Forts, Palaces, and Mansions of Ladakh

Text and Photographs by Mr. Sachin Vaidya Karche Khar is a village in Kargil District of Union Territory of Ladakh. In local language, 'khar' means fort. The Fort is in total ruins. I could not reach the top as there was no pathway. On the way, traditional Ladakhi houses were visible. Modern constructions were visible in the Village. Lush green fields were visible in the Village. Karche Khar was a picturesque village; however, the fort was total disappointment. I visited the fort during June 2018. In the same village, a gigantic 7th century Buddha statue was a tourist attraction. I had to walk a bit to view the statue. I visited the site twice: June 2012 and June 2018. In the same village ( Karche Khar), tomb of a Muslim queen married to a Buddhist Ladakhi king existed. The queen was Gyal Khatun and the king was Jamyang Namgyal. Before marriage,  Gyal Khatun was princess of Baltistan and Jamyang Namgyal was king of Ladakh from 1595 to 1616. The tomb appeared to be a moder...

  Text and Photographs by Mr. Sachin Vaidya Zangla Palace was a place from where half of Zanskar (region) was once ruled. Zanskar lies in Kargil District of Union Territory of Ladakh. It has a sizable Buddhist population. Zangla was an independent kingdom till its accession to the State of Jammu and Kashmir in 1834. I visited the Palace during June 2019. Following board describes brief history of the Palace: The Palace is in state of disrepair. The Palace is believed to built by Ldey Tsug Gon who was the king of Zanskar during the 10th century. Following video shows the Palace and surrounding: The Palace surroundings were typical Ladakhi landscape. Buddhist Stupas were visible in the vicinity. The descendants of the former royal family stayed at the foothill of the Palace; however, I did not click photograph of their home which looked good from outside. Mr. Maqsood Ali (my driver from Kargil) facilitated buying tickets and opening and closing of the Palace by taking keys from the h...