Central Asian Trade And Other Essays On Ladakh

As one will find out, it is not a book in the proper sense, only a collection of essays under one cover. These essays are mainly about the Central Asian Trade which affected the lives of in many ways for more than half a century.
The last three decades of the Nineteenth Century and first two of the present century could be called as the age of discovery of Central Asia and Tibet. Many distinguished Britons and European. explorers, geographers and surveyors came to Leh, from where caravans were arranged to proceed to many unexplored parts of these countries. Also, many British Army Officers came for games, to shoot ibexes and antelopes. To serve these sahibs, a group of young Argons lent their services as grooms, cooks and orderlies. Besides, being physically strong and enterprising they spoke both Turki and Tibetan well, which was another advantage for their masters and in my personal opinion, they enjoyed travelling and meeting challenges, like these Europeans.

When noted Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Man-to passed away in 1955, many glowing tributes were paid to him. Fellow Urdu writer Krishan Chander had commented on All India Radio, "The flag will not be lowered to mourn the death of Manto to-day. There will be no mourning because Manto is not a minister. He is an impoverished writer of coachmen, of tongas, barbers, washer men..."
Krishan Chander's words echoed through my mind on 23 June 2001, when Eliezer Joldan passed away at the age of 85. Eliezer Joldan was not a celebrity, famous soldiers or illustrious statesman. He was a mere teacher who shaped an entire generation with his dedication, honesty and truthfulness.
After the funeral, a meeting was held at the Moravian Mission School hall, where different people spoke about their memories of Joldan. One speaker said, "We may have our political and ideological differences but when it comes to Eliezer Joldan, we all speak in one voice to agree that he was a noble soul and above all controversies".
Later, his former students at Government High School, Leh organized a meeting in memory of Joldan. At this meeting, P Namgyal, former Union Minister and a pupil of Joldan, proposed that Government Degree College, Leh be named after Eliezer Joldan. Everyone agreed with the proposal and a memorandum was submitted to the government. Three years later, Government Degree College, Leh was officially renamed as Eliezer Joldan Memorial College, Leh.
Eliezer Joldan was born on 25th August 1916, in Leh. His grandfather Samuel Joldan was postmaster at Leh, while his father Jonathan Tharchin was an important trade official called Aksakal-a Turkish word for a person with a white beard or an elderly, venerable person. In 1940, Eliezer Joldan returned to Leh after finishing his B Ed degree from University of the Punjab, Lahore. His mother had witnessed the pomp and grandeur of her brother's lifestyle after he became a government officer. She, along with other relatives and friends, hoped that he would assume the coveted post of tehsildar given that there were very few well-educated Ladakhis in those days. The tehsildar was a very powerful official. When the tehsildar would walk through Leh bazaar, he would be preceded by a constable or peon with a whip to clear his path. If someone accidentally obstructed the tehsildar's path, he or she would receive a lash from the whip. People would stand in awe along the path of the tehsildar.
Eliezer Joldan, however, disappointed all his well wishers when he quietly joined Government Middle School, Leh as a teacher. He was determined to serve Ladakh as a teacher. He believed that sincere and dedicated teachers were needed to develop responsib e and conscientious citizens who would help Ladakhi society. progress and prosper. Eliezer Joldan served 25 years in Government High School, Leh, five years in Government High School, Kargil and about four years as principal of the teacher's training school, Leh. Many of his pupils became doctors, engineers, army officers, politicians, ministers and religious heads, while some joined the elite Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police Service.