The Little Tibet of India – Ladakh

Known as the land of high passes, Ladakh is one of the most frequently visited tourist destinations in India, with the surrounding Kunlun mountain range and Himalayan valleys to explore. Ladakh borders The Chinese Xinjiang Region to the north and Tibet to the east and is very sparsely inhabited over 9,800 ft above the mean sea level (MSL).
Ladakh has been through the struggle from time immemorial and is still under acute military vigilance. During the 8^th century, Tibetan and Chinese invasions, resulted in the, annexation of Ladakh into a new Tibetan dynasty that a royal Nyima-Gon established in the year 842. During the 13^th century Islamic conquest from neighbouring Muslim countries resulted in Muslim population. During the 1947 Partition, Ladakh became a war zone and in 1949, China shut down all the trade routes with Ladakh.
Though Ladakh is mainly a high altitude snow desert, it still has a sparse vegetation growing according to its climate. Apricots, apples, walnuts, mulberries and poplars are usually found in the sufficient water regions. Wildlife is abundant and innumerable species of migratory birds come in summers to make Ladakh their temporary abode, robins and hoopoes are frequently seen and the unique black necked crane is amongst the endangered species. Asiatic Ibex, a mountain goat and Kiang, the Tibetan wild ass along with yaks are the most popular animals amongst the Ladakh wildlife.
The culture of Tibet has a huge influence on Ladakh’s dietary habits, art, music and even sports. The noodles, Thukpa, Tsampa and the roasted barley flour are the commonly cooked dishes and the green tea is the traditional beverage. The butter tea (originally from Tibet), is the most preferable drink mixed with salt.
Leh, the largest town in Ladakh, has a huge Buddhist population, highest in the entire South Asia and hence the architecture is closely influenced by the Buddhist Gompas & monasteries and elevated housing structures with wooden roofs and ceilings. The festivals and its music is derived from the Sanskrit and Tibetan language and style, with lots of chantings and folk stories involved. Embroidery and weaving is the usual occupation and routine of the people, where both males and females contribute. Though educated people often speak Hindi and Urdu and because of booming Tourism Industry, the use of English is essential. The traditional language Ladakhi, a Tibetan language, also known as Bhoti, is studied as Western Archaic Tibetan.
The dressing style of the people are also quite similar to that of the Tibetan dressing. The Gonchas of Ladakh is very similar to the Chubas of Tibet. Made of bright, colorful and heavy woolen fabric for extreme cold weather, worn with a knitted round Balti cap with a rolled brim is quite modest in appearance. The turquoise stones in the hat and the silver jewelery are also worn during the festive occasions.
From the style of living, to constructing houses, from celebrating festivals to wearing casual clothes, from food to language, the culture of Ladakh and Tibet are so influenced from each other and intertwined, that Ladakh is also often referred to as The Little Tibet of India.