Bulgars of the Volga River Basin and the historical events of their kingdom until their declaration of allegiance to the Mongol state of Al-Qafqaj in 635 AH/1237 AD.

Abstract

The Bulgarians are one of the peoples who had a significant cultural influence in the Asian-European crossroads region north of the Caspian Sea (Khazars), which is geographically known as the Volga River basin. This basin occupied vast areas settled by many peoples and tribes alongside the Bulgars, most of whom were of Turkish origin.

The historical roots of the Bulgars before the establishment of their kingdom indicate that they consisted of a group of scattered tribes, each with its own name, such as Barsula, Ishkel, and Bulgar, in addition to other tribal groups that later united under the collective name “Bulgar.” Although there are multiple names for this people in the sources, such as Balkan, Bulgar, Burgara, and Burgar, they are all phonetic derivations close to the word “Bulgar.” It is noteworthy that some ancient Arabic sources, such as Ibn Rustah, included the Bulgars among the Saqaliba people.

Following the Mongol invasion of Europe in 633 AH / 1235 AD, and the accompanying extermination of the peoples of Central Europe, European clergy and early historians began to use the term “Tatar” to refer to all Eastern Turkic-speaking peoples, including the Bulgars. This term was used as a metaphor for brutality and barbarism. This historical distortion prompted some Russian historians to work to correct this generalization, emphasizing the invalidity of the link between the Bulgarians and the Mongols and stressing that the Bulgarians were not responsible for the brutal acts committed by the Mongols. This study, which focused on the naming and historical roots of the Bulgar people, also included available information on the establishment of the Bulgar kingdom and the historical events it witnessed, whether related to the events of this kingdom before its people converted to Islam or what was mentioned about the conversion of the Bulgar king to Islam and the details of Ibn Fadlan's journey, which he included in his journey about the Bulgar people and their king, the spread of Islamic practices that occurred after the journey, and the relations of the Bulgarian kingdom with the surrounding kingdoms. The study concludes with the Bulgarian kingdom's acceptance of its subjugation to the Mongol Khanate of Qafqaj in 635 AH / 1237 AD.