
Volga Bulgarian
Volga Bulgarian refers to the medieval state formed by the Bulgar people, a Turkic-speaking group, along the Volga River in what is now Russia, from the 7th to the 13th centuries. It was a significant cultural and political center, serving as a crossroads of trade, influence, and religion. In the 10th century, the Bulgars adopted Christianity, leading to the development of a unique Bulgar culture that blended Turkic, Slavic, and Byzantine elements. The Volga Bulgars eventually integrated into the emerging Russian states, but their legacy is seen in the region's history, language, and cultural diversity.