Hazarian

Hazarian refers to a historical ethno-linguistic group primarily associated with the Khazar Khaganate, a Turkic empire that flourished in the 7th to 10th centuries CE. The Khazars controlled a vast territory in what is now Southern Russia, Western Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and parts of the Caucasus. Their empire was strategically located along major trade routes, connecting Northern Europe with the Byzantine Empire and the Abbasid Caliphate.

The Khazars were known for their religious tolerance and adopted a unique polytheistic system that included Tengrism, with elements of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam influencing their beliefs. A significant portion of the Khazar elite, including the rulers, reportedly converted to Judaism, a development that has been a subject of considerable historical debate and research. This conversion is a defining characteristic often discussed in relation to Khazar identity.

The Khazar language belonged to the Kipchak branch of the Turkic language family. While few direct textual sources in Khazar survive, linguistic evidence suggests it was closely related to other Turkic languages spoken in the region. The decline of the Khazar Khaganate began in the late 10th century, with invasions by Sviatoslav I of Kyiv and subsequent pressures from nomadic groups leading to its eventual collapse. The fate of the Khazar people after the fall of their empire remains a topic of historical inquiry, with theories suggesting assimilation into surrounding populations.