Volga Bulgaria (late 9th century-1236)

After Old Great Bulgaria broke up, part of the Bulgars moved north to where the Volga and Kama meet. Uniting the tribes there, they founded a state in the late 9th century, at first subject to the Khazar Khaganate.

To free himself from the Khazars, the Bulgar ruler Almysh turned to the caliph in Baghdad. The caliph's envoys arrived in 922, and Ibn Fadlan, who travelled with them, wrote a detailed account of the journey. That year the Volga Bulgars officially adopted Islam.

Bolghar and Bilär were great trading towns where northern furs, honey and grain were sold to the south. In 1236 the Mongols took Bilär and the state became part of the Golden Horde. Today's Volga Tatars and the Chuvash both regard the Volga Bulgars as their ancestors.