Khalatse

Town in Union Territory of Ladakh

Village in Ladakh, India

Khalatse

Khaltse, Khalsi

Village

School children in Khalatse

Khalatse

Show map of Ladakh

Khalatse

Show map of India

Coordinates: 34°19′12″N 76°52′45″E﻿ / ﻿34.3200775°N 76.8793025°E﻿ / 34.3200775; 76.8793025
Country|  India
Union Territory|  Ladakh
District| Leh
Tehsil| Khalatse
Sub-Divisional Magistrate| Suhail Ahmad
Elevation

| 2,987 m (9,800 ft)
Population

(2011)

• Total

| 767
Time zone| UTC+5:30 (IST)
2011 census code| 948

Khalatse (Wylie: mkhar la rtse, THL: khar la tsé), often written as Khaltse or Khalsi, is the headquarters of the eponymous subdivision, block and tehsil in the Leh district of Ladakh, India.[1][2] It is located 95 km from Leh city on the old main road to Kargil, where it crosses the Indus over an iron bridge.[3] Much of its importance is because it is the place where the road from Kashmir debouches into the Indus Valley.[4]

Close by are the remains of an old fortified customs house.[5] Khaltsi is also the location of the upcoming new Sindhu Central University of Ladakh.[6][undue weight? – discuss]

## History

[edit]

Bridge at Khalatse. Photo taken first half of 20th century.

A fragmentary inscription at Khalatse carries the name 'Maharaja Uvima' which is attributed to the Kushan king, Vima Kadphises, who ruled in the 1st or early 2nd century CE.[7][8][9]

Lhachen Naglug (c. 1150-1175 CE), the king of Ladakh (then known as the Maryul kingdom), built a bridge across the Indus at the same site as the present bridge, and the Bragnag castle on the bank of the Indus, on the brook, about one mile (1.6 km) above the present village, to guard the bridge. It was built in competition with another bridge, the Babu Khar bridge, only three miles (4.8 km) away, and was clearly built to raise taxes from travellers. The castle is said to have been the first castle built in the country. The ruins of the castle and also the remains of extensive fields and watercourses are still visible. Lha chen Naglug also built the palace at Wanla.[10]

There are a number of ancient Dardic rock carvings nearby, including one of a Dard woman carrying a basket on her back, one of a man hunting antelopes, and some showing men with what appear to be flat hats, all costumes similar to the Dards of Da. In front of the ancient Dard castle at Khalatse is an inscription in an Indian language which probably dates from the period of Dard occupation.[11]

The German Moravian Church Mission, which opened in Leh in 1885 had a sub-station in Khalatse which remained open for the half a century prior to India's independence in 1947 and played a prominent role there with their medical and educational activities, but only made a few converts.[12]

At a cost of 750 crores, Khaltsi has been chosen as the location of the upcoming Central University in Ladakh. Its location was strategically chosen, being between the capitals of Kargil and Leh.[6]

Khalatse is also famous for its apricots.[13]

## Demographics

[edit]

Entering Khaltse by road from Srinagar, it is clear one is entering the heartland of Buddhism with its chortens or small stupas, mani stones and prayer flags. Upstream from Khalatse, and downstream on the right bank of the Indus, the people are almost all Buddhist. The ones downstream are mostly Brokpa or Dards.[14]

According to the 2011 census of India, Khaltse has 156 households. The effective literacy rate (i.e. the literacy rate of population excluding children aged 6 and below) is 86.27%.[15]

Demographics (2011 Census)[15] | Total | Male | Female

|
|
|

Population | 767 | 381 | 386
Children aged below 6 years | 68 | 36 | 32
Scheduled caste | 0 | 0 | 0
Scheduled tribe | 751 | 366 | 385
Literates | 603 | 324 | 279
Workers (all) | 381 | 202 | 179
Main workers (total) | 378 | 202 | 176
Main workers: Cultivators | 42 | 22 | 20
Main workers: Agricultural labourers | 3 | 1 | 2
Main workers: Household industry workers | 1 | 0 | 1
Main workers: Other | 332 | 179 | 153
Marginal workers (total) | 3 | 0 | 3
Marginal workers: Cultivators | 0 | 0 | 0
Marginal workers: Agricultural labourers | 0 | 0 | 0
Marginal workers: Household industry workers | 2 | 0 | 2
Marginal workers: Others | 1 | 0 | 1
Non-workers | 386 | 179 | 207

## Climate

[edit]

Climate data for Khalatse

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | −3.5
(25.7)  | −0.3
(31.5)  | 5.3
(41.5)  | 12.9
(55.2)  | 19.3
(66.7)  | 23.5
(74.3)  | 26.7
(80.1)  | 26.2
(79.2)  | 22.4
(72.3)  | 16.0
(60.8)  | 8.9
(48.0)  | 1.1
(34.0)  | 13.2
(55.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)  | −8.2
(17.2)  | −5.7
(21.7)  | 0.2
(32.4)  | 7.3
(45.1)  | 13.0
(55.4)  | 17.0
(62.6)  | 20.4
(68.7)  | 19.9
(67.8)  | 15.8
(60.4)  | 9.3
(48.7)  | 2.8
(37.0)  | −3.9
(25.0)  | 7.3
(45.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | −12.9
(8.8)  | −11.1
(12.0)  | −4.9
(23.2)  | 1.8
(35.2)  | 6.8
(44.2)  | 10.6
(51.1)  | 14.2
(57.6)  | 13.7
(56.7)  | 9.3
(48.7)  | 2.7
(36.9)  | −3.2
(26.2)  | −8.9
(16.0)  | 1.5
(34.7)
Average rainfall mm (inches)  | 32
(1.3)  | 33
(1.3)  | 46
(1.8)  | 23
(0.9)  | 19
(0.7)  | 7
(0.3)  | 11
(0.4)  | 11
(0.4)  | 13
(0.5)  | 7
(0.3)  | 5
(0.2)  | 17
(0.7)  | 224
(8.8)
Source: Climate-data.com[16]

Because Khalatse is about 400 metres lower than Leh, two crops can be grown each year rather than only one. By the time crops are being sown at Leh in late May, they are already half-grown at Khalatse. The first crop – usually of grim (naked barley – Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f., which is an ancient form of domesticated barley with an easier to remove hull) – from which tsampa, the staple food in Ladakh, is made) is usually harvested by mid-July and then other crops such as buckwheat, turnips and other vegetables are planted.[17]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Blockwise Village Amenity Directory" (PDF). Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
2. ^ Leh subdivision-blocks.
3. ^ Schettler, Rolf & Margaret. (1981). Kashmir, Ladakh & Zanskar. Lonely Planet. South Yarra, Vic., Australia. ISBN 0-908086-21-0. pp. 102–103.
4. ^ Rizvi 1996, p. 31.
5. ^ Rizvi 1996, p. 96.
6. ^ a b "Cabinet approves setting up central university in Ladakh". 23 July 2021.
7. ^ Stein, R. A. (1972). Tibetan Civilization, p. 36. Stanford University Press; ISBN 978-0-8047-0901-9.
8. ^ Narain, A. K. (1990). "Indo-Europeans in Inner Asia", p. 164. In: (1990). The Cambridge History of Early Inner Asia (Vol 1). Cambridge University Press. Editor: Denis Sinor. ISBN 978-0-521-24304-9.
9. ^ Bivar, A. D. H. (1993). "The History of Eastern Iran", p. 223. In: The Cambridge History of Iran, Volume 3: The Seleucid, Parthian and Sasanid Periods, Part 1 of 2. Editor: E. Yarshater. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-20092-9.
10. ^ Francke 1977, pp. 80, 92.
11. ^ Francke 1977, pp. 71–72.
12. ^ Rizvi 1996, p. 212.
13. ^ Rizvi 1996, p. 23.
14. ^ Rizvi 1996, p. 203.
15. ^ a b "Leh district census". 2011 Census of India. Directorate of Census Operations. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
16. ^ "Climate: Khalatse". Climate-data.com.
17. ^ Rizvi 1996, p. 38.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Francke, Rev. A. H. (1977) [1907], S. S. Gergan; F. M. Hassnain (eds.), A History of Western Tibet, Sterling Publishers – via archive.org
* Francke, A. H. (1914). Antiquities of Indian Tibet. Two Volumes. Calcutta. 1972 reprint: S. Chand, New Delhi.
* Schettler, Rolf & Margaret. (1981). Kashmir, Ladakh & Zanskar. Lonely Planet. South Yarra, Vic., Australia. ISBN 0-908086-21-0.
* Rizvi, Janet (1996), Ladakh: Crossroads of High Asia (Second ed.), Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-564016-8 – via archive.org

## External links

[edit]

* Khalatse to Marol (via Suru Valley), OpenStreetMap, retrieved 15 January 2023.
* Kargil–Dha–Khalatse Indus Valley Road, OpenStreetMap, retrieved 15 January 2023.

* v
* t
* e

Union Territory of Ladakh

Capital: Kargil; Leh

State symbols|

* Animal: Snow leopard
* Bird: Black-necked crane

History|

| Pre-Independent India|

* Maryul
* Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh
* Tibet–Ladakh–Mughal war
* Treaty of Tingmosgang
* Dogra–Tibetan War
* Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir

|

Post-Independent India|

* 1947–1948 India-Pakistan War
* 1948 military operations in Ladakh
* 1971 battle of Turtuk
* 2010 Ladakh floods
* 2019 Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh reorganisation

Conflicts|

* Demchok conflict
* India–China conflict
* India–Pakistan conflict
* Kashmir conflict
* Siachen conflict

Administration|

* Districts
* Politics of Ladakh
* Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil
* Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh
* Ladakh Police
* Ladakh Renewable Energy Development Agency
* Jammu and Kashmir High Court
* Lieutenant Governors
* Ladakh (Lok Sabha constituency)

Geography|

| General|

* Four types of Himalayan ranges
* Geology of the Himalaya

|

Ranges|

* Baltoro Muztagh
* Ladakh Range
* Saltoro Mountains
* Zanskar Range
* Kailash Range

Plateau|

* Depsang Plains
* More plains
* Sirijap
* Teram Shehr Plateau

Valleys|

* Leh
* Rupshu
* Salt Valley
* Mushkoh Valley
* Padum
* Shyok
* Suru Valley
* Nubra
* Zanskar
* Aryan valley

Glaciers|

* Chumik Glacier
* Drang-Drung Glacier
* Machoi Glacier
* Parkachik Glacier
* Shafat Glacier
* Siachen Glacier

Lakes|

* Tso Moriri
* Pangong Tso

Rivers|

* Sutlej
* Beas
* Ravi
* Shyok
* Chenab
* Drass River
* Indus
* Zanskar
* Tsarap
* Doda
* Yapola
* Suru River
* Markha
* Galwan
* Chip Chap

Passes|

* Bilafond La
* Chang la
* Fotu La
* Gyong La
* Indira Col
* Karakoram Pass
* Khardung La
* Kongka Pass
* Lachulung La
* Taglang La
* Marsimik La
* Namika La
* Pensi La
* Rezang La
* Rimo
* Sasser Pass
* Sia La
* Shingo La
* Spanggur Gap
* Zoji La

Mountain peaks|

* Bana Top
* Chumik Kangri
* Ghent Kangri
* Gurung Hill
* India Saddle
* K12
* Saltoro Kangri
* Sherpi Kangri
* Tiger Saddle

Human
settlements|

* Meenamarg
* Burtse
* Chalunka
* Chemrey
* Chushul
* Daulat Beg Oldi
* Demchok
* Diskit
* Dras
* Dzingrulma
* Fukche
* Hemis
* Hanle
* Kargil
* Khalatse
* Leh
* Likir
* Murgo
* Nimo
* Nyoma
* Padum
* Panamik
* Purne
* Rangdum
* Sankoo
* Sasoma
* Shey
* Shyok
* Thiksey
* Thoise
* Turtuk
* Ukdungle
* Upshi
* Zangla

Culture|

| General|

* Music of Ladakh

|

Languages|

* Ladakhi
* Purgi
* Balti
* Zangskari
* Changthang
* Brokskat

Festivals|

* Bono-na festival

Tourism and
wildlife|

| Wildlife|

* Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary
* Hemis National Park
* Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary

|

Tourism|

* Khurnak Fort
* Ladakh Marathon
* Shanti Stupa, Ladakh
* Siachen Base Camp

Indo-Tibetan
Buddhist monasteries|

* Alchi
* Bardan
* Basgo
* Chemrey
* Diskit
* Hanle
* Hemis
* Hundur
* Korzok
* Karsha
* Lamayuru
* Likir
* Lingshed
* Mashro/Matho Monastery
* Mulbekh
* Namgyal Tsemo
* Phugtal
* Phyang
* Rangdum
* Rizong
* Sani
* Sankar
* Saspul
* Shey Monastery
* Spituk
* Stakna
* Stok
* Stongdey
* Takthok
* Thikse
* Tserkarmo
* Tonde
* Wanla
* Zangla
* Zongkul

Transport|

| Airports|

* Kargil Airport
* Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (Leh)
* Military AGLs

|

Roads|

* Darbuk–Shyok–DBO Road
* India-China Border Roads
* Leh–Manali Highway
* NH1 Leh–Kargil–Srinagar Highway
* Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road (under construction)
* Sasoma–Saser La Road

Railway|

* Bhanupli–Leh line (Planned)
* Srinagar–Leh line (Planned)

Infrastructure|

| General|

* Indian Astronomical Observatory

|

Dams
and hydroelectric project|

* Chutak
* Dumkhar
* Salal

Education|

* Central Institute of Buddhist Studies
* Defence Institute of High Altitude Research
* Druk White Lotus School
* Eliezer Joldan Memorial College Leh, Ladakh
* Government Degree College, Kargil
* Phuktal Monastic School
* Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh
* University of Ladakh

See also|

| Borders|

* Line of Actual Control
* Line of Control
* Actual Ground Position Line

|

Other|

* Curious BRO roadsigns

* v
* t
* e

Leh district

Cities and Towns|

* Leh (Municipal Committee)
* Choglamsar (Census Town)
* Spituk (Census Town)

Tehsils
and
villages|

| Durbuk|

* Chushul
* Durbok
* Kargyam
* Man Pangong
* Shachokol
* Tangtse

|

Khalsi
(Khaltsi)|

* Dah
* Dah Hanu
* Damkhar
* Fotoksar
* Hanu
* Kanji
* Khalatse
* Lamayuru
* Leido
* Lingshet
* Nurla
* Skinlingyong
* Skur Buchan
* Takmachik
* Temisgam
* Tia
* Wanla
* Youl Chung

Kharu|

* Changa
* Chemrey
* Gia
* Hemis
* Igoo
* Khargu
* Kharoo
* Langokor
* Matselang
* Meroo
* Phuktse
* Serthi
* Shang
* Shara
* Sharnose
* Upshi

Leh|

* Chuchat Yakma
* Chuchot Gongma
* Chuchot Shama
* Fiang
* Mathoo
* Nang
* Phey
* Rambir Por
* Saboo
* Sakti
* Shey
* Stakna
* Stok
* Thiksey

Likir|

* Alchi
* Bazgoo
* Chiling Sumda
* Giramangu
* Hemis Shukpachan
* Likir
* Ney
* Nimo
* Rumbak
* Saspochey
* Skiumarkha
* Suspol
* Tarhipti
* Taroo
* Umla

Nyoma|

* Anlay
* Chumar
* Chumathang
* Demchok
* Hanle
* Himya
* Karzok
* Kerey
* Kharnak
* Koyul
* Kumgyam
* Liktse
* Mood
* Nyoma
* Samad Rakchan
* Skitmang
* Tarchit
* Teri
* Tukla
* Ukdungle

Sumur
(Nubra)|

* Bogdang
* Chalunkha
* Chamshan Charasa
* Digger
* Diskit
* Hundar
* Hundar Dok
* Hundri
* Khalsar
* Khardong
* Khemakhungiu
* Khemi
* Kubed
* Lakjung
* Largiab
* Murgo
* Panamic
* Partap Pore
* Skanpuk
* Skuru
* Sumoor
* Takshi
* Tangyar
* Tegar
* Terchey
* Thang
* Thoise
* Turtuk
* Udmaru
* Warisfistan

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template