Mongol Invasion of Volga Bulgaria

From 1223 through 1236, the Mongols invaded Volga Bulgaria. Throughout most of its history, the Bulgar state, centred in the lower Volga and Kama, was the epicentre of Eurasia's fur trade. Before the Mongol conquest, Russians from Novgorod and Vladimir stole and invaded the Bulgar Empire, diminishing its economy and military capability. In late 1223 or early 1224, the latter ambushed the Mongols. There were several clashes between 1229 and 1234, and the Mongol Empire subjugated the Bulgars in 1236.

After defeating Russian and Cuman/Kipchak armies in the Battle of Kalka in 1223, a Mongol army led by Subutai and Jebe was dispatched to Volga Bulgaria to conquer it. At the time, Genghis Khan's army was thought to be unstoppable. However, the Bulgars may have fought the Mongols in late 1223 (or 1224). The Arab historian Ibn al-Athir wrote a brief narrative in Mosul, 1,800 kilometres (1,100 miles) away from the incident. The exhausted Mongols returned to the Volga after numerous harsh clashes with the Bulgars.

Meanwhile, the Russians continued to attack the Bulgar State to take control of this prosperous territory. The Mongols, dispatched by Ögedei Khan, returned in 1229 under the command of Kukday and Bubedey. This force crossed the Ural River and occupied the upper Ural valley, defeating Bulgar boundary guards. The Mongol cavalry conquered the southeastern half of Bashkiria and the southern parts of Volga Bulgaria in 1232. In 1236, a troop of 25-35,000 Mongols led by Batu Khan attacked Europe. They besieged and conquered Bilär, Bolghar, Suar, Cükätaw, and other Volga Bulgarian cities and strongholds. The people who lived there were either slain or sold into slavery. The Ulus Jochi, afterwards known as the Golden Horde, absorbed Volga Bulgaria. The land was divided into duchies, and as vassal nations of the Golden Horde, they were given some autonomy.

The agricultural population that remained was compelled to flee the steppes. The majority of the people resided around the Kama River and in the surrounding districts to the north. The ("Kazan Tatar") population grew up in the area around Kazan, which had been colonized by the Mari people a few years previously. All of these cities, including Kazan, became new significant political and commercial centres. Some cities were restored, such as Bolghar and Cükätaw, but these were mostly commerce centres with a population that was not predominantly Bolgar.

The Bulgars revolted, commanded by the nobility after the Mongols departed Volga Bulgaria to conquer the Russian country. After that, the Mongols returned to put down the rebellions.

According to some historians, the invasion killed more than 80% of the country's population. The remaining people generally moved to forested areas in the north (modern Chuvashia and Tatarstan). In such areas, certain sovereign duchies arose. Nomadic Kipchaks may have settled the southern steppe parts of Volga Bulgaria, and agricultural growth suffered a serious setback. The cities of Volga Bulgaria were restored throughout time and became the Golden Horde's trade and craft centres. Some Bulgarians were forcibly relocated to Sarai and other Golden Horde cities in the south, particularly masters and artisans. However, agriculture and crafts remained important in Volga Bulgaria.

Ethnolinguistic impact: Volga Bulgaria had a predominantly Muslim population. More and more nomadic Mongols and Kipchaks converted to Islam under the influence of Bulgar culture. The Golden Horde's language evolved into the Kipchak language adopted by all Muslim Volga Bulgars. The Golden Horde's literary language evolved into what is now known as the Old Tatar language, which eventually evolved into the present Tatar language due to the mingling of Kipchak and Bulgar. Some of Bulgaria's non-Islamic inhabitants retained the Bulgar language, which was affected by the Mari language spoken in the areas where they had relocated. The contemporary Chuvash language arose as a result of this. Some historians believe that the ethnic makeup of the population of Volga Bulgaria remained mostly Bulgar and somewhat Finno-Ugric during the Mongol era. Some people believe that some Kipchaks and Russians were forcibly transported to Bulgaria. Some Bulgars were undoubtedly forcibly transferred to the land of modern-day Astrakhan Oblast, where the population was formerly nomadic. The Volga, The Muslim community in Bulgaria, liked to be called Muslims (Möselmannar), although they used the term Bulghar to distinguish themselves from the nomadic Muslim Kipchaks. It remains until the 19th century that they were referred to as Tatars. Volga Bulgars were originally distinguishable from nomadic Tatars by Russian sources, but the term "Tatar" later became synonymous with "Turkic Muslim." To differentiate themselves, they began to use the names of the khanates: the inhabitants of the Khanate of Kazan were known as the people of Kazan (Qazanl); the steppe Tatars and Russians also used this term.

Some Volga Bulgarian duchies became more independent in the middle of the 14th century, even coining their own money. Bulgar nobles controlled the duchies on occasion. The Kasan Duchy (Kazan Ulus) became practically independent from the Golden Horde in the 1420s, thanks to Ghiasetdin's leadership. All regions inhabited by Volga Bulgars were included in the Khanate of Kazan in the 1440s, ruled by Mongol dynasties. The Khanate encompassed Mari and Chuvash provinces, and the kings of Bashkir, Udmurt, and Mordvin countries were considered vassals of Kazan. These were the peoples who had traditionally been under Volga Bulgaria's economic and cultural influence.