Hi there,
The weather here is fast chaning as we move into Autumn cold especially during morning and evenings.
However, it is still very warm in the day very piercing heat that would turn the leaves golden yellow soon.
The year has been quite good in spite of undergoing the pain and resting due to fracture of the lower bone of my leg near ankle.
But then things began to roll very fast and and I went through the routine of cure one after the other.
Today I would like to share something about the history of the old town of Leh which had been the seat of the former Namgyal rulers of Ladakh.
Whose reign having begun with the coming of King Tashi Namgyal during the year 1500-30 during early 16th century C.E.
Who once again consolidated Ladakh into one entity, he was the younger son of King Rinchen Namgyal or Bhagan his nick name, elder being Lhawang Namgyal.
During this period the hamlet or the settlement was on the other side of Leh hill known by the name of the Chubi area of equifier and meadows.
The Leh valley was much deserted with agriculture fields with tiny communities of Chamspa, Gompa, Ganglas, Samkar, Tukcha, Sheynam, and Leh or the Oasis.
During these period there was the fear of unforeseen vandalism or Chakgyap by people of neighbouring regions therefore the King built his fort at the peak of Leh hill which later came to be known as the Namgyal Tsemo or victorious peak.
One of the oldest structure in old town is the construction of three Maitreya temples one near the Namgyal Tsemo fort, next near the middle and last one at the base or the foothills of Leh hill.
These were built by the most pious King Tragpa Bumlde in the mid 15th century on the advise of the Je Tsongkha pa the founder of the reformist school of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism stating that these would bring peace and tranquility in the region.
Then we have the most iconic landmark structure of the Leh old town the 17th century nine storeyed Palace of Leh whose foundation was laid down by the King Jamyang Namgyal and the Palace built by his famous son King Singe Namgyal.
This is also the first time when the royal Queen mother was a Balti princess of Skardo region of Balti land in the west which brought in hundreds of Balti families into Ladakh along with the Balti princess namely Salima Khatoon.
To young King Singe Namgyal, wife was brought from the royal family of Rubsho region near the lake Tsomoriri.
Which enhanced the King Singe Namgyal to have access over the resourceful region Ngari Skorsoom region near Mt. Kailash and Mansorvar lake.
The Kings treasure filled with wealth that also led to the completion of most imposing Palace in the entire Tibetan plateau ‘Lehchen Spalkhar’ of Leh.
Besides the Leh old town has the historic Jamia Masjid, ancient Moravian church, Balti Matam Sarai, Hindu and Sikh temples.
Which came with changing times and new rulers that over took the charge of administration in the mid 19th century of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir and later the coming of the British rule after 1885 onwards. Bye for now!