Forts, Palaces, and Mansions of Ladakh

  Text and Photographs by Mr. Sachin Vaidya Chiktan Khar [fort] was 16th century Balti fort of Chiktan - or the Chiktan-e-Rajikhar. I visited the fort during June 2018. The Chiktan Khar was 17 km south from Sanjak on the Khaltse-Batalik Road and 11 km north from Khangral on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway 1D. The fort is geographically located in Kargil District of the Union Territory of Ladakh. Government Tourist Bungalow was the accommodation available. The once majestic fort was in ruins; its nine floors were reduced to a few walls. There was no way to climb up the fort as the slope was slippery. Ruins were visible in the vicinity. In the past, locals reportedly used stone and wood from the fort for personal use; hence, the fort was in advance stage of decay. A brief history of the fort was available at Wikipedia: Chiktan Fort - Wikipedia Human population had encroached upon the fort precincts. I remember viewing a few artifacts (donated by the noble family who stayed at the f...