Kargil district, Administrative district in Ladakh, India
Kargil district is an administrative area in Ladakh in northern India, covering high mountain ranges, deep valleys and the Suru River at an elevation of 2676 meters (8780 feet). The territory extends across three historical regions called Purig, Dras and Zanskar, which show different landscapes and settlement patterns.
The territory became contested during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 and later remained a site of military confrontations. The separation from Leh occurred in 1979, turning Kargil into an independent administrative district.
The population speaks several languages including Purgi, Balti and Zangskari, which have survived in the different valleys of the district. Villages along the Suru River show wooden houses with flat roofs and small mosques, while the Zanskar region preserves Buddhist monasteries.
National Highway 1D connects the territory with Srinagar and other parts of Ladakh, but is often blocked by snow from November through March. Travelers should bring warm clothing, as the elevation brings low temperatures and strong sun exposure.
The Dras region within the district is considered one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth, with winter temperatures well below freezing. Zanskar remains often cut off from the rest of the territory during winter months, forcing residents to walk across frozen rivers.
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