2021-07-15 Thu

A Neolithic rock carving depicted that Ladakh has been inhabited from ancient times. According to Herodotus, Nearchus, Megasthenes, Pliny, Ptolemy and Puranas, Ladakh was inhabited by Indo-Aryans of Mons and Dards. During the 1st century AD, Ladakh was under Kushan rule. In the 2nd century, Buddhism was widespread in the eastern part of Ladakh while the western part was dominated by the Bon religion.

Due to its topographical extent, it came under the influence of Tibet from the east and the Chinese from Central Asia in the 8th century. Control over Ladakh changed regularly from China to Tibet and vice versa. King Nyima-Gon was feudatory of the Tibetan empire who broke out from his original Tibet Empire and established the kingdom in Ladakh. This led to the migration of the Tibetan population to Ladakh and Buddhism philosophy flourished for the second time from the northwest side. He established his kingdom in the eastern side of present-day Ladakh.

An adjoined image is of a silver Ja’u coin that got issued from Ladakh. The coin had a plain border and ‘Mahmud Shah’ is inscribed on it.

Image Courtesy: Mintage World