Leh, located in Ladakh, had various names in the past. Some referred to it as Maryul or low land, while others called it Kha-chumpa. Fa-Hein knew it as Kia-Chha, and Hiuen Tsang as Ma-Lo-Pho. Historical records suggest that the initial immigrants to this region were the Brokpas from Dadarstan, settling in the lower reaches of the Indus Valley, commonly known as Sham. Another wave of immigrants, the Mons, of Aryan descent, arrived from Karja (Kulu) and initially established themselves in Gya. They later spread to Rong, Shayok, Sakti Tangtse, and Durbuk, covering the area from Martselang to Khaltsi. Gya served as the governmental center for the first Mon ruler, elected by the entire tribe. His realm encompassed the mentioned villages, all inhabited by the Mons people, and he held the title Gyapacho, signifying his authority over Gia.

The ancient population of Ladakh consisted of the Dards, an Indo-Aryan race. Immigrants from Tibet, Skardo, and nearby regions like Purang and Guge settled in Ladakh, sharing racial characteristics and cultures with the early inhabitants. Buddhism, originating from central India, made its way to Tibet through Ladakh, leaving a lasting influence. In the early 16th century, Islamic missionaries peacefully introduced Islam, while German Moravian Missionaries associated with the East India Company attempted conversion with limited success.

In the 10th century AD, Skit Lde Nemagon, the ruler of Tibet, invaded Ladakh during a time of decentralized authority. The fragmented principalities in conflict were gradually defeated by Nemagon, who established a powerful kingdom with Shey as its capital, situated 15 km from Leh. Since the middle of the 10th century, Ladakh functioned as an independent country.

Under the leadership of King Singge Namgyal, the Ladakhi Empire became a formidable kingdom. Singge Namgyal, recognized not only as a strong monarch but also as a statesman, diplomat, and builder, constructed the historic 9-story Leh Palace, garnering admiration from neighboring countries. Additionally, he promoted horse polo in Ladakh.

In ancient times, the present Leh district was part of Greater Ladakh, stretching from Kailash Mansarover to Swaat (Dardistan). Greater Ladakh was not under the influence of Tibet or its dominion. Although little information is available about ancient Ladakh’s history, references in Arab, Chinese, and Mongolian histories suggest fierce wars in the 7th century AD involving Tibet and China in the Baltistan area of Greater Ladakh, turning the deserts and barren mountains of Ladakh into battlegrounds.

In the 8th century AD, Arabs also participated in these wars, altering their alliances between China and Tibet. During this period, the ruler of Kashmir, Laltadita, conquered Ladakh. Arabs, having conquered Kashghar in the same century, established control over Central Asia, which embraced Islam in the 9th century AD. This resulted in the creation of a buffer state between Tibet and China, ending hostilities between the two nations and leading to the fragmentation of Greater Ladakh.

A thousand years ago, before Tibet’s rule, King Skitde Nemagon governed Ladakh, known as Muryul (Red Country) due to the red tinge of its mountains and soil. In the 10th century AD, Skitde Nemagon invaded Ladakh, then lacking central authority, and united the fragmented principalities under a strong central rule. The capital, Shey, became known as Nariskorsoom, a country of three provinces, but Western Tibet separated from the kingdom. Ladakh remained an independent country since the middle of the 10th century.

In the post-partition era, Pakistan and China illegally occupied 78,114 sq. km and 37,555 sq. km of the state, respectively. The remaining part of the state acceded to India. Pakistan also illegally ceded 5180 sq. km of this area to China. Ladakh, comprising the present Leh and Kargil districts, became one of the seven districts of the state. In 1979, during a district reorganization, Ladakh was divided into two fully-fledged districts: Leh and Kargil.

Buddhism and different sects in Ladakh

According to the book “Ratnagiri”, Buddhism came into Ladakh through Kashmir.It was Ashoka ,who sent missionaries during around 300 BC. During second century BC, a viharas called Surendra viharas were build in Suru valley. It is believed that Kushana empire always kept his interest in Ladakh during 1^st to 3^rd century BC. And during the reign of Kanishka from first half of second century, Buddhism became very popular Kashmir and in Ladakh. Large numbers of stupas were build. The Kanika Stupa at Sani in Zanskar is associated with Kanishka.

In the mid 7^th and 8^th century, Buddhism was having a hard time securing a foothold in Tibet which was then under the influence of the bon religion, a religion with animistic and totemistic belief. It was king Lang-Darma who was a great follower and protector of this religion. It was him who burned lots of Buddhist holy bibles or books and destroyed hundreds of Monasteries and Stupas. Later the Tibetan ruler king Tritsong Deotsen in order to bring peace and overcome this practices invited Guru Padmasambhava and monk Shaktarashita from India. Guru Padmasambhava during his quest to Tibet came across many practitioners of Bon religion who attempted stop him by casting spells on him. He instead awed them with his Tantric powers and bound then local deities by oath to become servants and protectors of the Buddha , Dharma and Sangha. He then established Tibet’s first Buddhist monastery at Samye and founded the first of four majiur schools of Tibetan Buddhism, “The Nyingmapa Schoo”. Guru Padmasambhava is often depicted in thankas (scroll paintings) and walls wearing three robes of the monk with a red cap or hat. It is said that enroute to Tibet, Guru came to Ladakh and meditated for some time thus by leaving fews marks at some places. The Bon religion is now heavily assimilated to Buddhism is still very much in practice in few parts of Tibet and adjacent countries.

In Ladakh, people practice and follow Tibetan way of Buddhism, which follows Mahayana and Vajrayana schools. Mahayana , “The Greater Vehicle”, teachings focuses on securing the enlightenment of all beings and believe in later commentaries made by great Buddhist saints and scholars. While Hinayana Buddhism is more focused on individual path to enlightenment.

Different schools of Tibetan Buddhism ;