Ladakh:The UT at a Glance [GK 2024]

Table of Contents

Ladakh at a Glance

Formation as a Union Territory	31 October 2019
Capitals	Leh Kargil
Area	59,146 km²
Highest elevation	Saltoro Kangri – 7,742 m
Lowest elevation	Indus River – 2,550 m
Population (2011)	274,289
Population Density	4.6/km²
Official Languages	Hindi English
Regional Languages	Ladakhi, Purgi, Shina, and Balti

Ladakh is a union territory of India that constitutes a part of the larger Kashmir region.
Earlier Part of Jammu and Kashmir State: Earlier Ladakh was part of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state.
Union Territory Status in 2019: It became a union territory of India on 31 October 2019, following the enactment of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act by the Parliament.
Geographic Borders:
- East: Ladakh is bordered by the Tibet Autonomous Region.
- South: The Indian state of Himachal Pradesh lies to the south.
- West: It borders the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir union territory and the Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan.
- North: The southwestern corner of Xinjiang lies to the north.
Size and Population: It is the largest and the second least populous union territory of India.
The Aksai Chin plain in the northeastern part which has been under Chinese control since 1962 is claimed by the Indian Government as part of Ladakh.
The largest town in Ladakh is Leh.
Culturally and historically the region is closely related to Tibet.

Maryul: Ancient Name of Ladakh

Maryul was one of the ancient names used for the region now known as Ladakh. The term “Maryul” means “low land” as the region was lower as compared to Tibet.
During ancient times, Ladakh, or Maryul, was inhabited by the Brokpa people, believed to have come from Dadarstan.

Early Historical References and Kushan Empire Influence (1st Century CE)

The earliest known historical evidence of Ladakh dates back to the 1st century CE when the region was part of the Kushan Empire.
Inscriptions in Kharosthi script found near the Khalatse Bridge on the Indus River suggest that Ladakh was under the influence of the Kushans.

7th Century: Account of Xuanzang

Xuanzang, the Chinese Buddhist monk, travelled through the region in 634 CE, providing one of the earliest detailed descriptions of Ladakh’s geography. He described the rugged, mountainous terrain and the Buddhist faith practised by its people.

Tibetan Suzerainty and Regional Conflicts (8th Century)

As Tibetan power grew, Ladakh came under firm Tibetan influence.
However, the region experienced significant conflict, particularly in 737 CE, when Tibetans launched an attack on the neighbouring kingdom of Bru-za (Gilgit), consolidating their dominance in the area.
By the mid-8th century, Tibetan control was challenged by Chinese campaigns aimed at re-establishing trade routes, but after the defeat of Chinese forces at the Battle of Talas (751 CE), Tibetan influence resumed over Ladakh.

9th Century: Foundation of the First Ladakhi Dynasty

In 842 CE, after the collapse of the Tibetan Empire, Nyima-Gon, a representative of the Tibetan royal family, founded the first Ladakhi dynasty.
Ladakh underwent a process of Tibetanization, which shaped the region’s demographics and culture. The predominant racial strain became Tibetan, with local customs merging into the larger Tibetan influence.
This was also a period of significant Buddhist influence, with the Second Spreading of Buddhism into Ladakh, focusing on integrating the local Bon religion and Buddhist teachings.

12th to 13th Century: Islamic Invasions and Tibetan Influence

By the 12th century, Ladakh was still an important centre of Buddhism, with local rulers looking to India, particularly Kashmir, for religious and cultural guidance.
In the 13th century, Islamic invasions from Central Asia began, leading to frequent raids that weakened Ladakh’s political stability. As a result, Ladakh gradually began to seek religious and political guidance from Tibet rather than India.
The region saw the partial conversion of its population to Islam due to these external pressures.

15th Century: Formation of the Namgyal Dynasty

During the 15th century, Lhachen Bhagan, a ruler from Basgo, reunited Ladakh by overthrowing the king of Leh, and he established the Namgyal Dynasty.
Under the Namgyal kings, Ladakh witnessed a revival in political power and cultural achievements, including the construction of several Buddhist monasteries and the famous Leh Palace.
Sengge Namgyal (1616–1642), one of the most notable kings of this dynasty, is remembered for his ambitious building projects, including the Hemis Monastery, and for moving the royal capital from Shey to Leh.

17th Century

Ladakh came into conflict with the Mughal Empire, which was expanding its reach into Kashmir and surrounding regions.
During this period, Islam continued to spread in Ladakh, as Muslim missionaries from Central Asia settled in the region.

19th Century: Dogra Invasion and British Rule

In 1834, General Zorawar Singh, under the command of Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu, invaded Ladakh.
The ruling Namgyal king was deposed, and Ladakh became part of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir under Dogra rule. Despite the annexation, Ladakh retained some degree of autonomy, and trade with Tibet continued.
The Dogra–Tibetan War (1841–42) saw an unsuccessful attempt by Tibet, supported by Ladakhi forces, to reclaim the region. After this, Ladakh was firmly under Dogra control, but the Namgyal family continued to hold the Stok Palace, which remains their residence today.

20th Century: Modern Conflicts and Political Changes

After India’s independence in 1947, Ladakh became part of the newly-formed Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ladakh saw significant conflict during the 1947–48 Indo-Pakistani War, when Pakistani raiders occupied parts of the region, including Kargil. Indian forces successfully recaptured most of the territory.
Ladakh was also affected by the Sino-Indian War (1962), during which China occupied the Aksai Chin region, a disputed area between India and China.

Post-Independence Developments

In 1949, China closed Ladakh’s border with Tibet, severing the ancient trade routes and ending a 700-year relationship between Ladakh and Tibet.
Ladakh continued to play a crucial role in Indo-Pakistani conflicts, with Kargil becoming a key battleground during the Kargil War of 1999.
In 1989, tensions between Buddhist and Muslim communities led to violent clashes. This prompted the Indian government to establish the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) in 1995, granting Ladakh a degree of self-governance.

2019: Ladakh Becomes a Union Territory

In February 2019, Ladakh was granted its own administrative division, separate from the Kashmir division.
In August 2019, the Indian Parliament passed a reorganization act, which made Ladakh a Union Territory, separate from Jammu and Kashmir, effective from October 31, 2019.
Unlike Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh does not have its own legislature but is governed directly by the Central Government of India through a Lieutenant Governor. The existing Autonomous Hill Councils continue to manage local affairs in the Leh and Kargil districts.