Purgaz

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Purgaz or Inäzor Purgaz (Erzya: Пургаз (Инязор Пургаз), Russian: Пургас, Purgas) was an Erzya Mordvin leader in the first half of the 13th century. He was a prince (inäzor) of Erzyan Principality of Purgaz. Being an ally of the Volga Bulgaria, he resisted Suzdal Russia's expansion to the region.

Purgaz was named in the Russian chronicles several times. In January, 1229 his army repulsed a raid of the Russian princes Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, Vasily Konstantinovich and Vsevolod Konstantinovich. Then Purgaz defeated another Mordvin prince, Puresh. In April, 1229 he tried to regain from Russians Nizhny Novgorod, former Erzyan Obran Osh. His troops burned suburbs, but the citadel stayed safe. Several month later he was defeated by Puresh.

In summer 1237 he successfully resisted to the Mongols, but in autumn-winter 1238-1239 he was defeated.

It's known that during the rule of Purgaz Russian peasant fled to his principality.