The Khazar Kaganate was a powerful state that existed from the 7th to the 10th centuries in the region around the Caspian Sea and the Volga River. It was established by the Khazars, a Turkic people, and became a significant trade hub connecting Europe and Asia. The Kaganate played a crucial role in the political and economic landscape of the time, influencing various cultures and societies. The Khazars are notable for their conversion to Judaism, making the Kaganate unique among contemporary states, which were predominantly Christian or Muslim. The Kaganate eventually declined due to internal strife and external pressures, particularly from the Kievan Rus and other neighboring powers, leading to its dissolution by the late 10th century.