Page "Balanjar" Paragraph 1

In the 630s CE Balanjar was a capital of the Baranjar state.

Some scholars speculate that the name derives from the Turkic root " Bala " or " Great ", and the clan-name " Endzhar ".

With the rest of the Baranjar domains the city became part of the Khazar Khaganate around 650 ; until the early 720s, Balanjar served as the capital of Khazaria.

During the first Arab-Khazar war in the 650's, a Muslim army under Abd ar-Rahman ibn Rabiah was defeated outside the town ( see Battle of Balanjar ).