Leh: A Cosmopolitan Haven
| Last Updated: March 12, 2013 at 2:08 PMThe film traces the genesis of Leh as a land of true cosmopolitan culture. Lying on the main trade routes across the mighty Himalayas, Leh has historically been a space where cultures have come and mixed.
Leh was an important stopover on trade routes along the Indus Valley. With Tibet to the east, Kashmir to the west, salt, grain, cashmere wool, indigo, silk yarn and Banaras brocade were the principal goods traded.
Mercantile relations brought on its trail different cultures and religions. Buddhists form a major chunk of Leh’s population, closely followed by Muslims. Hindus form a miniscule part of the populace. The Muslims came to Leh when Kashmir invaded Ladakh. Further migration of Muslims from Kashmir Valley for trade strengthened their numbers.
The ability to bring together a variety of cultures and histories continue till date with a vast medley of cultures and their influences coexisting side by side in Leh.
The video was first published on http://voiceof.india.com. Voiceof.India.com connects Indians to India and India to Indians – both at home and abroad. From insightful research papers to lectures by eminent speakers to latest events coverage to analysis, the content on Voiceof.India.com is as diverse as India.
First Published: March 12, 2013 at 2:08 PM
