Zanskar (Padum)

Zanskar, with Padum as its main town, has a history shaped by extreme isolation, Buddhism and small mountain kingdoms. The valley lies south of Kargil, ringed by high passes that are snowbound for much of the year. For centuries, scattered villages along the Zanskar and Lungnak rivers survived on barley, peas, yak and dzomo herding, and very limited trade. This harsh environment encouraged tight-knit communities and strong monastic centres rather than large cities or forts.

From around the 10th–14th centuries, Zanskar functioned as a small Himalayan kingdom, sometimes independent, sometimes under the influence of Ladakh or neighbouring powers. Old castles and ruined forts on hilltops around Padum hint at this royal past. Over time, Tibetan Buddhism became deeply rooted here; monasteries such as Karsha, Stongdey, Phuktal and Sani emerged as spiritual and cultural anchors, preserving scriptures, art and local law.

Padum, named after the Buddhist figure Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), grew into the administrative and trading centre of the valley. When Ladakh came under Dogra and then British-acknowledged rule, Zanskar was integrated into the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir but remained largely self-contained. Road access arrived only in the late 20th–early 21st century, transforming Padum into a base for trekking, river expeditions and high-altitude tourism, while Zanskar still keeps much of its old, rugged, monastic character.