In this article, we provide detailed information about the geography, history, population, and top tourist attractions of Ladakh. Ladakh, often called the “Land of High Passes,” is a truly magical place, tucked away between the mighty Himalayas and Karakoram Range in northern India. With its stunning landscapes of snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear lakes like Pangong Tso, and vast, barren deserts, it feels like another world. The serenity of the region, combined with its vibrant Tibetan Buddhist culture, makes it an unforgettable destination. Whether you’re wandering through the peaceful streets of Leh, exploring the ancient Hemis Monastery, or trekking through the rugged mountains, Ladakh offers a peaceful yet adventurous escape into nature’s raw beauty.
| About: | Ladakh is an Indian union territory administrated by India and an eastern segment of the larger Kashmir area which India and Pakistan have disputed over since 1947 and, subsequently, over India and China since 1959. Towards the east is Tibet, and on the south lies the Indian State of Himachal Pradesh. On the western side lie both the India-administrated union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan. And far north, crossing over the Karakoram Pass is the South-western edge of the Xinjiang. It extends from the Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram range to the north to the main Great Himalayas to the south. The eastern end, consisting of the uninhabited Aksai Chin plains, is claimed by the Indian Government as part of Ladakh, but has been under Chinese control. |
| History: | Leh (Ladakh) was known in the past by different names. It was called Maryul or low land by some Kha- chumpa by others. Fa-Hein referred to it as Kia-Chha and Hiuen Tsang as Ma-Lo-Pho. It is said that the first Immigrants to this land appears to have been the Brokpas from Dadarstan who inhabited the lower reaches of the Indus Valley popularly known as Sham. Another wave of Immigrants who came from Karja (Kulu) were the Mons an Aryan type who first settled in Gya and spread to Rong, Shayok, Sakti Tangtse and Durbuk, the area extending from Martselang to Khaltsi. Gia was the seat of government of the first Mon ruler having been elected by the whole tribe. His kingdom included the villages mentioned above, all of which was inhabited by the Mons people He was known by the title Gyapacho, derived from his being the master of Gia. The ancient inhabitants of Ladakh were Dards, an Indo- Aryan race. Immigrants of Tibet, Skardo and nearby parts like Purang, Guge settled in Ladakh, whose racial characters and cultures were in consonance with early settlers. Buddhism traveled from central India to Tibet via Ladakh leaving its imprint in Ladakh. Islamic missionaries also made a peaceful penetration of Islam in the early 16th century. German Moravian Missionaries having cognizance of East India Company also made inroads towards conversion but with little success. In the 10th century AD, Skit Lde Nemagon, the ruler of Tibet, invaded Ladakh where there was no central authority. The lands divided in small principalities were at war with each other. Nemagon defeated them one by one and established a strong kingdom at Shey, 15 Kms from Leh, as its capital. Ladakh was an independent country since the middle of the 10th century. King Singge Namgyal had consolidated the Ladakhi Empire into a strong kingdom. He was not only a strong monarch but a statesman, a diplomat and a builder. He built the historic 9- storeyed Leh palace and made the other neighboring countries envy of such an elegant palace. He also promoted horse polo in Ladakh. In the ancient times the present Leh district was a part of Greater Ladakh spread over from Kailash Mansarover to Swaat (Dardistan). The Greater Ladakh was neither under the Domain of Tibet or its influence. Not much information is available about the ancient History of Ladakh. However, reference about the place and its neighbourhood in Arab, Chinese and Mongolian histories gives an idea that in the 7th Century A.D fierce wars were fought by Tibet and China in Baltistan area of the Greater Ladakh in which deserts and barren mountains of Ladakh was turned into battle fields for the warring armies. |
| Geography: | District Leh lies about roughly between 32 to 36 degree north Latitude and 75 to 80 degree East longitude and altitude ranging from 2300 mtrs to 5000 mtrs above sea level. District Leh with an area of 45100 Sq. Kms. makes it one of the largest District in the country. The District is bounded by Pakistan occupied Kashmir in the west and China in the North and eastern part and Lahul Spiti of Himachal Pardesh in the south east. It is at a distance of 434 Kms from State capital (Summer) Srinagar and 474 Kms from Manali (HP). Topographically, the entire district is mountainous with three parallel ranges of the Himalayas, the Zanskar, the Ladakh and the Karakoram. Between these ranges, the Shayok, Indus and Zanskar rivers flow and most of the population lives in valleys of these rivers. |
| Administering state : | India |
| Union territory: | 31 October 2019 |
| Language: | Hindi and English |
| Population: | 274,289 (2011) |
| Literacy rate: | Literacy rate of Leh Ladakh city is 90.29 % higher than state average of 67.16 %. In Leh Ladakh, Male literacy is around 94.89 % while female literacy rate is 78.85 %. |
| Major Attractions to Visit: | Tsomoriri Lake Lamayuru Landscape Lamayuru – The Moonscape for Tourist Pangong Lake Nubra Valley Magnetic Hill |
