Balanjar

Balanjar (also Belendzher) was a city in Khazaria near the Caspian Sea, north of the Caucasus. The legendary founder of Balanjar, according to the Arab chroniclers Ibn al-Faqih[?] and Abu al-Fida[?], was named Balanjar ibn Japheth[?]. Until the early 720s, Balanjar served as the capital of Khazaria. The turkish Khazars adopted Judaism.

Around 722 or 723, Arab soldiers headed north and attacked Balanjar. The inhabitants of Balanjar tried to defend their town by fastening 3,000 wagons together and circling them around the key fortress on high terrain. The Khazars were defeated in the attack. The Arabs murdered and enslaved many innocent people, and ultimately the surviving Balanjar residents had to flee to other towns, including Samandar. The victorious Arab army stole much booty and the soldiers received large sums of money.