and economy of their European neighbours, whereas eastern Buryats maintained closer ties to other Mongolic peoples, Buddhism and Asian civilisations.

The territory of Buryatia has been governed by the Xiongnu Empire (209 BC - 93 CE), the Mongolian Xianbei state (93-234), the Rouran Khaganate (330-555), the First Turkic Khaganate (552-603), the Eastern Turkic Khaganate