various kingdoms, primarily by non-Han ethnic groups such as the Xianbei and Qiang. The term "Sixteen Kingdoms" refers to a specific grouping of these states, although the number fluctuated over time. Notable kingdoms included the Later Zhao, Northern Yan, and Western Qin. This period eventually led to the reunification of China under the Sui Dynasty.