Zanskar
Zanskar is a geographical region located in the Kargil district of India, south of Ladakh. The administrative headquarters is located at Padum.
Etymology
Zanskar, also known as Zangskar is also often found to be written Zangskar in sociological studies or Zaskar in geographers reports or maps of the Himalaya fifty or so years ago. An etymological study (Snellgrove and Skorupsky, 1980) of the name “Zangskar” reveals that its origin might refer to the natural occurrence of copper within this region, the Tibetan word for which is Zangs.
The second syllable however seems to be more challenging as it has various meanings: Zangs-dkar (white copper), Zangs-mkhar (copper palace) or Zangs-sKar (copper star).
Crook (1994) partly shares this interpretation but suggests that the origin of this name might also be Zan-mKhar (food palace), because the staple food crops are so abundant in an otherwise rather arid region.
Some of the religious scholars of the district, also cited by Snellgrove and Skorupsky (1980) and Crook (1994), held that it was originally bZang-dKar, meaning good (or beautiful) and white. «Good» refers to the shape of the Padum plain which is triangular, the symbol of Dharma and religion, «white» refers to the simplicity, goodness and religious inclinations of the Zanskaris.
Thus, even if etymologically it would be more correct to use Zangskar, the most frequently found spelling for this region is undoubtedly Zanskar.
Geography
Zanskar is generally thought to be located on one of the highest plateaus in the world, covering a region of 7000 square kilometres at an elevation of between 3,500 and 7,000 metres. The Zanskar river, with its tributaries from the Khurana, Doda, and Tsarap rivers, provides the main source of water for the local inhabitants. However, the rivers and streams are frozen much of the year, contributing to its harsh climate.
Sparsely populated by a few hardy Khampa nomads, the Zanskar range acts as a main buffer zone between the Himalayas and the Tibetan Pleteau at the end of the range that stands in the Kinnaur region.
Climate
The arid climate of Zanskar is mainly the result of its great height. Covered by heavy snowfall between November and May, Zanskar has very little rainfall, especially during the summer and autumn months. Strong winds blow across the Zanskari plateau, and temperatures rarely rise above 15°C.
Flora and Fauna
Much of Zanskar's vegetation is found in the lower reaches of the valleys, and consists of alpine and tundra species. Crops including barley are grown by farmers at the lower elevations. Domesticated animals such as the yak are found in the region, providing the main source of food and transportation for the indigenous people.
History
Little is known of the history of Zanskar except for the fact that the first settlers, known as the Mon, came from the north. This was evidenced by their use of an petroglyphic script. The Dard subsequently came to settle in Zanskar in about 200 BCE, bringing an archaic form of Indian Buddhism and Hinduism with them.
In the 7th century, Zanskar was overrun by the Zhang Zhung kingdom of Tibet, bringing the first Tibetan people to Zanskar, which had been mainly populated by the nomadic Khampa. The newcomers loosely adhered to the Bön religion, which eventually gained a foothold in Zanskar until the 10th century, when Tibetan Buddhism came to Zanskar from Tibet, mixing with elements of archaic Indian Buddhist beliefs. Monasteries such as Karsha and Phugtal were constructed around this time.
Between the 10th and 15th centuries, Zanskar was a vassal state of Ladakh, often under the control of the members of the Ladakhi royal family. It was not until the 15th century that Ladakh exerted greater control over Zanskar. The Raja of Kullu invaded Zanskar in [[1822], and ruled for a brief period of twenty years. By 1834, however, the powers of the royal families were reduced to a near-nominal status.
With the formation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Zanskar was formally incorporated in 1842 under the control of the British, who later brought the first Christian missionaries to Ladakh. Border conflicts were non-existent until 1960, when China, Pakistan, and India fought against one another for territory, closing off the borders to the outside world until 1974.
Demographics
Zanskar's population is about 10,000, largely consisting of the scattered Khampa nomads. The people are of primarily Dard descent, although Tibetan strains can also be seen. About ten percent of the population is concentrated at Padum, with much of the remainder found in the villages of Karsha, Stongdey, Zangla, and Sani.
The majority of the people follow Tibetan Buddhism, influenced by Bön traditions. A sizeable Shia minority can be found in Padum.
Tourism
Zanskar is closed to tourists between November and May owing to its heavy snowfall. However, one can visit the exquisite beauty of the towns of Panikhar, Padum and Karshar during the hotter months. Trekking is the best method to gain full access in Zanskar, although one may hire a jeep to drive on the mountain passes during the hotter months.
The most notable tourist regions is Padum, the traditional capital of Zanskar. One can visit the Starrimo monastery, which houses a population of thirty monks. A small boulder of Buddhist rocks in Padum dating back to the 8th century suggests that the area was under Indian Buddhist influence.
Another prime attraction is the Penzel-la, situated at an elevation of 4,200 m in the Penzella range which seperates Zanskar from the Suru Valley and Ladakh. Its high elevation enables the alpine vegetation to grow, where it serves as the grazing ground for the native Zanskari ponies. Other animals include Marmots and the Brown Bear.
References
- Crook J., Osmaston H., (1994): Himalayan Buddhist Villages: Environment, Resources, Society and Religious Life in Zangskar, Ladakh.: Bristol, University of Bristol U.K., 866 p.
- Dèzes, p. (1999): Tectonic and metamorphic Evolution of the Central Himalayan Domain in Southeast Zanskar (Kashmir, India). Mémoires de Géologie (Lausanne) No. 32.
- Osmaston H. (1994): The Geology, Geomorphology and Quaternary History of Zangskar, Himalayan Buddhist Villages: Environment, Resources, Society and Religious Life in Zangskar, Ladakh.: Bristol, University of Bristol U.K., p. 866.
- Snellgrove D.L. & Skorupsky T. (1980): The cultural heritage of Ladakh: Warminster, Aris and Phillips.