The Kazan Khanate was a Tatar state that existed from 1438 to 1552, located in the region of modern-day Tatarstan in Russia. It emerged after the decline of the Golden Horde and became a significant center of trade and culture, with its capital at Kazan. The Khanate was known for its diverse population, including Tatars, Bashkirs, and Russians. In 1552, the Kazan Khanate fell to the forces of Ivan the Terrible, marking the end of its independence. This conquest was part of the larger expansion of the Russian Empire, which sought to unify the various territories and peoples under its rule. The fall of Kazan had lasting impacts on the region's demographics and culture.