Kargil: Difference between revisions

Kargil
Kargil
Town and municipality
	Tourist Facilitation Centre at Bemathang, Kargil, Ladakh.
	Kargil in the Ladakh region of the Indian-administered Kashmir (in tan)
	Coordinates: 34°33′34″N 76°07′32″E / 34.5594°N 76.1256°E
Administrating country	India
Union territory	Ladakh
District	Kargil
Tehsil	Kargil
Government
• Type	Municipality
• Body	Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil
Area
• Total	2.14 km2 (0.83 sq mi)
Elevation	2,676 m (8,780 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	16,338
• Density	7,600/km2 (20,000/sq mi)
Others
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	194103
Vehicle registration	LA 01
Official languages	English, Hindu, Ladakhi, Purigi, Urdu
Website	kargil.nic.in

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Latest revision as of 03:34, 17 March 2026

Kargil (en KAR-ghil, hi) or Kargyil^[4]^[5] is a city in Indian-administered Ladakh in the disputed Kashmir region.^[6] It is the joint capital of Ladakh, an Indian-administered union territory, and the headquarters of the Kargil district. It is the second-largest urban centre in Ladakh after Leh.^[7] Kargil is located 204 kilometres (127 mi) east of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, and 234 kilometres (145 mi) to the west of Leh. It is on the bank of the Suru River near its confluence with the Wakha Rong River, the latter providing the most accessible route to Leh.^[8]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The Ladakh Chronicles spell the name of Kargil as Wylie: dkar skyil, THL: kar kyil.^[9] The word can be interpreted as meaning a bright or wholesome expanse.^[10] Modern newspapers are said to spell the name as Wylie: dkar `khyil, THL: kar khyil.^[11] It can also be interpreted as a bright or wholesome mountainous amphitheatre.^[12] This phrase occurs often in Tibetan literature.

The Kargil basin does give the feel of an expanse surrounded by low-pitched mountains, with the low Khurbathang plateau at the southeastern corner. This is in sharp contrast to the deep gorges that give access to the valley.^[8]^[13]

The people of Kargil, however, relate the name to Khar (fort) and rkil (centre) and interpret it as a central place among many forts. Radhika Gupta has opined that it is a fitting description for a place that is equidistant from Srinagar, Leh and Skardu.^[14]

Location[edit | edit source]

Location of Kargil with respect to Kashmir, Baltistan and Leh

Kargil is located at the confluence of multiple river valleys:

the Suru River valley to the north and south,
the Wakha Rong valley to the southeast leading to Leh, and
the Sod Valley to the east leading to the Indus Valley near Batalik.

In addition, at a short distance to the north, the Dras River valley^{[lower-alpha 1]} branches off from the Suru valley leading to the Zoji La pass in the west and Kashmir Valley beyond. Further north along the Suru valley, one reaches the Indus valley, leading to Skardu. Thus, Kargil is located at a key junction of routes between Kashmir, Ladakh and Baltistan.

The normal trade route between Leh and Skardu also ran via Kargil, using the Wakha Rong and Suru valleys. Even though both the towns are on the bank of the Indus River, the latter's narrow gorge between Marol and Dah was not easily traversable prior to the modern period.^[8]^[15]

After the Partition of India and the First Kashmir War, Baltistan came under the control of Pakistan. The Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan-administered Kashmir is roughly 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) to the north of Kargil. The peak known as Point 13620, which overlooks the Kargil town and the Srinagar–Leh Highway, remained in Pakistani control at the end of this conflict. During the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, Indian forces pushed the Line of Control north of the ridgeline, ensuring Kargil's security. A key village called Hunderman came under Indian control as a result of this push.^[16]^[17]

History[edit | edit source]

The Sod Valley had a strong fort called Sod Pasari (Wylie: sod pa sa ri, now known as Pasar Khar) by the 16th or 17th century. It controlled "Lower Purig", including the Sod Valley, the lower portion of Wakha Rong and, likely the Kargil basin itself.^[18]^[19] By the 18th or 19h century, it also had a sub-branch at Pashkum^{[lower-alpha 2]} (Wylie: pas kyum) southeast of Kargil town in the Wakha Rong valley.^[19]

Dogra period[edit | edit source]

During Zorawar Singh's invasion of Ladakh in 1834, the Dogras attacked both the forts Sod Pasari and Pashkum, and destroyed them.^[20]^[21] Afterwards, Zorawar Singh built a fort at Kargil,^[22] and stationed a Kardar (administrator), with the charge of the Kargil region as well as Drass. In 1838, the people of the region revolted against the Dogras and killed the kardar as well as entire garrison stationed at Kargil.^[23]^[24]

In 1840, after another rebellion in Ladakh, Zorawar Singh deposed the Gyalpo of Ladakh and annexed the kingdom. He also decided to invade Baltistan which had assisted the Gyalpo in rebellion.^[25] On the way to Baltistan, he made a detour to Sod, routed the rebels and annexed the whole of Purig. He appointed kardars for Dras and Suru.^[26]^{[lower-alpha 3]}

After Zorawar Singh's death in Tibet, there was another rebellion in Ladakh and Purig with the support of the Tibetan forces. But Dogras sent fresh forces under Wazir Lakhpat, who beat back the Tibetans and reestablished status quo ante. On returning, the Wazir garrisoned the Kargil fort and took all the Rajas of the region as prisoners.^[27]

Alexander Cunningham described the Kargil fort in 1854 as a square of about sixty yards on the left bank of the Suru River immediately above its junction with Wakha Rong. It was able to defend the bridge over the Suru River and completely command the Kashmir–Ladakh road.^[28]

In 1854, there were three ilaqas (subdistricts) in the present day Kargil district, at Kargil, Dras and Zanskar respectively. They were headed by civil officers called Thanadars.^[29] During the reign of Pratap Singh, a wazarat (district) was established for all the frontier regions (including Gilgit), and Kargil was made a tehsil of the wazarat. Sometime later, Gilgit was separated, and Kargil, Skardu and Leh made up the Ladakh wazarat. The district headquarters shifted between the three locations each year.^[30]

Importance to central Asian trade route[edit | edit source]

In historical times, Ladakh was a busy entrepôt for Silk Route trade between Central and South Asia. Both Leh and Kargil benefitted from the trade between South and Central Asia as posts and halting places on the caravan routes from Srinagar to Leh, and on to Central Asia until the mid-20th century. During the colonial period, the significance of this trade route in Kargil town manifested in the form of a serai, a rest-house, and post and telegraph offices. The small wooden shops and large emporiums of Kargil's small bazaar offered matches, kerosine oil, several varieties of sugar and tea, cotton cloth from Bombay and Manchester, and cheap glass and tinsel ornaments.^[7]

Independent India[edit | edit source]

The First Kashmir War (1947–48) concluded with a ceasefire line that divided the Ladakh wazarat, putting roughly the Kargil and Leh tehsils on the Indian side, and the Skardu tehsil on the Pakistan side. The two Indian tehsils were soon promoted to districts and Ladakh was named a division, on a par with the Jammu and Kashmir divisions in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan renamed the Skardu tehsil Baltistan and divided it into further districts.

At the end of Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the two nations signed the Simla Agreement, converting the former ceasefire line with some adjustments into a Line of Control, and promising not to engage in armed conflict with respect to that boundary.^[31]

Rangdum village of Kargil enroute Zanskar from Kargil town.

In 1999, the area saw infiltration by Pakistani forces, leading to the Kargil War. Fighting occurred along a 160 km long stretch of ridges overlooking the only road linking Srinagar and Leh.^[32] The military outposts on the ridges above the highway were generally around 5,000 m (16,400 ft) high, with a few as high as 5,485 m (17,995 ft). After several months of fighting and diplomatic activity, the Pakistani forces were forced to withdraw to their side of the Line of Control by their Prime minister Nawaz Sharif after he visited the United States.^[33]

Geography[edit | edit source]

Kargil has an average elevation of 2,676 m (8,780 ft), and is situated along the banks of the Suru River. The town of Kargil is located 205 km (127 mi) from Srinagar,^[34] facing Gilgit-Baltistan across the LoC. Like other areas in the Himalayas, Kargil has a temperate climate. Summers are hot with cool nights, while winters are long and chilly with temperatures often dropping below −20 °C (−4 °F).^[35]

Demographics[edit | edit source]

As per the 2011 census, Kargil had a population of 16,338 individuals, an increase from the population of 10,657 recorded in the 2001 census.^[1]^[2] The population increased almost ten times from the 1961 census when 1,681 persons were recorded. The proportion of urban population in the Kargil district concomitantly increased from 3.7% to 11.6%.^{[lower-alpha 4]}^[7] As of 2011, the population consisted of 10,082 males and 6,256 females. Majority (70%) of the population belonged to Scheduled Tribes. The town had a literacy rate of 83.6%.^[1]^[2]

An old man of Kargil in traditional attire.

Islam is the largest religion followed by over 77% of the adherents, followed by Hinduism adhered to by 19.2% of the population. Sikhism (2.2%), Buddhism (0.5%) and Christianity (0.4%) are other minor religions.^[36] English, Hindi, Ladakhi, Purgi, and Urdu are declared official languages in the territory.^[3] Other spoken languages include Balti, Shina, Zanskari, and other Dardic languages.^[37]

Transportation[edit | edit source]

Kargil is located on national highway NH 1 connecting Srinagar to Leh.^[38] NH 301 extends from the junction with NH 1 in Kargil and extends to Zanskar.^[39] The highways connecting Kargil to Srinagar and Zanskar are often blocked by snow from during winter.^[40]^[41] NH 1 from Kargil to Dras and Leh also experiences temporary blockages due to adverse weather.^[42]^[43] Government operated buses provide local connectivity, and also connect Kargil with other towns.^[44]^[45]^[37] The Kargil-Skardu road earlier linked Kargil to Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. It has been closed since the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948.^[46]^[47]^[48]

View of Kargil airport from Choskore La.

Kargil Airport was built in 1996 for civilian operations.^[49]^[50] The operational control was later transferred to the Indian Air Force.^[51]^[52] The air force operates seasonal flights that carry cargo and transport civilians during the winter.^[53] The nearest major airports are the Leh Airport with regular domestic flights and the Srinagar International Airport.^[37] Srinagar railway station is the nearest railway station from the town, and has limited railway services.^[54] The nearest major railhead is the Jammu Tawi railway station located about 440 km (270 mi) from the town.^[37]

Media and communications[edit | edit source]

State owned public broadcaster All India Radio operates an AM radio station at Kargil.^[55]

Notes[edit | edit source]

↑ The Dras River is also referred to as Shingo River by some authors. The latter flows from Pakistan-administered Baltistan and joins the Dras River a few miles upstream from Kargil. Both the names are used for the combined river.
↑ Alternative spellings: Pashkyum and Paskyum.
↑ These two were probably in addition to a Kardar at Kargil. As noted by Cunningham, three garrison forts at the three locations were present when the British came to the scene.^[22]
↑ During the same period, the population of the Kargil district tripled from 45,064 to 140,802.

References[edit | edit source]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 "Kargil". Citypopulation.de. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 District Census Handbook: Kargil (PDF). Directorate of Census Operations (Report). 2011. pp. 22–23.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 "President Murmu promulgates Ladakh Official Languages Regulation 2025". All India Radio. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
↑ Cunningham, Ladak (1854), p. 148.
↑ Kerin, Melissa R. (2015). Art and Devotion at a Buddhist Temple in the Indian Himalaya. Indiana University Press. p. 206, note 53. ISBN 978-0-253-01309-5.
↑ The application of the term "administered" to the various regions of Kashmir and a mention of the Kashmir dispute is supported by the tertiary sources (a) through (e), reflecting due weight in the coverage. Although "controlled" and "held" are also applied neutrally to the names of the disputants or to the regions administered by them, as evidenced in sources (h) through (i) below, "held" is also considered politicized usage, as is the term "occupied," (see (j) below).
(a) Kashmir, region Indian subcontinent, Encyclopaedia Britannica, retrieved 15 August 2019 (subscription required) Quote: "Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcontinent ... has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The northern and western portions are administered by Pakistan and comprise three areas: Azad Kashmir, Gilgit, and Baltistan, the last two being part of a territory called the Northern Areas. Administered by India are the southern and southeastern portions, which constitute the state of Jammu and Kashmir but are slated to be split into two union territories.";
(b) Pletcher, Kenneth, Aksai Chin, Plateau Region, Asia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, retrieved 16 August 2019 (subscription required) Quote: "Aksai Chin, Chinese (Pinyin) Aksayqin, portion of the Kashmir region, at the northernmost extent of the Indian subcontinent in south-central Asia. It constitutes nearly all the territory of the Chinese-administered sector of Kashmir that is claimed by India to be part of the Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir state.";
(c) "Kashmir", Encyclopedia Americana, Scholastic Library Publishing, 2006, p. 328, ISBN 978-0-7172-0139-6 C. E Bosworth, University of Manchester Quote: "KASHMIR, kash'mer, the northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent, administered partlv by India, partly by Pakistan, and partly by China. The region has been the subject of a bitter dispute between India and Pakistan since they became independent in 1947";
(d) Osmańczyk, Edmund Jan (2003), Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements: G to M, Taylor & Francis, pp. 1191–, ISBN 978-0-415-93922-5 Quote: "Jammu and Kashmir: Territory in northwestern India, subject to a dispute between India and Pakistan. It has borders with Pakistan and China."
(e) Talbot, Ian (2016), A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas, Yale University Press, pp. 28–29, ISBN 978-0-300-19694-8 Quote: "We move from a disputed international border to a dotted line on the map that represents a military border not recognized in international law. The line of control separates the Indian and Pakistani administered areas of the former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir.";
(f) Skutsch, Carl (2015) [2007], "China: Border War with India, 1962", in Ciment, James (ed.), Encyclopedia of Conflicts Since World War II (2nd ed.), London and New York: Routledge, p. 573, ISBN 978-0-7656-8005-1, The situation between the two nations was complicated by the 1957–1959 uprising by Tibetans against Chinese rule. Refugees poured across the Indian border, and the Indian public was outraged. Any compromise with China on the border issue became impossible. Similarly, China was offended that India had given political asylum to the Dalai Lama when he fled across the border in March 1959. In late 1959, there were shots fired between border patrols operating along both the ill-defined McMahon Line and in the Aksai Chin.
(g) Clary, Christopher (30 March 2024), The Difficult Politics of Peace: Rivalry in Modern South Asia, Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, p. 109, ISBN 9780197638408, Territorial Dispute: The situation along the Sino-Indian frontier continued to worsen. In late July (1959), an Indian reconnaissance patrol was blocked, "apprehended," and eventually expelled after three weeks in custody at the hands of a larger Chinese force near Khurnak Fort in Aksai Chin. ... Circumstances worsened further in October 1959, when a major class at Kongka Pass in eastern Ladakh led to nine dead and ten captured Indian border personnel, making it by far the most serious Sino-Indian class since India's independence.
(h) Bose, Sumantra (2009), Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths to Peace, Harvard University Press, pp. 294, 291, 293, ISBN 978-0-674-02855-5 Quote: "J&K: Jammu and Kashmir. The former princely state that is the subject of the Kashmir dispute. Besides IJK (Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir. The larger and more populous part of the former princely state. It has a population of slightly over 10 million, and comprises three regions: Kashmir Valley, Jammu, and Ladakh.) and AJK ('Azad" (Free) Jammu and Kashmir. The more populous part of Pakistani-controlled J&K, with a population of approximately 2.5 million.), it includes the sparsely populated "Northern Areas" of Gilgit and Baltistan, remote mountainous regions which are directly administered, unlike AJK, by the Pakistani central authorities, and some high-altitude uninhabitable tracts under Chinese control."
(i) Fisher, Michael H. (2018), An Environmental History of India: From Earliest Times to the Twenty-First Century, Cambridge University Press, p. 166, ISBN 978-1-107-11162-2 Quote: "Kashmir’s identity remains hotly disputed with a UN-supervised “Line of Control” still separating Pakistani-held Azad (“Free”) Kashmir from Indian-held Kashmir.";
(j) Snedden, Christopher (2015), Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris, Oxford University Press, p. 10, ISBN 978-1-84904-621-3 Quote:"Some politicised terms also are used to describe parts of J&K. These terms include the words 'occupied' and 'held'."
↑ ^7.0 ^7.1 ^7.2 Altaf Hussain; Susanne Schmidt; Marcus Nüsser (2023). "Dynamics of Mountain Urbanisation: Evidence from the Trans-Himalayan Town of Kargil, Ladakh, India". Land. 12 (4): 920. Bibcode:2023Land...12..920H. doi:10.3390/land12040920. ISSN 2073-445X.
↑ ^8.0 ^8.1 ^8.2 Rizvi, Ladakh: Crossroads of High Asia (1996), pp. 19–20.
↑ Francke, August Hermann (1926). Antiquities of Indian Tibet, Part 2. Calcutta: Superintendent Government Printing. p. 128 – via archive.org.
↑ THL Tibetan to English Translation Tool, The Tibetan & Himalayan Library. Term: "dkar skyil".
↑ Martin, Dan (1991), The Emergence of Bon and the Tibetan Polemical Tradition, Indiana University, p. 280, note 128; See also Gyeltsen, Jamyang (2020), dgon rabs kun gsal nyi snang / དགོན་རབས་ཀུན་གསལ་ཉི་སྣང་།, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, p. xx, ISBN 9789390752270
↑ THL Tibetan to English Translation Tool, The Tibetan & Himalayan Library. Term: "dkar 'khyil".
↑ View of the Kargil valley from the north, Google Maps, retrieved 17 January 2023.
↑ Radhika Gupta, Allegiance and Alienation (2013), p. 49.
↑ Rizvi, Janet; Kakpori, G. M. (Summer 1988), "Lost kingdoms of the gold-digging ants (Review of L'or des fourmis: La découverte de l'Eldorado grec au Tibet by Michel Peissel)", India International Centre Quarterly, 15 (2): 131–147, JSTOR 23002056
↑ Krishna Rao, K. V. (1991), Prepare or Perish: A Study of National Security, Lancer Publishers, p. 221, ISBN 978-81-7212-001-6
↑ Naseer Ganai, Unlocking History: Hunderman's Transformation From Rock Dwellings To A Museum Village, Outlook, 7 February 2024.
↑ Francke, A History of Western Tibet (1907), p. 103.
↑ ^19.0 ^19.1 Devers, Quentin (2020), "Buddhism before the First Diffusion? The case of Tangol, Dras, Phikhar and Sani-Tarungtse in Purig and Zanskar (Ladakh)", Études Mongoles & Sibériennes, Centrasiatiques & Tibétaines, 51 (51), doi:10.4000/emscat.4226, S2CID 230579183
↑ Cunningham, Ladak (1854), pp. 334–335.
↑ Francke, Antiquities of Indian Tibet, Part 2 (1926), pp. 128–129.
↑ ^22.0 ^22.1 Cunningham, Ladak (1854), pp. 281–282.
↑ Charak, General Zorawar Singh (1983), p. 43.
↑ Handa, Buddhist Western Himalaya (2001), p. 191.
↑ Charak, General Zorawar Singh (1983), p. 45.
↑ Charak, General Zorawar Singh (1983), p. 50.
↑ Charak, General Zorawar Singh (1983), p. 111.
↑ Cunningham, Ladak (1854), p. 282.
↑ Cunningham, Ladak (1854), p. 274.
↑ Aggarwal, Beyond Lines of Control 2004, p. 35.
↑ Cheema, Pervaiz Iqbal (2003). The Armed Forces of Pakistan. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-119-1. Pg 4
↑ "1999 Kargil Conflict". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
↑ "War in Kargil – The CCC's summary on the war" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
↑ Profile of Kargil District Archived 18 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine Official website of Kargil District
↑ "Climate & Soil conditions". Official website of Kargil District. Archived from the original on 10 April 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
↑ "Kargil City Population". Census India. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
↑ ^37.0 ^37.1 ^37.2 ^37.3 "How to reach". Government of India. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
↑ "Rationalisation of Numbering Systems of National Highways" (PDF). Department of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
↑ "Notification from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways" (PDF). Department of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India. 4 August 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
↑ "Key Roads in Kargil Closed Due to Heavy Snowfall, Traffic Advisory Issued". Voice of Ladakh. 20 April 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
↑ "Srinagar-Leh and Kargil-Zanskar highways closed amid heavy snowfall". Rising Kashmir. 1 March 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
↑ "Sgr-Leh NH closed". Greater Kashmir. 19 April 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
↑ "Srinagar-Leh Highway opens partially to restore supply of goods for Ladakh". Greater Kashmir. 31 March 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
↑ "Bus service from Kargil to Jammu started by J&K govt". The Hindustan Times. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
↑ "First batch of e-buses rolled out in Kargil". The Economic Times. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
↑ "Moving on the Kargil-Skardu road". The Indian Express. 24 April 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
↑ "The Kargil-Skardu Route: Implications of its Opening by Zainab Akhter". IPCS. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
↑ "Present status of Kargil to Skardu Road". Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
↑ "Kargil Airport To Be Expanded". Press Information Bureau (Press release). 21 July 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
↑ "Regulator asks SpiceJet to start flights to Kargil". Live Mint. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
↑ "Kargil to be a major Indian Air Force base". Zee News. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
↑ "Ministry of defence to run Kargil airport". Dawn. 29 December 2002. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
↑ "J&K starts air courier service for Kargil". The Economic Times. 20 December 2007. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
↑ "Srinagar railway station". Indiarailinfo. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
↑ "How one Ladakhi Woman Kept Kargil's AIR Station Running, Despite Enemy Shelling!". The Better India. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

Aggarwal, Ravina (2004), Beyond Lines of Control: Performance and Politics on the Disputed Borders of Ladakh, India, Duke University Press, ISBN 0-8223-3414-3
Charak, Sukhdev Singh (1983), General Zorawar Singh, Publications Division, Government of India – via archive.org
Cunningham, Alexander (1854), Ladak: Physical, Statistical, Historical, London: Wm. H. Allen and Co – via archive.org
Francke, Rev. A. H. (1907), A History of Western Tibet, S. W. Partridge & Co – via archive.org
Gupta, Radhika (2013). "Allegiance and Alienation: Border Dynamics in Kargil". In David N. Gellner (ed.). Borderland Lives in Northern South Asia. Duke University Press. pp. 47–71. ISBN 978-0-8223-7730-6.
Francke, August Hermann (1926). Antiquities of Indian Tibet, Part 2. Calcutta: Superintendent Government Printing – via archive.org.
Handa, O. C. (2001), Buddhist Western Himalaya: A politico-religious history, Indus Publishing, ISBN 978-81-7387-124-5
Huttenback, Robert A. (1961), "Gulab Singh and the Creation of the Dogra State of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh" (PDF), The Journal of Asian Studies, 20 (4): 477–488, doi:10.2307/2049956, JSTOR 2049956, S2CID 162144034, archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2018, retrieved 22 November 2016
Karim, Maj Gen Afsir (2013), Kashmir The Troubled Frontiers, Lancer Publishers LLC, pp. 30–, ISBN 978-1-935501-76-3
Panikkar, K. M. (1930), Gulab Singh, London: Martin Hopkinson Ltd
Rizvi, Janet (1996), Ladakh: Crossroads of High Asia (Second ed.), Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-564016-8 – via archive.org

External links[edit | edit source]

Kargil Official Website

Template:Kargil district Template:Municipalities of Ladakh

[15] The Dras River is also referred to as Shingo River by some authors. The latter flows from Pakistan-administered Baltistan and joins the Dras River a few miles upstream from Kargil. Both the names are used for the combined river.

[21] Alternative spellings: Pashkyum and Paskyum.

[29] These two were probably in addition to a Kardar at Kargil. As noted by Cunningham, three garrison forts at the three locations were present when the British came to the scene.^[22]

[39] During the same period, the population of the Kargil district tripled from 45,064 to 140,802.

[City-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 "Kargil". Citypopulation.de. Retrieved 1 June 2025.

[Pop-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 District Census Handbook: Kargil (PDF). Directorate of Census Operations (Report). 2011. pp. 22–23.

[Lang-3] 3.0 ^3.1 "President Murmu promulgates Ladakh Official Languages Regulation 2025". All India Radio. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.

[FOOTNOTECunningham,_Ladak1854148-4] Cunningham, Ladak (1854), p. 148.

[5] Kerin, Melissa R. (2015). Art and Devotion at a Buddhist Temple in the Indian Himalaya. Indiana University Press. p. 206, note 53. ISBN 978-0-253-01309-5.

[tertiary-kashmir-6] The application of the term "administered" to the various regions of Kashmir and a mention of the Kashmir dispute is supported by the tertiary sources (a) through (e), reflecting due weight in the coverage. Although "controlled" and "held" are also applied neutrally to the names of the disputants or to the regions administered by them, as evidenced in sources (h) through (i) below, "held" is also considered politicized usage, as is the term "occupied," (see (j) below).
(a) Kashmir, region Indian subcontinent, Encyclopaedia Britannica, retrieved 15 August 2019 (subscription required) Quote: "Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcontinent ... has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The northern and western portions are administered by Pakistan and comprise three areas: Azad Kashmir, Gilgit, and Baltistan, the last two being part of a territory called the Northern Areas. Administered by India are the southern and southeastern portions, which constitute the state of Jammu and Kashmir but are slated to be split into two union territories.";
(b) Pletcher, Kenneth, Aksai Chin, Plateau Region, Asia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, retrieved 16 August 2019 (subscription required) Quote: "Aksai Chin, Chinese (Pinyin) Aksayqin, portion of the Kashmir region, at the northernmost extent of the Indian subcontinent in south-central Asia. It constitutes nearly all the territory of the Chinese-administered sector of Kashmir that is claimed by India to be part of the Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir state.";
(c) "Kashmir", Encyclopedia Americana, Scholastic Library Publishing, 2006, p. 328, ISBN 978-0-7172-0139-6 C. E Bosworth, University of Manchester Quote: "KASHMIR, kash'mer, the northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent, administered partlv by India, partly by Pakistan, and partly by China. The region has been the subject of a bitter dispute between India and Pakistan since they became independent in 1947";
(d) Osmańczyk, Edmund Jan (2003), Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements: G to M, Taylor & Francis, pp. 1191–, ISBN 978-0-415-93922-5 Quote: "Jammu and Kashmir: Territory in northwestern India, subject to a dispute between India and Pakistan. It has borders with Pakistan and China."
(e) Talbot, Ian (2016), A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas, Yale University Press, pp. 28–29, ISBN 978-0-300-19694-8 Quote: "We move from a disputed international border to a dotted line on the map that represents a military border not recognized in international law. The line of control separates the Indian and Pakistani administered areas of the former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir.";
(f) Skutsch, Carl (2015) [2007], "China: Border War with India, 1962", in Ciment, James (ed.), Encyclopedia of Conflicts Since World War II (2nd ed.), London and New York: Routledge, p. 573, ISBN 978-0-7656-8005-1, The situation between the two nations was complicated by the 1957–1959 uprising by Tibetans against Chinese rule. Refugees poured across the Indian border, and the Indian public was outraged. Any compromise with China on the border issue became impossible. Similarly, China was offended that India had given political asylum to the Dalai Lama when he fled across the border in March 1959. In late 1959, there were shots fired between border patrols operating along both the ill-defined McMahon Line and in the Aksai Chin.
(g) Clary, Christopher (30 March 2024), The Difficult Politics of Peace: Rivalry in Modern South Asia, Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, p. 109, ISBN 9780197638408, Territorial Dispute: The situation along the Sino-Indian frontier continued to worsen. In late July (1959), an Indian reconnaissance patrol was blocked, "apprehended," and eventually expelled after three weeks in custody at the hands of a larger Chinese force near Khurnak Fort in Aksai Chin. ... Circumstances worsened further in October 1959, when a major class at Kongka Pass in eastern Ladakh led to nine dead and ten captured Indian border personnel, making it by far the most serious Sino-Indian class since India's independence.
(h) Bose, Sumantra (2009), Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths to Peace, Harvard University Press, pp. 294, 291, 293, ISBN 978-0-674-02855-5 Quote: "J&K: Jammu and Kashmir. The former princely state that is the subject of the Kashmir dispute. Besides IJK (Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir. The larger and more populous part of the former princely state. It has a population of slightly over 10 million, and comprises three regions: Kashmir Valley, Jammu, and Ladakh.) and AJK ('Azad" (Free) Jammu and Kashmir. The more populous part of Pakistani-controlled J&K, with a population of approximately 2.5 million.), it includes the sparsely populated "Northern Areas" of Gilgit and Baltistan, remote mountainous regions which are directly administered, unlike AJK, by the Pakistani central authorities, and some high-altitude uninhabitable tracts under Chinese control."
(i) Fisher, Michael H. (2018), An Environmental History of India: From Earliest Times to the Twenty-First Century, Cambridge University Press, p. 166, ISBN 978-1-107-11162-2 Quote: "Kashmir’s identity remains hotly disputed with a UN-supervised “Line of Control” still separating Pakistani-held Azad (“Free”) Kashmir from Indian-held Kashmir.";
(j) Snedden, Christopher (2015), Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris, Oxford University Press, p. 10, ISBN 978-1-84904-621-3 Quote:"Some politicised terms also are used to describe parts of J&K. These terms include the words 'occupied' and 'held'."

[:0-7] 7.0 ^7.1 ^7.2 Altaf Hussain; Susanne Schmidt; Marcus Nüsser (2023). "Dynamics of Mountain Urbanisation: Evidence from the Trans-Himalayan Town of Kargil, Ladakh, India". Land. 12 (4): 920. Bibcode:2023Land...12..920H. doi:10.3390/land12040920. ISSN 2073-445X.

[FOOTNOTERizvi,_Ladakh:_Crossroads_of_High_Asia199619–20-8] 8.0 ^8.1 ^8.2 Rizvi, Ladakh: Crossroads of High Asia (1996), pp. 19–20.

[9] Francke, August Hermann (1926). Antiquities of Indian Tibet, Part 2. Calcutta: Superintendent Government Printing. p. 128 – via archive.org.

[10] THL Tibetan to English Translation Tool, The Tibetan & Himalayan Library. Term: "dkar skyil".

[11] Martin, Dan (1991), The Emergence of Bon and the Tibetan Polemical Tradition, Indiana University, p. 280, note 128; See also Gyeltsen, Jamyang (2020), dgon rabs kun gsal nyi snang / དགོན་རབས་ཀུན་གསལ་ཉི་སྣང་།, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, p. xx, ISBN 9789390752270

[12] THL Tibetan to English Translation Tool, The Tibetan & Himalayan Library. Term: "dkar 'khyil".

[13] View of the Kargil valley from the north, Google Maps, retrieved 17 January 2023.

[FOOTNOTERadhika_Gupta,_Allegiance_and_Alienation201349-14] Radhika Gupta, Allegiance and Alienation (2013), p. 49.

[16] Rizvi, Janet; Kakpori, G. M. (Summer 1988), "Lost kingdoms of the gold-digging ants (Review of L'or des fourmis: La découverte de l'Eldorado grec au Tibet by Michel Peissel)", India International Centre Quarterly, 15 (2): 131–147, JSTOR 23002056

[17] Krishna Rao, K. V. (1991), Prepare or Perish: A Study of National Security, Lancer Publishers, p. 221, ISBN 978-81-7212-001-6

[18] Naseer Ganai, Unlocking History: Hunderman's Transformation From Rock Dwellings To A Museum Village, Outlook, 7 February 2024.

[FOOTNOTEFrancke,_A_History_of_Western_Tibet1907103-19] Francke, A History of Western Tibet (1907), p. 103.

[Devers-20] 19.0 ^19.1 Devers, Quentin (2020), "Buddhism before the First Diffusion? The case of Tangol, Dras, Phikhar and Sani-Tarungtse in Purig and Zanskar (Ladakh)", Études Mongoles & Sibériennes, Centrasiatiques & Tibétaines, 51 (51), doi:10.4000/emscat.4226, S2CID 230579183

[FOOTNOTECunningham,_Ladak1854334–335-22] Cunningham, Ladak (1854), pp. 334–335.

[FOOTNOTEFrancke,_Antiquities_of_Indian_Tibet,_Part_21926128–129-23] Francke, Antiquities of Indian Tibet, Part 2 (1926), pp. 128–129.

[FOOTNOTECunningham,_Ladak1854281–282-24] 22.0 ^22.1 Cunningham, Ladak (1854), pp. 281–282.

[FOOTNOTECharak,_General_Zorawar_Singh198343-25] Charak, General Zorawar Singh (1983), p. 43.

[FOOTNOTEHanda,_Buddhist_Western_Himalaya2001191-26] Handa, Buddhist Western Himalaya (2001), p. 191.

[FOOTNOTECharak,_General_Zorawar_Singh198345-27] Charak, General Zorawar Singh (1983), p. 45.

[FOOTNOTECharak,_General_Zorawar_Singh198350-28] Charak, General Zorawar Singh (1983), p. 50.

[FOOTNOTECharak,_General_Zorawar_Singh1983111-30] Charak, General Zorawar Singh (1983), p. 111.

[FOOTNOTECunningham,_Ladak1854282-31] Cunningham, Ladak (1854), p. 282.

[FOOTNOTECunningham,_Ladak1854274-32] Cunningham, Ladak (1854), p. 274.

[FOOTNOTEAggarwal,_Beyond_Lines_of_Control200435-33] Aggarwal, Beyond Lines of Control 2004, p. 35.

[34] Cheema, Pervaiz Iqbal (2003). The Armed Forces of Pakistan. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-119-1. Pg 4

[Globalsecurity-35] "1999 Kargil Conflict". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 20 May 2009.

[Summary-36] "War in Kargil – The CCC's summary on the war" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2009.

[37] Profile of Kargil District Archived 18 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine Official website of Kargil District

[38] "Climate & Soil conditions". Official website of Kargil District. Archived from the original on 10 April 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2009.

[40] "Kargil City Population". Census India. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.

[Kargil-41] 37.0 ^37.1 ^37.2 ^37.3 "How to reach". Government of India. Retrieved 1 June 2025.

[42] "Rationalisation of Numbering Systems of National Highways" (PDF). Department of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2012.

[43] "Notification from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways" (PDF). Department of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India. 4 August 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2012.

[44] "Key Roads in Kargil Closed Due to Heavy Snowfall, Traffic Advisory Issued". Voice of Ladakh. 20 April 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.

[45] "Srinagar-Leh and Kargil-Zanskar highways closed amid heavy snowfall". Rising Kashmir. 1 March 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.

[46] "Sgr-Leh NH closed". Greater Kashmir. 19 April 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.

[47] "Srinagar-Leh Highway opens partially to restore supply of goods for Ladakh". Greater Kashmir. 31 March 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.

[48] "Bus service from Kargil to Jammu started by J&K govt". The Hindustan Times. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2025.

[49] "First batch of e-buses rolled out in Kargil". The Economic Times. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2025.

[50] "Moving on the Kargil-Skardu road". The Indian Express. 24 April 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2013.

[51] "The Kargil-Skardu Route: Implications of its Opening by Zainab Akhter". IPCS. Retrieved 22 April 2013.

[52] "Present status of Kargil to Skardu Road". Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2013.

[53] "Kargil Airport To Be Expanded". Press Information Bureau (Press release). 21 July 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2019.

[54] "Regulator asks SpiceJet to start flights to Kargil". Live Mint. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2019.

[55] "Kargil to be a major Indian Air Force base". Zee News. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2019.

[56] "Ministry of defence to run Kargil airport". Dawn. 29 December 2002. Retrieved 29 July 2019.

[57] "J&K starts air courier service for Kargil". The Economic Times. 20 December 2007. Retrieved 29 July 2019.

[58] "Srinagar railway station". Indiarailinfo. Retrieved 1 June 2025.

[59] "How one Ladakhi Woman Kept Kargil's AIR Station Running, Despite Enemy Shelling!". The Better India. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|Town in Indian-administered Ladakh, Kashmir region}}
+{{Short description|Town in India, Ladakh, Kashmir region}}
-{{About|the municipality in Indian-administered Ladakh, Kashmir region|its namesake district|Kargil district|the film|Kargil (film)|[[Kargil War]]|Kargil War}}
+{{About|the municipality in India, Ladakh, Kashmir region|its namesake district|Kargil district|the film|Kargil (film)|the war fought near Kargil|Kargil War}}
 {{Distinguish|Cargill}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}{{Infobox settlement
-{{Use dmy dates|date= May 2022}}
+| name = Kargil
-{{Infobox settlement
+| official_name =
-| name                     = Kargil
+| native_name =
-| official_name            =
+| native_name_lang =
-| native_name              =
+| other_name =
-| native_name_lang         =
+| settlement_type = Town and municipality
-| other_name               =
+| image_skyline = TOURIST FECILITATION CENTRE KARGIL.jpg
-| settlement_type          = City administered by India
+| image_caption = Tourist Facilitation Centre at Bemathang, Kargil, Ladakh.
-| image_skyline            = Kargil_Town_Panorama.jpg
+| nickname =
-| image_caption            =
+| image_map1 = Kashmir region. LOC 2003626427 - showing sub-regions administered by different countries.jpg
-| nickname                 =
+| map_caption1 = Kargil in the [[Ladakh]] region of the [[Indian-administered Kashmir]] (in [[tan (color)|tan]])
-| image_map1                = Kashmir region. LOC 2003626427 - showing sub-regions administered by different countries.jpg
+| image_map =
-| map_caption1              = Kargil is the joint capital of [[Ladakh]], the eastern part of the Indian-administered regions (shaded in [[tan (color)|tan]] ) of the disputed [[Kashmir]] region<ref name=tertiary-kashmir/>
+| map_caption = Location of Kargil
-| image_map               = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-width=300|frame-height=170|frame-align=center|zoom=4|type=point|title=Kargil|marker=city|type2=shape|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080}}
+| coordinates = {{coord|34.5594|76.1256 |format=dms|display=inline,title}}
-| map_caption             = Interactive map of Kargil
+| subdivision_type = Administrating country
-| coordinates              = {{coord|34.5594|76.1256 |format=dms|display=inline,title}}
+| subdivision_name = India
-| subdivision_type         = Administrating country
+| subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|Union territory]]
-| subdivision_name         = India
+| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of Ladakh|District]]
-| subdivision_type1        = Region of administration
+| subdivision_type3 = [[List of subdistricts in India|Tehsil]]
-| subdivision_type2        = [[List of districts of Ladakh|District]]
+| subdivision_name1 = [[Ladakh]]
-| subdivision_type3        = [[List of subdistricts in India|Tehsil]]
+| subdivision_name2 = [[Kargil district|Kargil]]
-| subdivision_name1        =  [[States and union territories of India|Union territory]] of [[Ladakh]]
+| subdivision_name3 = Kargil
-| subdivision_name2        = [[Kargil district|Kargil]]
+| established_title = <!-- Established -->
-| subdivision_name3        = Kargil
+| established_date = 1 July 1979
-| established_title        = <!-- Established -->
+| government_type = [[Municipality]]
-| established_date         = 1 July 1979
+| governing_body = [[Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil]]
-| government_type          = [[Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil]]
+| unit_pref = Metric
-| unit_pref                = Metric
+| area_total_km2 = 2.14
-| area_total_km2           = 2.14
+| area_footnotes = <ref name="City">{{cite web|url=https://citypopulation.de/en/india/ladakh/kargil/0140801000__kargil/|title=Kargil|work=Citypopulation.de|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>
-| elevation_footnotes      =
+| elevation_footnotes =
-| elevation_m              = 2676
+| elevation_m = 2676
-| population_total         = 16,338
+| population_total = 16,338
-| population_as_of         = 2011
+| population_as_of = 2011
-| population_footnotes     = <ref name=census/>
+| population_footnotes = <ref name="Pop">{{cite report|url=https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s341ae36ecb9b3eee609d05b90c14222fb/uploads/2018/09/2018091067.pdf|title=District Census Handbook: Kargil|work=Directorate of Census Operations|year=2011|pages=22–23}}</ref>
-| population_density_km2   = auto
+| population_density_km2 = auto
-| demographics_type1       = Others
+| demographics_type1 = Others
-| demographics1_title1     = Official
+| demographics1_title1 = Official
-| timezone1                = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
+| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
-| utc_offset1              = +5:30
+| utc_offset1 = +5:30
-| postal_code_type         = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
+| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
-| postal_code              = 194103
+| postal_code = 194103
-| registration_plate       = LA 01
+| registration_plate = LA 01
-| website                  = {{url|https://kargil.nic.in/}}
+| website = {{url|https://kargil.nic.in/}}
-| blank1_name_sec2         = {{nowrap|[[Official languages]]}}
+| blank1_name_sec2 = {{nowrap|[[Official languages]]}}<ref name="Lang">{{cite news|url=https://www.newsonair.gov.in/president-murmu-promulgates-ladakh-official-languages-regulation-2025/|title=President Murmu promulgates Ladakh Official Languages Regulation 2025|date=4 June 2025|access-date=1 June 2025|work=[[All India Radio]]}}</ref>
-| blank1_info_sec2         = [[Urdu]], [[Purgi language|Purgi]], [[Ladakhi language|Ladakhi]], [[Brokskat]], [[English language|English]]<ref name=langoff50>{{cite web|url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM50thReport.pdf |title=Report of the Commissioner for linguistic minorities: 50th report (July 2012 to June 2013) |publisher=Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India |page=49 |access-date=14 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708012438/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM50thReport.pdf |archive-date= 8 July 2016 }}</ref>
+| blank1_info_sec2 = [[English language|English]], [[Hindu]], [[Ladakhi language|Ladakhi]], [[Purgi language|Purigi]], [[Urdu]]
-| blank2_name_sec2         = Other spoken
+| mapframe = yes
-| blank2_info_sec2         = [[Shina language|Shina]], [[Balti language|Balti]]
+| mapframe-wikidata = yes
-| module                   = {{Infobox mapframe |wikidata=yes |coord={{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}}
 }}
-'''Kargil''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɑr|ɡ|ɪ|l}} or '''Kargyil'''{{sfnp|Cunningham, Ladak|1854|p=148}}<ref>{{cite book |first=Melissa R. |last=Kerin |date=2015 |title=Art and Devotion at a Buddhist Temple in the Indian Himalaya |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-01309-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xrPdCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA206 |at=p. 206, note 53}}</ref> is a city in Indian-administered [[Ladakh]] in the [[Kashmir#Dispute|disputed]] [[Kashmir]] region.<ref name=tertiary-kashmir> The application of the term "administered" to the various regions of [[Kashmir]] and a mention of the Kashmir dispute is supported by the [[WP:TERTIARY|tertiary sources]] (a) through (e), reflecting [[WP:DUE|due weight]] in the coverage. Although "controlled" and "held" are also applied neutrally to the names of the disputants or to the regions administered by them, as evidenced in sources (h) through (i) below, "held" is also considered politicized usage, as is the term "occupied," (see (j) below). <br/>
+'''Kargil''' ({{IPA|en|ˈkɑrɡɪl|lang}} {{respell|KAR|ghil}}, {{IPA|hi|kaːɾɡɪl|lang}}) or '''Kargyil'''{{sfnp|Cunningham, Ladak|1854|p=148}}<ref>{{cite book |first=Melissa R. |last=Kerin |date=2015 |title=Art and Devotion at a Buddhist Temple in the Indian Himalaya |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-01309-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xrPdCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA206 |at=p. 206, note 53}}</ref> is a [[city]] in Indian-administered [[Ladakh]] in the disputed [[Kashmir]] region.<ref name=tertiary-kashmir> The application of the term "administered" to the various regions of [[Kashmir]] and a mention of the Kashmir dispute is supported by the [[WP:TERTIARY|tertiary sources]] (a) through (e), reflecting [[WP:DUE|due weight]] in the coverage. Although "controlled" and "held" are also applied neutrally to the names of the disputants or to the regions administered by them, as evidenced in sources (h) through (i) below, "held" is also considered politicized usage, as is the term "occupied," (see (j) below). <br/>
-(a) {{citation|title=Kashmir, region Indian subcontinent|publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Kashmir-region-Indian-subcontinent |accessdate=15 August 2019}} (subscription required) Quote: "Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcontinent ... has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The northern and western portions are administered by Pakistan and comprise three areas: Azad Kashmir, Gilgit, and Baltistan, the last two being part of a territory called the Northern Areas. Administered by India are the southern and southeastern portions, which constitute the state of Jammu and Kashmir but are slated to be split into two union territories.";<br/> (b) {{citation|last1=Pletcher|first1=Kenneth|title=Aksai Chin, Plateau Region, Asia|publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Aksai-Chin |accessdate=16 August 2019}} (subscription required) Quote: "Aksai Chin, Chinese (Pinyin) Aksayqin, portion of the Kashmir region, at the northernmost extent of the Indian subcontinent in south-central Asia. It constitutes nearly all the territory of the Chinese-administered sector of Kashmir that is claimed by India to be part of the Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir state."; <br/> (c) {{citation|chapter=Kashmir|title=Encyclopedia Americana|publisher=Scholastic Library Publishing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l_cWAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA328|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7172-0139-6|page=328}} C. E Bosworth, University of Manchester Quote: "KASHMIR, kash'mer, the northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent, administered partlv by India, partly by Pakistan, and partly by China. The region has been the subject of a bitter dispute between India and Pakistan since they became independent in 1947"; <br/> (d) {{citation|last1=Osmańczyk|first1=Edmund Jan|title=Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements: G to M|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fSIMXHMdfkkC&pg=PA1191|year=2003|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-93922-5|pages=1191–}} Quote: "Jammu and Kashmir: Territory in northwestern India, subject to a dispute between India and Pakistan. It has borders with Pakistan and China." <br/>(e) {{citation|last=Talbot|first=Ian|title=A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eNg_CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA28|year=2016|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-19694-8|pages=28–29}} Quote: "We move from a disputed international border to a dotted line on the map that represents a military border not recognized in international law. The line of control separates the Indian and Pakistani administered areas of the former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir.";  <br/> (f) {{citation|last=Skutsch|first=Carl|editor-last=Ciment|editor-first=James|title=Encyclopedia of Conflicts Since World War II|edition=2nd|year=2015|orig-year=2007|isbn=978-0-7656-8005-1|chapter=China: Border War with India, 1962|location=London and New York|publisher=Routledge|page=573|quote=The situation between the two nations was complicated by the 1957–1959 uprising by Tibetans against Chinese rule.  Refugees poured across the Indian border, and the Indian public was outraged.  Any compromise with China on the border issue became impossible.  Similarly, China was offended that India had given political asylum to the Dalai Lama when he fled across the border in March 1959.  In late 1959, there were shots fired between border patrols operating along both the ill-defined McMahon Line and in the Aksai Chin.}}<br/>  (g) {{citation|last=Clary|first=Christopher|title=The Difficult Politics of Peace: Rivalry in Modern South Asia|publisher=Oxford University Press|location = Oxford and New York|isbn=9780197638408|page=109|quote=Territorial Dispute: The situation along the Sino-Indian frontier continued to worsen.  In late July (1959), an Indian reconnaissance patrol was blocked, "apprehended," and eventually expelled after three weeks in custody at the hands of a larger Chinese force near Khurnak Fort in Aksai Chin.  ... Circumstances worsened further in October 1959, when a major class at Kongka Pass in eastern Ladakh led to nine dead and ten captured Indian border personnel, making it by far the most serious Sino-Indian class since India's independence.}} <br/> (h) {{citation|last=Bose|first=Sumantra|title=Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths to Peace|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ACMe9WBdNAC&pg=PA294|year=2009|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-02855-5|pages=294, 291, 293}} Quote: "J&K: Jammu and Kashmir. The former princely state that is the subject of the Kashmir dispute. Besides IJK (Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir. The larger and more populous part of the former princely state. It has a population of slightly over 10 million, and comprises three regions: Kashmir Valley, Jammu, and Ladakh.) and AJK ('Azad" (Free) Jammu and Kashmir. The more populous part of Pakistani-controlled J&K, with a population of approximately 2.5 million.), it includes the sparsely populated "Northern Areas" of Gilgit and Baltistan, remote mountainous regions which are directly administered, unlike AJK, by the Pakistani central authorities, and some high-altitude uninhabitable tracts under Chinese control." <br/> (i) {{citation|last=Fisher|first=Michael H.|title=An Environmental History of India: From Earliest Times to the Twenty-First Century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kZVuDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166|year=2018|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-107-11162-2|page=166}} Quote: "Kashmir’s identity remains hotly disputed with a UN-supervised “Line of Control” still separating Pakistani-held Azad (“Free”) Kashmir from Indian-held Kashmir."; <br/> (j) {{citation|last=Snedden|first=Christopher|title=Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5amKCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA10|year=2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-1-84904-621-3|page=10}} Quote:"Some politicised terms also are used to describe parts of J&K. These terms include the words 'occupied' and 'held'."
+(a) {{citation|title=Kashmir, region Indian subcontinent|publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Kashmir-region-Indian-subcontinent |accessdate=15 August 2019}} (subscription required) Quote: "Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcontinent ... has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The northern and western portions are administered by Pakistan and comprise three areas: Azad Kashmir, Gilgit, and Baltistan, the last two being part of a territory called the Northern Areas. Administered by India are the southern and southeastern portions, which constitute the state of Jammu and Kashmir but are slated to be split into two union territories.";<br/> (b) {{citation|last1=Pletcher|first1=Kenneth|title=Aksai Chin, Plateau Region, Asia|publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Aksai-Chin |accessdate=16 August 2019}} (subscription required) Quote: "Aksai Chin, Chinese (Pinyin) Aksayqin, portion of the Kashmir region, at the northernmost extent of the Indian subcontinent in south-central Asia. It constitutes nearly all the territory of the Chinese-administered sector of Kashmir that is claimed by India to be part of the Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir state."; <br/> (c) {{citation|chapter=Kashmir|title=Encyclopedia Americana|publisher=Scholastic Library Publishing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l_cWAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA328|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7172-0139-6|page=328}} C. E Bosworth, University of Manchester Quote: "KASHMIR, kash'mer, the northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent, administered partlv by India, partly by Pakistan, and partly by China. The region has been the subject of a bitter dispute between India and Pakistan since they became independent in 1947"; <br/> (d) {{citation|last1=Osmańczyk|first1=Edmund Jan|title=Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements: G to M|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fSIMXHMdfkkC&pg=PA1191|year=2003|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-93922-5|pages=1191–}} Quote: "Jammu and Kashmir: Territory in northwestern India, subject to a dispute between India and Pakistan. It has borders with Pakistan and China." <br/>(e) {{citation|last=Talbot|first=Ian|title=A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eNg_CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA28|year=2016|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-19694-8|pages=28–29}} Quote: "We move from a disputed international border to a dotted line on the map that represents a military border not recognized in international law. The line of control separates the Indian and Pakistani administered areas of the former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir.";  <br/> (f) {{citation|last=Skutsch|first=Carl|editor-last=Ciment|editor-first=James|title=Encyclopedia of Conflicts Since World War II|edition=2nd|year=2015|orig-year=2007|isbn=978-0-7656-8005-1|chapter=China: Border War with India, 1962|location=London and New York|publisher=Routledge|page=573|quote=The situation between the two nations was complicated by the 1957–1959 uprising by Tibetans against Chinese rule.  Refugees poured across the Indian border, and the Indian public was outraged.  Any compromise with China on the border issue became impossible.  Similarly, China was offended that India had given political asylum to the Dalai Lama when he fled across the border in March 1959.  In late 1959, there were shots fired between border patrols operating along both the ill-defined McMahon Line and in the Aksai Chin.}}<br/>  (g) {{citation|last=Clary|first=Christopher|title=The Difficult Politics of Peace: Rivalry in Modern South Asia|date=30 March 2024 |publisher=Oxford University Press|location = Oxford and New York|isbn=9780197638408|page=109|quote=Territorial Dispute: The situation along the Sino-Indian frontier continued to worsen.  In late July (1959), an Indian reconnaissance patrol was blocked, "apprehended," and eventually expelled after three weeks in custody at the hands of a larger Chinese force near Khurnak Fort in Aksai Chin.  ... Circumstances worsened further in October 1959, when a major class at Kongka Pass in eastern Ladakh led to nine dead and ten captured Indian border personnel, making it by far the most serious Sino-Indian class since India's independence.}} <br/> (h) {{citation|last=Bose|first=Sumantra|title=Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths to Peace|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ACMe9WBdNAC&pg=PA294|year=2009|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-02855-5|pages=294, 291, 293}} Quote: "J&K: Jammu and Kashmir. The former princely state that is the subject of the Kashmir dispute. Besides IJK (Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir. The larger and more populous part of the former princely state. It has a population of slightly over 10 million, and comprises three regions: Kashmir Valley, Jammu, and Ladakh.) and AJK ('Azad" (Free) Jammu and Kashmir. The more populous part of Pakistani-controlled J&K, with a population of approximately 2.5 million.), it includes the sparsely populated "Northern Areas" of Gilgit and Baltistan, remote mountainous regions which are directly administered, unlike AJK, by the Pakistani central authorities, and some high-altitude uninhabitable tracts under Chinese control." <br/> (i) {{citation|last=Fisher|first=Michael H.|title=An Environmental History of India: From Earliest Times to the Twenty-First Century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kZVuDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166|year=2018|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-107-11162-2|page=166}} Quote: "Kashmir’s identity remains hotly disputed with a UN-supervised “Line of Control” still separating Pakistani-held Azad (“Free”) Kashmir from Indian-held Kashmir."; <br/> (j) {{citation|last=Snedden|first=Christopher|title=Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5amKCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA10|year=2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-1-84904-621-3|page=10}} Quote:"Some politicised terms also are used to describe parts of J&K. These terms include the words 'occupied' and 'held'."
-</ref>  It is the joint capital of Ladakh, an Indian-administered [[union territory]]. It is also the headquarters of the [[Kargil district]]. It is the second-largest city in Ladakh after [[Leh]].<ref>Osada et al (2000), p. 298.</ref> Kargil is located {{Convert|204|km|mi}} east of [[Srinagar]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], and {{Convert|234|km|mi}} to the west of Leh. It is on the bank of the [[Suru River (Indus)|Suru River]] near its confluence with the Wakha Rong river, the latter providing the most accessible route to Leh.{{sfnp|Rizvi, Ladakh: Crossroads of High Asia|1996|pp=19–20}}
+</ref> It is the joint capital of Ladakh, an Indian-administered [[union territory]], and the headquarters of the [[Kargil district]]. It is the second-largest urban centre in Ladakh after [[Leh]].<ref name=":0" /> Kargil is located {{Convert|204|km|mi}} east of [[Srinagar]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], and {{Convert|234|km|mi}} to the west of Leh. It is on the bank of the [[Suru River (Indus)|Suru River]] near its confluence with the [[Wakha Rong]] River, the latter providing the most accessible route to Leh.{{sfnp|Rizvi, Ladakh: Crossroads of High Asia|1996|pp=19–20}}
 ==Etymology==
 The [[Ladakh Chronicles]] spell the name of Kargil as {{bo|w=dkar skyil|s=kar kyil}}.<ref>{{cite book |last=Francke |first=August Hermann |author-link=A. H. Francke |title=Antiquities of Indian Tibet, Part 2 |publisher=Superintendent Government Printing |location=Calcutta |year=1926  |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.24327 |via=archive.org |page=128}}
-</ref> The word can be interpreted as meaning a bright or wholesome expanse.<ref>[https://www.thlib.org/reference/dictionaries/tibetan-dictionary/translate.php THL Tibetan to English Translation Tool], The Tibetan & Himalayan Library. Term: "dkar skyil".</ref>
+</ref> The word can be interpreted as meaning a bright or wholesome expanse.<ref>[https://www.thlib.org/reference/dictionaries/tibetan-dictionary/translate.php THL Tibetan to English Translation Tool], The Tibetan & Himalayan Library. Term: "dkar skyil".</ref> Modern newspapers are said to spell the name as {{bo|w=dkar `khyil|s=kar khyil|l=}}.<ref>{{citation |first=Dan
-Modern newspapers are said to spell the name as {{bo|w=dkar `khyil|s=kar khyil}}.<ref>{{citation |first=Dan
 |last=Martin |title=The Emergence of Bon and the Tibetan Polemical Tradition |publisher=Indiana University |year=1991 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vucKAAAAYAAJ |at=p. 280, note 128}}; See also {{citation |last=Gyeltsen |first=Jamyang |script-title=bo:དགོན་རབས་ཀུན་གསལ་ཉི་སྣང་།|title=dgon rabs kun gsal nyi snang / |publisher=Library of Tibetan Works and Archives |year=2020 |page=xx |isbn=9789390752270 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5NBBEAAAQBAJ&pg=PR20}}</ref> It can also be interpreted as a bright or wholesome mountainous amphitheatre.<ref>[https://www.thlib.org/reference/dictionaries/tibetan-dictionary/translate.php THL Tibetan to English Translation Tool], The Tibetan & Himalayan Library. Term: "dkar 'khyil".</ref> This phrase occurs often in Tibetan literature.
 The Kargil basin does give the feel of an expanse surrounded by low-pitched mountains, with the low Khurbathang plateau at the southeastern corner. This is in sharp contrast to the deep gorges that give access to the valley.{{sfnp|Rizvi, Ladakh: Crossroads of High Asia|1996|pp=19–20}}<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kargil+194103/@34.6942477,76.0590282,6187a,35y,163.8h,64.43t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x38e323b1c052debb:0xa73f2023eb4fccae!8m2!3d34.5538522!4d76.1348944 View of the Kargil valley from the north], Google Maps, retrieved 17 January 2023.</ref>
-The people of Kargil however relate the name to ''Khar'' (fort) and ''rkil'' (centre) and interpret it as a central place among many forts.{{sfnp|Radhika Gupta, Allegiance and Alienation|2013|p=49}}
+The people of Kargil, however, relate the name to ''Khar'' (fort) and ''rkil'' (centre) and interpret it as a central place among many forts. Radhika Gupta has opined that it is a fitting description for a place that is equidistant from Srinagar, Leh and [[Skardu]].{{sfnp|Radhika Gupta, Allegiance and Alienation|2013|p=49}}
-Radhika Gupta has opined that it is a fitting description for a place that is equidistant from [[Srinagar]], [[Leh]] and [[Skardu]].{{sfnp|Radhika Gupta, Allegiance and Alienation|2013|p=49}}
 ==Location==
-[[File:Kargil.map.gif|thumb|right|275px|Location of Kargil with respect to Kashmir, Baltistan and Leh]]
+[[File:Kargil.map.gif|thumb|Location of Kargil with respect to Kashmir, Baltistan and Leh]]
-Kargil is located at the confluence of multiple river valleys: the [[Suru River (Indus)|Suru River]] valley to the north and south, the Wakha Rong valley to the southeast leading to [[Leh]], and the [[Sod Valley]] to the east leading to the Indus Valley near [[Batalik]]. In addition, at a short distance to the north, the [[Dras River]] valley branches off from the Suru valley leading to the [[Zoji La]] pass and [[Kashmir Valley|Kashmir]]. Further north along the Suru valley, one reaches the Indus valley, leading to [[Skardu]]. Thus, Kargil is located at a key junction of routes between Kashmir, Ladakh and Baltistan.
+Kargil is located at the confluence of multiple river valleys:
+* the [[Suru River (Indus)|Suru River]] valley to the north and south,
+* the [[Wakha Rong]] valley to the southeast leading to [[Leh]], and
+* the Sod Valley to the east leading to the Indus Valley near [[Batalik]].
+In addition, at a short distance to the north, the [[Dras River]] valley{{efn|The Dras River is also referred to as [[Shingo River]] by some authors. The latter flows from Pakistan-administered Baltistan and joins the Dras River a few miles upstream from Kargil. Both the names are used for the combined river.}} branches off from the Suru valley leading to the [[Zoji La]] pass in the west and [[Kashmir Valley]] beyond. Further north along the Suru valley, one reaches the Indus valley, leading to Skardu. Thus, Kargil is located at a key junction of routes between Kashmir, Ladakh and [[Baltistan]].
-Scholar Janet Rizvi states that the Indus Valley between [[Marol, Baltistan|Marol]] and [[Dah, Ladakh|Dah]] is a narrow gorge and was not easily traversable in the pre-modern period. So the normal trade route between Baltistan and Leh also ran via Kargil, using the Suru valley and Wakha Rong.{{sfnp|Rizvi, Ladakh: Crossroads of High Asia|1996|pp=19–20}}<ref>{{citation |title=Lost kingdoms of the gold-digging ants (Review of ''L'or des fourmis: La découverte de l'Eldorado grec au Tibet'' by Michel Peissel) |first1=Janet |last1=Rizvi |first2=G. M. |last2=Kakpori |journal=India International Centre Quarterly |date=Summer 1988 |volume=15 |number=2 |pages=131–147 |jstor=23002056}}</ref>
+The normal trade route between Leh and Skardu also ran via Kargil, using the Wakha Rong and Suru valleys. Even though both the towns are on the bank of the Indus River, the latter's narrow gorge between [[Marol, Baltistan|Marol]] and [[Dah, Ladakh|Dah]] was not easily traversable prior to the modern period.{{sfnp|Rizvi, Ladakh: Crossroads of High Asia|1996|pp=19–20}}<ref>{{citation |title=Lost kingdoms of the gold-digging ants (Review of ''L'or des fourmis: La découverte de l'Eldorado grec au Tibet'' by Michel Peissel) |first1=Janet |last1=Rizvi |first2=G. M. |last2=Kakpori |journal=India International Centre Quarterly |date=Summer 1988 |volume=15 |number=2 |pages=131–147 |jstor=23002056}}</ref>
-After the [[Partition of India]] and the [[First Kashmir War]], Baltistan came under the control of Pakistan. The [[Line of Control]] with [[Pakistan-administered Kashmir]] is roughly {{convert|11|km}} to the north of Kargil.<ref>[https://www.openstreetmap.org/directions?engine=graphhopper_foot&route=34.63460%2C76.13789%3B34.55944%2C76.12560#map=13/34.5969/76.1788&layers=C LOC Kargil to Kargil], OpenStreetMap, retrieved 26 January 2023.</ref>{{rs?|date=February 2023}} Peak 13620 overlooking Kargil town and the [[National Highway 1 (India)|Srinagar–Leh Highway]] remained in Pakistani control at the end of this conflict. During the [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1971]], Indian forces pushed the Line of Control north of the ridgeline, ensuring Kargil's security. A key village called [[Hunderman]] came under Indian control as a result of this push.
+After the [[Partition of India]] and the [[First Kashmir War]], Baltistan came under the control of Pakistan. The [[Line of Control]] (LoC) with [[Pakistan-administered Kashmir]] is roughly {{convert|11|km}} to the north of Kargil. The peak known as Point 13620, which overlooks the Kargil town and the [[National Highway 1 (India)|Srinagar–Leh Highway]], remained in Pakistani control at the end of this conflict. During the [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1971]], Indian forces pushed the Line of Control north of the ridgeline, ensuring Kargil's security. A key village called [[Hunderman]] came under Indian control as a result of this push.<ref>{{citation |last=Krishna Rao |first=K. V. |title=Prepare or Perish: A Study of National Security |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G7xPaJomYsEC&pg=PA221 |year=1991 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |isbn=978-81-7212-001-6 |page=221}}</ref><ref>Naseer Ganai, [https://www.outlookindia.com/culture-society/unlocking-history-hunderman-s-transformation-from-rock-dwellings-to-a-museum-village-weekender_story-327383 Unlocking History: Hunderman's Transformation From Rock Dwellings To A Museum Village], Outlook, 7 February 2024.</ref>
 ==History==
-The Sod Valley had a strong fort called Sod Pasari ({{bo|w=sod pa sa ri}}, now known as '''Pasar Khar''') by the 16th or 17th century. It controlled "Lower Purig", including the Sod Valley, the lower portion of Wakha Rong and, likely the Kargil basin itself.{{sfnp|Francke, A History of Western Tibet|1907|p=103}}<ref name="Devers">{{citation |first=Quentin |last=Devers |title=Buddhism before the First Diffusion? The case of Tangol, Dras, Phikhar and Sani-Tarungtse in Purig and Zanskar (Ladakh) |journal=Études Mongoles & Sibériennes, Centrasiatiques & Tibétaines |volume=51 |year=2020 |issue=51 |doi=10.4000/emscat.4226 |s2cid=230579183 |url=https://journals.openedition.org/emscat/4226}}</ref> By the 18th or 19h century, it also had a sub-branch at '''Pashkum'''{{efn|Alternative spellings: '''Pashkyum''' and '''Paskyum'''.}} ({{bo|w=pas kyum}}) southeast of Kargil town in the Wakha Rong valley.<ref name="Devers"/>
+The Sod Valley had a strong fort called Sod Pasari ({{bo|w=sod pa sa ri}}, now known as Pasar Khar) by the 16th or 17th century. It controlled "Lower Purig", including the Sod Valley, the lower portion of Wakha Rong and, likely the Kargil basin itself.{{sfnp|Francke, A History of Western Tibet|1907|p=103}}<ref name="Devers">{{citation |first=Quentin |last=Devers |title=Buddhism before the First Diffusion? The case of Tangol, Dras, Phikhar and Sani-Tarungtse in Purig and Zanskar (Ladakh) |journal=Études Mongoles & Sibériennes, Centrasiatiques & Tibétaines |volume=51 |year=2020 |issue=51 |doi=10.4000/emscat.4226 |s2cid=230579183 |doi-access=free }}</ref> By the 18th or 19h century, it also had a sub-branch at Pashkum{{efn|Alternative spellings: '''Pashkyum''' and '''Paskyum'''.}} ({{bo|w=pas kyum}}) southeast of Kargil town in the Wakha Rong valley.<ref name="Devers"/>
 === Dogra period ===
-[[File:Sodh Khar (Fort) Kargil.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Ruins of the old fort at Sod]]
+[[File:Sodh Khar (Fort) Kargil.jpg|thumb|Ruins of the old fort at Sod]]
-During Zorawar Singh's invasion of Ladakh in 1834, the Dogras attacked both these forts and destroyed them.{{sfnp|Cunningham, Ladak|1854|pp=334–335}}{{sfnp|Francke, Antiquities of Indian Tibet, Part 2|1926|pp=128–129}} Afterwards, Zorawar Singh stationed a Kardar (administrator) for Kargil and Drass, and probably built a fort at Kargil for this purpose. In 1838, the people of the region revolted against the Dogras and the killed the Kardar.{{sfnp|Charak, General Zorawar Singh|1983|p=43}}{{sfnp|Handa, Buddhist Western Himalaya|2001|p=191}}
-In 1840, after another rebellion in Ladakh, Zorawar Singh deposed the [[Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh|Gyalpo]] and annexed Ladakh. He also decided to invade Baltistan.{{sfnp|Charak, General Zorawar Singh|1983|p=45}} On the way to Baltistan, he made a detour to Sod, routed the rebels and, according to the Dogra narrative, "annexed" the whole of Purig. He appointed kardars for Drass and Suru.{{sfnp|Charak, General Zorawar Singh|1983|p=50}}{{efn|The mention of "Suru" could be a reference to Kargil.}}
+During [[Zorawar Singh (Dogra general)|Zorawar Singh]]'s [[Dogra invasion of Ladakh|invasion of Ladakh]] in 1834, the Dogras attacked both the forts Sod Pasari and Pashkum, and destroyed them.{{sfnp|Cunningham, Ladak|1854|pp=334–335}}{{sfnp|Francke, Antiquities of Indian Tibet, Part 2|1926|pp=128–129}} Afterwards, Zorawar Singh built a fort at Kargil,{{sfnp|Cunningham, Ladak|1854|pp=281–282}} and stationed a Kardar (administrator), with the charge of the Kargil region as well as Drass. In 1838, the people of the region revolted against the Dogras and killed the kardar as well as entire garrison stationed at Kargil.{{sfnp|Charak, General Zorawar Singh|1983|p=43}}{{sfnp|Handa, Buddhist Western Himalaya|2001|p=191}}
-After Zorawar Singh's death in Tibet, there was another rebellion in Ladakh and Purig. But Dogras sent fresh forces under Wazir Lakhpat, who beat back the Tibetans and reestablished ''status quo ante''. On returning, the Wazir garrisoned the Kargil fort and took all the Rajas of the region as prisoners.{{sfnp|Charak, General Zorawar Singh|1983|p=111}}
+In 1840, after another rebellion in Ladakh, Zorawar Singh deposed the [[Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh|Gyalpo]] of Ladakh and annexed the kingdom. He also decided [[Dogra invasion of Baltistan|to invade Baltistan]] which had assisted the Gyalpo in rebellion.{{sfnp|Charak, General Zorawar Singh|1983|p=45}} On the way to Baltistan, he made a detour to Sod, routed the rebels and annexed the whole of Purig. He appointed kardars for Dras and Suru.{{sfnp|Charak, General Zorawar Singh|1983|p=50}}{{efn|These two were probably in addition to a Kardar at Kargil. As noted by Cunningham, three garrison forts at the three locations were present when the British came to the scene.{{sfnp|Cunningham, Ladak|1854|pp=281–282}}}}
-[[Alexander Cunningham]] described the Kargil fort as a square of about sixty yards on the left bank of the Suru River immediately above its junction with Wakha Rong. It was able to defend the bridge over the Suru River and completely command the Kashmir–Ladakh road.{{sfnp|Cunningham, Ladak|1854|p=282}}
+After Zorawar Singh's [[Dogra–Tibetan war|death in Tibet]], there was another rebellion in Ladakh and Purig with the support of the Tibetan forces. But Dogras sent fresh forces under Wazir Lakhpat, who beat back the Tibetans and reestablished ''status quo ante''. On returning, the Wazir garrisoned the Kargil fort and took all the Rajas of the region as prisoners.{{sfnp|Charak, General Zorawar Singh|1983|p=111}}
-In 1854, there were three ''ilaqas'' (subdistrics) in the present day Kargil distric, at Kargil, Dras and Zanskar respectively. They were headed by civil officers called ''Thanadars''.{{sfnp|Cunningham, Ladak|1854|p=274}} It would appear that the growth of Kargil as an administrative centre and a town owes to this establishment.
+[[Alexander Cunningham]] described the Kargil fort in 1854 as a square of about sixty yards on the left bank of the Suru River immediately above its junction with Wakha Rong. It was able to defend the bridge over the Suru River and completely command the Kashmir–Ladakh road.{{sfnp|Cunningham, Ladak|1854|p=282}}
-During the reign of [[Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir|Pratap Singh]], a ''wazarat'' (district) was established for all the frontier regions (including Gilgit), and Kargil was made a ''tehsil'' of the wazarat. Sometime later, Gilgit was separated, and Kargil, Skardu and Leh made up the Ladakh ''wazarat''. The district headquarters shifted between the three locations each year.{{sfn|Aggarwal, Beyond Lines of Control|2004|p=35}}
+In 1854, there were three ''ilaqas'' (subdistricts) in the present day Kargil district, at Kargil, Dras and Zanskar respectively. They were headed by civil officers called ''Thanadars''.{{sfnp|Cunningham, Ladak|1854|p=274}} During the reign of [[Pratap Singh of Jammu and Kashmir|Pratap Singh]], a ''wazarat'' (district) was established for all the frontier regions (including Gilgit), and Kargil was made a ''tehsil'' of the wazarat. Sometime later, Gilgit was separated, and Kargil, Skardu and Leh made up the Ladakh ''wazarat''. The district headquarters shifted between the three locations each year.{{sfn|Aggarwal, Beyond Lines of Control|2004|p=35}}
+=== Importance to central Asian trade route ===
+In historical times, Ladakh was a busy entrepôt for [[Silk Road|Silk Route trade]] between Central and South Asia. Both Leh and Kargil benefitted from the trade between South and Central Asia as posts and halting places on the caravan routes from Srinagar to Leh, and on to Central Asia until the mid-20th century. During the [[British Raj|colonial period]], the significance of this trade route in Kargil town manifested in the form of a [[Caravanserai|serai]], a rest-house, and post and telegraph offices. The small wooden shops and large emporiums of Kargil's small bazaar offered matches, kerosine oil, several varieties of sugar and tea, cotton cloth from Bombay and Manchester, and cheap glass and tinsel ornaments.<ref name=":0" />
 === Independent India ===
-[[File:KargilWarMemorial2.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Kargil War Memorial]]
+[[File:KargilWarMemorial2.JPG|thumb|upright=0.75|Kargil War Memorial]]
 The [[First Kashmir War]] (1947–48) concluded with a ceasefire line that divided the Ladakh ''wazarat'', putting roughly the Kargil and Leh ''tehsils'' on the Indian side, and the Skardu ''tehsil'' on the Pakistan side. The two Indian ''tehsils'' were soon promoted to districts and Ladakh was named a division, on a par with the [[Jammu Division|Jammu]] and [[Kashmir Division|Kashmir]] divisions in the Indian state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. Pakistan renamed the Skardu ''tehsil'' [[Baltistan]] and divided it into further districts.
 At the end of [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], the two nations signed the [[Simla Agreement]], converting the former ceasefire line with some adjustments into a [[Line of Control]], and promising not to engage in armed conflict with respect to that boundary.<ref>{{cite book |first=Pervaiz Iqbal |last=Cheema |title=The Armed Forces of Pakistan |publisher=Allen & Unwin |year=2003 |isbn=1-86508-119-1}} Pg 4</ref>
+[[File:Rangdum_village_of_Zanskar_in_Kargil.jpg|thumb|Rangdum village of Kargil enroute Zanskar from Kargil town.]]
-In 1999 the area saw infiltration by Pakistani forces, leading to the [[Kargil War]]. Fighting occurred along a 160&nbsp;km long stretch of [[ridge]]s overlooking the only road linking Srinagar and Leh.<ref name="Globalsecurity">{{cite web| url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/kargil-99.htm|title=1999 Kargil Conflict|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org| access-date=2009-05-20}}</ref> The military outposts on the ridges above the highway were generally around 5,000 metres (16,000&nbsp;ft) high, with a few as high as 5,485 metres (18,000&nbsp;ft). After several months of fighting and diplomatic activity, the Pakistani forces were forced to withdraw to their side of the Line of Control by their Prime minister [[Nawaz Sharif]] after he visited the USA.<ref name="Summary">{{cite web|url=http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/kargil/war_in_kargil.pdf |title=War in Kargil – The CCC's summary on the war |access-date=2009-05-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327120658/http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/kargil/war_in_kargil.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2009 }}</ref>
+In 1999, the area saw infiltration by Pakistani forces, leading to the [[Kargil War]]. Fighting occurred along a 160&nbsp;km long stretch of [[ridge]]s overlooking the only road linking Srinagar and Leh.<ref name="Globalsecurity">{{cite web| url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/kargil-99.htm|title=1999 Kargil Conflict|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org| access-date=2009-05-20}}</ref> The military outposts on the ridges above the highway were generally around 5,000 m (16,400&nbsp;ft) high, with a few as high as 5,485 m (17,995&nbsp;ft). After several months of fighting and diplomatic activity, the Pakistani forces were forced to withdraw to their side of the Line of Control by their Prime minister [[Nawaz Sharif]] after he visited the [[United States]].<ref name="Summary">{{cite web|url=http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/kargil/war_in_kargil.pdf |title=War in Kargil – The CCC's summary on the war |access-date=2009-05-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327120658/http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/kargil/war_in_kargil.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2009 }}</ref>
 ==Geography==
-[[File:Kargil town, India panorama.jpg|thumb|right|Kargil town with the Suru river in the foreground and mountain background]]
+[[File:Kargil_Town_Panorama.jpg|thumb|Kargil town along the [[Suru River (Indus)|Suru river]] valley]]
-Kargil has an average elevation of 2,676&nbsp;metres (8,780&nbsp;feet), and is situated along the banks of the [[Suru River (Indus)]].
-The town of Kargil is located {{convert|205|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Srinagar]],<ref>[http://kargil.nic.in/profile/profile.htm Profile of Kargil District] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518031923/http://kargil.nic.in/profile/profile.htm |date=18 May 2009 }} Official website of Kargil District</ref> facing the [[Northern Areas]] across the [[Line of Control|LOC]]. Like other areas in the [[Himalayas]], Kargil has a temperate climate. Summers are hot with cool nights, while winters are long and chilly with temperatures often dropping below &minus;20&nbsp;°C (&minus;4&nbsp;°F).<ref>{{cite web| url=http://kargil.nic.in/profile/climate.htm| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410042319/http://kargil.nic.in/profile/climate.htm |archive-date=10 April 2009|title=Climate & Soil conditions|work=Official website of Kargil District| access-date=2009-05-20}}</ref>
+Kargil has an average elevation of 2,676&nbsp;m (8,780&nbsp;ft), and is situated along the banks of the Suru River. The town of Kargil is located {{convert|205|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Srinagar,<ref>[http://kargil.nic.in/profile/profile.htm Profile of Kargil District] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518031923/http://kargil.nic.in/profile/profile.htm |date=18 May 2009 }} Official website of Kargil District</ref> facing [[Gilgit-Baltistan]] across the [[Line of Control|LoC]]. Like other areas in the [[Himalayas]], Kargil has a temperate climate. Summers are hot with cool nights, while winters are long and chilly with temperatures often dropping below &minus;20&nbsp;°C (&minus;4&nbsp;°F).<ref>{{cite web| url=http://kargil.nic.in/profile/climate.htm| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410042319/http://kargil.nic.in/profile/climate.htm |archive-date=10 April 2009|title=Climate & Soil conditions|work=Official website of Kargil District| access-date=2009-05-20}}</ref>
 ==Demographics==
-During the 2011 census, the population of Kargil town was recorded at 16,338. A majority of the population (11,496) is classified as [[Scheduled Tribes]]. The literacy rate is 75%.<ref name=census>[https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s341ae36ecb9b3eee609d05b90c14222fb/uploads/2018/09/2018091067.pdf District Census Handbook: Kargil], Directorate of Census Operations, 2011, pp.&nbsp;22–23</ref>
+As per the [[2011 Census of India|2011 census]], Kargil had a population of 16,338 individuals, an increase from the population of 10,657 recorded in the 2001 census.<ref name="City"/><ref name="Pop"/> The population increased almost ten times from the [[1961 Census of India|1961 census]] when 1,681 persons were recorded. The proportion of urban population in the Kargil district concomitantly increased from 3.7% to 11.6%.{{efn|During the same period, the population of the Kargil district tripled from 45,064 to 140,802.}}<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |author1=Altaf Hussain |author2=Susanne Schmidt |author3=Marcus Nüsser |date=2023 |title=Dynamics of Mountain Urbanisation: Evidence from the Trans-Himalayan Town of Kargil, Ladakh, India |journal=Land |volume=12 |issue=4 |pages=920 |doi=10.3390/land12040920 |bibcode=2023Land...12..920H |doi-access= free|issn=2073-445X}}</ref> As of 2011, the population consisted of 10,082 males and 6,256 females. Majority (70%) of the population belonged to [[Scheduled Tribes]]. The town had a literacy rate of 83.6%.<ref name="City"/><ref name="Pop"/>
+[[File:Old_man_yarning.jpg|thumb|An old man of Kargil in traditional attire.]]
+[[Islam]] is the largest religion followed by over 77% of the adherents, followed by [[Hinduism]] adhered to by 19.2% of the population. [[Sikhism]] (2.2%), [[Buddhism]] (0.5%) and [[Christianity]] (0.4%) are other minor religions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.censusindia2011.com/jammu-kashmir/kargil/kargil/kargil-mc-population.html|title=Kargil City Population|work=Census India|access-date=22 September 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031133242/https://www.censusindia2011.com/jammu-kashmir/kargil/kargil/kargil-mc-population.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[English language|English]], [[Hindi]], [[Ladakhi language|Ladakhi]], [[Purgi language|Purgi]], and [[Urdu]] are declared official languages in the territory.<ref name="Lang"/> Other spoken languages include [[Balti language|Balti]], [[Shina language|Shina]], [[Zanskari language|Zanskari]], and other [[Dardic language]]s.<ref name="Kargil"/>
-===Religion===
+==Transportation==
-Islam is the largest religion in Kargil City, followed by over 77.56% of people. Hinduism is the second-largest religion with 19.21% adherents. Buddhism and Sikhism form 0.54% and 2.2% of the population respectively.<ref name="Kargil Population">{{cite web|url=https://www.censusindia2011.com/jammu-kashmir/kargil/kargil/kargil-mc-population.html|title=Kargil City Population|work=Census India|access-date=22 September 2020}}</ref>
+[[File:National Highway 1D India.JPG|thumb|[[National highways of India|National highway]] [[National Highway 1 (India)|NH 1]] connects Srinagar and Leh via Kargil]]
-{{Pie chart
+Kargil is located on [[National highways of India|national highway]] [[National Highway 1 (India)|NH 1]] connecting Srinagar to Leh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dorth.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/9-6774713323.pdf|title=Rationalisation of Numbering Systems of National Highways|work=[[Department of Road Transport and Highways]], [[Government of India]]|access-date=2 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816023220/http://dorth.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/9-6774713323.pdf|archive-date=16 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[National Highway 301 (India)|NH 301]] extends from the junction with NH 1 in Kargil and extends to [[Zanskar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2012/E_1527_2013_007.pdf|title=Notification from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways|work=[[Department of Road Transport and Highways]], [[Government of India]]|date=4 August 2012|access-date=2 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713133325/http://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2012/E_1527_2013_007.pdf|archive-date=13 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The highways connecting Kargil to Srinagar and Zanskar are often blocked by snow from during winter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voiceofladakh.in/2025/04/key-roads-in-kargil-closed-due-to-heavy-snowfall-traffic-advisory-issued/|title=Key Roads in Kargil Closed Due to Heavy Snowfall, Traffic Advisory Issued|date=20 April 2025|work=Voice of Ladakh|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://risingkashmir.com/srinagar-leh-and-kargil-zanskar-highways-closed-amid-heavy-snowfall/|title=Srinagar-Leh and Kargil-Zanskar highways closed amid heavy snowfall|work=Rising Kashmir|date=1 March 2025|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> NH 1 from Kargil to Dras and Leh also experiences temporary blockages due to adverse weather.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/front-page-2/sgr-leh-nh-closed-3/|title=Sgr-Leh NH closed|work=Greater Kashmir|date=19 April 2025|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/kashmir/srinagar-leh-highway-opens-partially-to-restore-supply-of-goods-for-ladakh/|title=Srinagar-Leh Highway opens partially to restore supply of goods for Ladakh|work=Greater Kashmir|date=31 March 2025|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> Government operated buses provide local connectivity, and also connect Kargil with other towns.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/bus-service-from-kargil-to-jammu-started-by-j-k-govt/story-URDlhxMsHhLA5IytF8M3rN.html|title=Bus service from Kargil to Jammu started by J&K govt|date=4 July 2013|access-date=1 June 2025|newspaper=[[The Hindustan Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/first-batch-of-4-e-buses-flagged-off-in-kargil/articleshow/101453924.cms?from=mdr|title=First batch of e-buses rolled out in Kargil|date=3 July 2023|access-date=1 June 2025|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref><ref name="Kargil">{{cite web|url=https://kargil.nic.in/how-to-reach/|title=How to reach|work=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> The [[Skardu–Kargil Road|Kargil-Skardu road]] earlier linked Kargil to Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. It has been closed since the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/moving-on-the-kargilskardu-road/29212|title=Moving on the Kargil-Skardu road|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=24 April 2007|access-date=22 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipcs.org/article/india/the-kargil-skardu-route-implications-of-its-opening-3614.html|title=The Kargil-Skardu Route: Implications of its Opening by Zainab Akhter|work=IPCS|access-date=22 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idsa.in/resources/parliament/PresentstatusofKargiltoSkarduRoad|title= Present status of Kargil to Skardu Road|work= Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses|date=29 March 2012|access-date=22 April 2013}}</ref>
-|thumb = right
+[[File:Kargil airport overview.jpg|thumb|View of Kargil airport from Choskore La.]]
-|caption = Religion in Kargil City (2011)<ref name="Kargil Population"/>
+[[Kargil Airport]] was built in 1996 for civilian operations.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Kargil Airport To Be Expanded|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=107082|work=[[Press Information Bureau]]|date= 21 July 2014|access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Regulator asks SpiceJet to start flights to Kargil|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/R3AuwRTD08VXFJywxVoVvJ/Regulator-asks-SpiceJet-to-start-flights-to-Kargil.html|work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Live Mint]]|date= 27 September 2012|access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref> The operational control was later transferred to the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kargil to be a major Indian Air Force base|url= http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/kargil-to-be-a-major-indian-air-force-base_734785.html |work=[[Zee News]]|date= 29 January 2018|access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ministry of defence to run Kargil airport|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/75094/ministry-of-defence-to-run-kargil-airport|newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|date= 29 December 2002|access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref> The air force operates seasonal flights that carry cargo and transport civilians during the winter.<ref>{{cite news|title= J&K starts air courier service for Kargil|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/packaging/jk-starts-air-courier-service-for-kargil/articleshow/2637165.cms|work=[[The Economic Times]] |date=20 December 2007|access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref> The nearest major airports are the [[Leh Airport]] with regular domestic flights and the [[Srinagar International Airport]].<ref name="Kargil" /> [[Srinagar railway station]] is the nearest railway station from the town, and has limited railway services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/departures/srinagar-kashmir-sina/7026|title=Srinagar railway station|work=Indiarailinfo|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> The nearest major railhead is the [[Jammu Tawi railway station]] located about {{cvt|440|km}} from the town.<ref name="Kargil" />
-|label1 = [[Islam]]
-|value1 = 77.56
-|color1 = Green
-|label2 = [[Hinduism]]
-|value2 = 19.21
-|color2 = DarkOrange
-|label3 = [[Sikhism]]
-|value3 = 2.20
-|color3 = Gold
-|label4 = [[Christianity]]
-|value4 = 0.39
-|color4 = Blue
-|label5 = [[Buddhism]]
-|value5 = 0.54
-|color5 = Yellow
-|label6 = [[Jainism]]
-|value6 = 0.01
-|color6 = Maroon
-|label7 = Others
-|value7 = 0.01
-|color7 = Grey
-|label8 = Not Stated
-|value8 = 0.09
-|color8 = Black
-}}
 ==Media and communications==
-[[All India Radio]]'s channel ''AIR Kargil AM 684'' is broadcast from a radio station at Kargil.<ref>{{cite web |title=How one Ladakhi Woman Kept Kargil's AIR Station Running, Despite Enemy Shelling! |website=The Better India |date=2020-07-26 |url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/233771/ladakh-kargil-diwas-hero-all-india-radio-tsering-angmo-shunu-bravery-india-nor41/ |access-date=2020-10-07}}</ref> Greater Ladakh is the largest circulated bi-lingual newspaper in the Union Territory that publishes once in a week.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
+State owned public broadcaster [[All India Radio]] operates an [[Amplitude modulation|AM]] radio station at Kargil.<ref>{{cite web|title=How one Ladakhi Woman Kept Kargil's AIR Station Running, Despite Enemy Shelling!|work=The Better India|date=26 July 2020 |url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/233771/ladakh-kargil-diwas-hero-all-india-radio-tsering-angmo-shunu-bravery-india-nor41/|access-date=7 October 2020}}</ref>
-==Transportation==
-===Air===
-[[Kargil Airport]] is a non-operational airport located 8 kilometres from the town. The airport is included in [[UDAN]] scheme and is proposed to be operational in the near future. The nearest operational airport is the [[Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport|Srinagar International Airport]].
-===Rail===
-There is no rail-connectivity to Kargil yet. The Srinagar-Kargil-Leh railway line is proposed which will connect Srinagar and Leh via Kargil. The nearest major railway station to Kargil is [[Jammu Tawi railway station]] located at a distance of 472 kilometres.
-===Road===
-An Indian [[National highways of India|national highway]] ([[National Highway 1 (India)|NH 1]]) connecting Srinagar to [[Leh]] cuts through Kargil.
-==Kargil-Skardu Road==
-The all-weather [[Skardu–Kargil Road|Kargil-Skardu road]] once linked Kargil to [[Skardu]], a city in [[Gilgit-Baltistan]]. Since the 1948 Kashmir War, the road has been closed. Whilst the Indian Government has proposed opening the road as a humanitarian gesture, the Pakistani government has refused.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/moving-on-the-kargilskardu-road/29212 |title=Moving on the Kargil-Skardu road |work=The Indian Express|date=2007-04-24 |access-date=2013-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipcs.org/article/india/the-kargil-skardu-route-implications-of-its-opening-3614.html |title=The Kargil-Skardu Route: Implications of its Opening by Zainab Akhter |publisher=Ipcs.org |access-date=2013-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idsa.in/resources/parliament/PresentstatusofKargiltoSkarduRoad |title=Q. 368 Present status of Kargil to Skardu Road &#124; Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses |publisher=Idsa.in |date=2012-03-29 |access-date=2013-04-22}}</ref>
 ==See also==
-* [[Kargil War]]
+* [[Purigpa]]
-* [[Ladakh]]
-* [[Leh]]
 * [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)]]
-* [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)]]
-* [[1988 Gilgit massacre]]
 {{Clear}}
@@ Line 182: / Line 144: @@
 * {{cite book |last=Francke |first=August Hermann |author-link=A. H. Francke |title=Antiquities of Indian Tibet, Part 2 |publisher=Superintendent Government Printing |location=Calcutta |year=1926  |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.24327 |via=archive.org |ref={{sfnref|Francke, Antiquities of Indian Tibet, Part 2|1926}}}}
 * {{citation |last1=Handa |first1=O. C. |title=Buddhist Western Himalaya: A politico-religious history |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R4VuovXa5YUC&pg=PA197 |year=2001 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-7387-124-5 |ref={{sfnref|Handa, Buddhist Western Himalaya|2001}}}}
-* {{citation |last=Huttenback |first=Robert A. |title=Gulab Singh and the Creation of the Dogra State of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh |journal=The Journal of Asian Studies |volume=20 |number=4 |year=1961 |pages=477–488 |doi=10.2307/2049956 |jstor=2049956 |s2cid=162144034 |url=https://pahar.in/mountains/Books%20and%20Articles/Indian%20Subcontinent/1961%20Gulab%20Singh%20and%20Creation%20of%20Dogra%20State%20of%20Jammu%20Kashmir%20and%20Ladakh%20by%20Huttenback%20from%20J%20Asian%20Studies%20v20%20s.pdf |ref={{sfnref|Huttenback, Gulab Singh and the Creation of the Dogra State|1961}}}}
+* {{citation |last=Huttenback |first=Robert A. |title=Gulab Singh and the Creation of the Dogra State of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh |journal=The Journal of Asian Studies |volume=20 |number=4 |year=1961 |pages=477–488 |doi=10.2307/2049956 |jstor=2049956 |s2cid=162144034 |url=https://pahar.in/mountains/Books%20and%20Articles/Indian%20Subcontinent/1961%20Gulab%20Singh%20and%20Creation%20of%20Dogra%20State%20of%20Jammu%20Kashmir%20and%20Ladakh%20by%20Huttenback%20from%20J%20Asian%20Studies%20v20%20s.pdf |ref={{sfnref|Huttenback, Gulab Singh and the Creation of the Dogra State|1961}} |access-date=22 November 2016 |archive-date=23 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123065805/http://pahar.in/mountains/Books%20and%20Articles/Indian%20Subcontinent/1961%20Gulab%20Singh%20and%20Creation%20of%20Dogra%20State%20of%20Jammu%20Kashmir%20and%20Ladakh%20by%20Huttenback%20from%20J%20Asian%20Studies%20v20%20s.pdf |url-status=dead }}
 * {{citation |last=Karim |first=Maj Gen Afsir |title=Kashmir The Troubled Frontiers |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lf2jAQAAQBAJ&pg=PT30 |date=2013 |publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC |isbn=978-1-935501-76-3 |pages=30– |ref={{sfnref|Karim, Kashmir The Troubled Frontiers|2013}}}}
 * {{citation |title=Gulab Singh |first=K. M.  |last=Panikkar  |author-link=K. M. Panikkar  |publisher=Martin Hopkinson Ltd  |year=1930  |location=London  |url=https://archive.org/details/gulabsingh179218031570mbp |ref={{sfnref|Panikkar, Gulab Singh|1930}}}}
@@ Line 193: / Line 155: @@
 ==External links==
+{{Commons category|Kargil}}
 * [https://kargil.nic.in/ Kargil Official Website]