Great Bolgar

407 Pages·145.186 MB·English

Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan
Yanarysh-Revival Foundation
Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan
Sh. Mardzhani Institute of History
A. Khalikov Institute of Archaeology
Great Bolgar
Project Research Advisor
Rafael Khakimov, Doctor Habil,
Member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan
Science Editor
Ayrat Sitdikov, Doctor Habil
Publishing editors
Vyacheslav Baranov, Ph.D
Rafael Valeev, Doctor Habil
Iskander Izmailov, Ph.D
Radik Salikhov, Doctor Habil,
Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan
Marina Poluboyarinova, Ph.D
Rafind Sharifullin

CONTENTS
I. Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
II. Bolgar Town in the Medieval World: People, Region, Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1. Sitdikov A.G., Izmailov I.L. Bolgar Town in Culture and History ............................................12
2. Kalutskov V.N., Shulgin P.M. Natural Landscape of Bolgar Settlement .......................................26
3. Starostin P.N. Ancient History of the Volga-Kama Region ................................................40
4. Fakhrutdinov R.G. Bolgar in 10th – 11th centuries ........................................................46
5. Izmailov I.L. Bolgar in the Golden Horde period (second half of 13th – first half of 15th centuries) .......55
6. Khlebnikova T.A. Historical Topography of Bolgar Town ..................................................64
7. Abdullin K.M. Bolgar Town on Maps and Plans of 18th-19th centuries ....................................74
III. Life of the Medieval Town: Trade, Production and Crafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
1. Kirpichnikov A.N. History of Formation and Development of Great Volga Trade Route .....................82
2. Valeev R.M. International Trade Relations of Volga Bolgaria in 10th-14th centuries ......................90
3. Poluboyarinova M.D. Bolgar Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
4. Fedorov-Davydov G.A. Money and Currency ..............................................................114
5. Semykin Y.A. Iron Metallurgy and Metalworking ........................................................124
5a. Savchenkova L.L. Forging Products .....................................................................128
6. Polyakova G.F. Non-Ferrous and Precious Metal Articles .................................................132
7. Khlebnikova T.A. Unglazed Ceramics ....................................................................138
7a. Vasilieva I.N. Ceramic Kilns ............................................................................156
8. Poluboyarinova M.D. Glassware ...........................................................................160
9. Khlebnikova T.A. Tanning ...............................................................................168
10. Zakirova I.A. Bone Carving .............................................................................172
11. Krasnov Y.A. Agriculture ...............................................................................178
12. Petrenko A.G. Cattle Farming ...........................................................................192
IV. Bolgar Town: Fortifications, Architecture and Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
1. Aidarov S.S. Town Planning Culture and Monumental Architecture ......................................198
2. Krasnov Y.A. Defensive Constructions ...................................................................218
3. Baranov V.S. Urban Amenities ...........................................................................228
4. Baranov V.S. Development of Urban Culture ............................................................234
5. Sharifullin R.F. Bathhouses ...............................................................................238
6. Aksenova N.D., Kaveev M.M. , Baranov V.S. Mausoleums .....................................................248
7. Belyaev L.A. The Small Town ............................................................................258
8. Noskova L.M. Architectural Ceramics ....................................................................266
V. Urban Culture of the Volga Region: Spirituality, Writing and Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
1. Izmailov I.L. Islam in Volga Bolgaria ....................................................................270
2. Izmailov I.L. Islam in the Ulus of Jochi ..................................................................276
3. Yablonskiy L.T. Medieval Bolgar Population .............................................................290
4. Khakimzyanov F.S., Izmailov I.L. Language and Writing in Bolgar Town ....................................300
5. Mukhametshin D.G., Khakimzyanov F.S. Inscriptions on Metal Articles ......................................312
6. Mukhametshin D.G., Khakimzyanov F.S. Bolgar Epigraphic Monuments .....................................316
7. Davletshin G.M. Spiritual Culture of Bolgar Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320
8. Valeeva D.K. Art of Bolgar Town ........................................................................330
VI. Historical and Cultural Heritage of Bolgar: Research, Restoration and Preservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
1. Khlebnikova T.A. Archaeological Research of Bolgar Settlement in 1864-1980 ...........................338
2. Sharifullin R.F. Archaeological Research of Bolgar Settlement in 1980-2010 .............................348
3. Sitdikov A.G., Khairutdinov R.R., Makhmutov R.Z. Establishment of Bolgar Reserve ............................352
4. Zabirova F.M. Bolgar Settlement as Part of Regional Historical and Cultural Landscape .................360
5. Valeev R.M. Bolgar. A World Heritage Site ..............................................................374
6. Salikhov R.R., Sitdikov A.G. Bolgar Town: Cultural and Spiritual Renaissance ..............................380
7. Khisamova D.D. Great Bolgar in Fine Arts of Tatarstan ..................................................386
VII. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
Fakhretdinov R.G. Imperishable Memory of the Past .....................................................394
Rustam
Minnikhanov
President
of the Republic
of Tatarstan
Dear readers!
The book “Great Bolgar” compiled by the Republican Foundation for Revival of Historic and Cultural Monuments
of the Tatarstan Republic and the Shigabuddin Marjani Institute of History under the Tatarstan Academy of
Sciences presents to wide audience the centuries of history and unique archaeological and architectural heritage
of Volga Bolgaria and the Golden Horde.
This sacred land is inseparably associated with the formation of national traditions, spirituality and unique culture
of the Tatar people. It was here where in 922 our ancestors adopted Islam, which largely determined the further
development of Tatar civilization. Bolgar was considered one of the largest centres of business and education,
where representatives of various peoples and religions successfully engaged in mutually advantageous trade,
pursued crafts and erected magnificent buildings, astonishing foreigners with their spectacular achievements.
The creative spirit of our ancestors has remained to the present day.
The Tatarstan Republic consistently achieves perspective objectives of socioeconomic and cultural development.
Millennial Kazan – a worthy successor to Great Bolgar – is rapidly changing in appearance, becoming a modern
megalopolis without sacrificing its unique originality. Preservation of historical and cultural heritage is one of
the main priorities of national policy of the Tatarstan Republic. The revival of ancient Bolgar, the island city
of Sviyazhsk, the historical center of Kazan and other important cultural and historical sites is a bright example
of effective public-private partnership, arousing a significant interest in Russia and abroad. Of great importance
in this regard is the support granted by the leadership of the Russian Federation, and personally by President
of Russia Vladimir Putin.
Tatarstan annually hosts major events of Russian and international importance, a special place among which
belongs to “Izge-bolgar-zhyeny”. Thousands of guests from Russia and worldwide come to visit dateless antiquities,
revived mosques and monuments of Bolgar. I hope that this book becomes a wonderful landmark of the great city,
consistently cherishing the memory of ancient history of the multicultural Russian country.
Mintimer
Shaimiev
State counsellor
of the Republic
of Tatarstan
Dear readers!
The town of Bolgar has a special place in Russian and World history. For several centuries the capital
of Volga Bolgaria and largest center of the Golden Horde dwelled at the crossroads of great medieval
civilizations, astounding the contemporaries with developed trade and crafts, wonderful architectural
sites and Muslim enlightenment. It was Bolgar where Islam was adopted by our ancestors as a national
religion, which promoted the development of high culture, imperishable spiritual values and traditions
of the Tatar people.
One can say that Bolgar lives within each citizen of Tatarstan reminding him of glorious achievements
of the past and filling his heart with pride for priceless cultural heritage of the native republic. This is why
the revival of our common heritage in ancient Bolgar and the island city of Sviyazhsk has evoked a keen
response of the widest public, presenting itself as a national program for preservation of historical and
cultural monuments.
The unquestionably dominant asset of this major process is the support by President of the Russian Federation
Vladimir Putin and President of the Tatarstan Republic Rustam Minnikhanov devoting special attention to
the progress of works on renovation and restoration of sacred places in Bolgar and Sviyazhsk.
Studies performed by our scientists with contribution by architects, builders and restorers provide
a conclusive proof that the city of Bolgar remains one of the outstanding sites of world historical and
cultural heritage.
I think that the book “Great Bolgar” based on unique references and latest scientific achievements can
give a thoughtful reader substantial insight of the ancient city, crucial for the understanding of history of
multicultural Russia.
6
GREAT BOLGAR
Preface
A prayer in Bolgar
Not many existing archaeological remains of having increased to 25 hectares by the early 13th
ancient settlements bear witness of the former century. By the middle of the 13th century the
greatness and power and represent the focus of town’s territory had expanded to 400 hectares.
spiritual and cultural values of the contemporary A vast suburban area encircled the fortress
peoples. In this respect, the importance of in all periods of its existence. Aga-Bazar, an
Bolgar in the past and present of global culture international market well known far beyond the
can hardly be overstated, as its monuments are Volga region, was located several kilometres to
A stamping matrix for jewellery.
not lifeless ruins but a living memory of the the west of the town. Its territory is represented
Bronze. Casting. 14th c. Bolgar
millennial history of the Tatars. Here, historical by archaeological sites dating back to the second settlement. Bolgar State Historical
drama unfolded alongside international half of the 1st millennium A.D. related to the and Architectural Reserve
trade and masterpieces created by poets and Pre-Bolgar, Bolgar and later periods, as well as
architects. Bolgar became a living witness and by architectural monuments of the 13th – 14th
true reflection of the great past of the Turkic- centuries including the Cathedral Mosque,
Muslim civilization of the Volga region. Eastern and Northern mausoleums, Khan’s
Bolgar settlement is located in Spassky Tomb, Small Minaret, Black Chamber, White
district of the Republic of Tatarstan on the left Chamber, Khan’s Bathhouse and a number of
bank of the Volga 30 kilometres below the mouth other sites.
of the Kama. It is a vast settlement surrounded Historical Bolgar town, the remains of
by a rampart over 5 kilometres in length, its which are located on the site of ancient Bolgar
shape resembling a southward projecting settlement, is the oldest centre of Volga Bolgaria
triangle. The area of the fortified part of the site that later became the first capital of the Ulus of
changed over time. In the 10th – the first half Jochi (the Golden Horde). Thus, at the example
of the 11th centuries it occupied 12 hectares, of this site one can trace the entire millennial
7
V.G. Shaykhetdinov. Reflections by A memorial sign commemorating
the Cathedral mosque. Canvas. Oil. 1996 the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bolgars
history of the Tatars and their ancestors from in 922. Opened on May 21, 2012
the dawn of civilization to the present day.
Particular attention is paid to this site, as it broadening our understanding of the medieval
represents the essence of the entire Tatar history past. The number of written works created
in all its complexity and diversity. It combines the over the period of two and a half centuries of
Turkic language and the Arabic alphabet, pagan studying Bolgar ruins is immense. Moreover,
traditions and deep Muslim faith originating in their number continues to grow as a result of
the 10th century with its Bolgar foundation and new discoveries.
Tatar contribution, local character of its towns The foundation of Bolgar can be dated
and worldwide trade relations. The intersection back to the early 10th century. The early Bolgar
of these trends and dilemmas has witnessed period witnessed the completion of transition of
intermixing and absorption of numerous Bolgar population to settled lifestyle similar to
traditions and emergence of medieval ethnic Saltovo-Mayaki towns, as well as the beginning
groups, laying a deep foundation of the modern of town formation in the Middle Volga region.
Tatar people and facilitating the research and It was the first urban settlement to arise in the
comprehension of this unique historical and area of another settlement situated on a large
cultural phenomenon. Keen interest in the international trade route in the region of fertile
historical issues of Volga Bolgaria is a testimony land and rich meadows. It was a trading centre
of its critical importance in the medieval with international relations along the Volga and
history of the region and its significance for our Kama Rivers, a political centre of the emerging
contemporaries. feudal state and an economic centre of vast
The research of Bolgar antiquities was agricultural and livestock regions. As a trading
initiated by Peter the Great in the period of early and political centre it attracted merchants
establishment of national science. The interest and craftsmen, and promptly earned wide
in Bolgar monuments has not decreased since recognition in international trade as a town on
then, but on the contrary, continues to grow. the Volga River which al-Balkhi compared with
The number and quality of research works is Kiev at the beginning of the 10th century.
increasing, and today historical research attracts The initial stage of Bolgar Town’s formation
more and more natural historians, enhancing and was largely related to its crucial location on