Mongol invasion of Volga Bulgaria
| Mongol invasion of Volga Bulgaria | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Mongol Empire | Volga Bulgaria | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Subutai Jebe (1223) Sunitay and Kukedey (1229-1230) Batu and Subutai (1236) |
Ghabdulla Chelbir Puresh Purgaz Altun bek |
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| Units involved | |||||||||
| Predominantly horse archers and other cavalry | unknown | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 1223: Less than 20,000, 1229: 20,000 1236: -35,000 |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| unknown, defeated in their first attack | heavy | ||||||||
The Mongol invasion of Volga Bulgaria lasted from 1223 to 1236. The Bulgar State, centered in lower Volga and Kama, was the center of the fur trade in Eurasia throughout most of its history. Before the Mongol conquest, Russians of Novgorod and Vladimir repeatedly looted and attacked the area, thereby weakening the Bulgar state's economy and military power. The latter ambushed the Mongols in the later 1223 or in 1224. Several clashes occurred between 1229–1234, and the Mongol Empire conquered the Bulgars in 1236.
In 1223, after defeating Russian and Cuman/Kipchak armies at the Battle of Kalka, a Mongol army under the generals Subutai and Jebe was sent to subdue Volga Bulgaria. Genghis Khan's troops were seen as invincible at that time. However, in late 1223 (or 1224), the Bulgars may have fought with the Mongols. There is no historical mention except a short account by the Arab historian Ibn al-Athir, writing in Mosul some 1100 miles away from the event. After several sharp skirmishes with the Bulgars, the tiring Mongols moved back down to the Volga. Meanwhile, the Russians continuously attacked the Bulgar State to try to attain supremacy of this wealthy region.
Sent by Ögedei Khan, the Mongols returned in 1229 under the command of Kukday and Bubedey. This force defeated Bulgar frontier guards at the Ural River and occupied the upper Ural valley. In 1232 the Mongol cavalry subjugated the southeastern part of the Bashkiria and occupied southern portions of Volga Bulgaria.
Led by Batu Khan, Mongol forces numbering 25-35,000 invaded Europe in 1236. They besieged and seized Bilär, Bolghar, Suar, Cükätaw, and other cities and castles of Volga Bulgaria. The inhabitants were killed or sold into slavery. Volga Bulgaria became a part of the Ulus Jochi, later known as the Golden Horde. The territory was divided into duchies; later each of them received some autonomy as vassal states of the Golden Horde.
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