Volga Bulgar Emirate

Abstract Volga Bulgaria, a Turkic‐speaking state in Eastern Europe between the 9th and mid‐13th centuries, ruled over extensive lands mostly around the middle Volga and Kama rivers. Volga Bulgaria was important because it controlled the key route between Central Asia and northern Europe, particularly the Fur Road. The Bulgars were also the first to convert to Islam in Eastern Europe. Despite originally being pastoral nomads, the Volga Bulgars developed a flourishing urban civilization with several cities, even though a significant part of the population lived outside these centers. The Bulgars fought a number of wars with the early expanding Rus’ state, particularly in c.964/965 with Sviatoslav and 985 with Vladimir for the control of trade. Other wars followed in the late 12th century. In 1236, the Mongols subjugated the Volga Bulgar state, which eventually evolved into the Kazan’ Khanate.