Religious History of Ladakh

Ladakh has its unique importance as it is surrounded by some important republics of Central Asia. The present book contains history of Christianity in Ladakh; History of Buddhism in Ladakh, and Islam in Ladakh. The book will help readers and researchers to know how Ladakh is being influenced by the above religious in the past and how the eco-cultural and religious changes are taking place in the passage of time.

Ladakh has its unique importance as it is surrounded by some important republics of central Asia viz. China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Soviet Union. Because of delicate binding of Buddhist culture currents, Ladakh life style being inference through the ages. Buddhist missionaries for illustration came in Ladakh hundreds year before Christ. However, during 10th century A.D. when Rin-chen-bzang-po visited Ladakh, Buddhism strongly holds its position, latter Ladakh Kings also patronaged this religion. Today Ladakh autonomous hill development council Leh has two main responsibilities- to preserve the Buddhist identity and to sustain the economic development.

The present volume is the product of three chapters written by the eminent scholars of Ladakh. The first chapter deals with "The history of Christianity in Ladakh". In this chapter Fr. George Mampillil made a thorough study of Christianity in Ladakh since the arrival of St. Thomas the Apostte in 52 A.D. till today.

The second chapter is written by Dr. Prem Singh Jina on "Buddhism in Ladakh". It offers an insight view of Buddhism in Ladakh. The author has referred several historical documents to substantiate his views.

Dr. Prem Singh Jina and Zain-ul-Abidin written third chapter on "Islam in Ladakh". Authors in this paper endeavored to search the process of Islamic cultural interaction in Buddhist society of Ladakh from ancient times to present days.

Therefore, this book covers the history of three religions viz. Buddhism, Christianity and Islam of Ladakh which will help the readers and researchers to know how Ladakh being influenced by the above religions in past and how the eco-cultural and religious changes are taking place in the passage of time? Thus this book will pave the way to study further the various aspects of religious cultural heritage of Ladakh.