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Total Categories: 6
Ladakh is characterized as India's lowest plateau, with the majority of its territory situated below 3,000 meters.
Answer: False
This assertion is factually inaccurate. Ladakh is recognized as India's highest plateau, with most of its area situated significantly above 3,000 meters (approximately 9,800 feet).
For Ladakh, a high-altitude desert region, the principal source of water is derived from summer monsoon precipitation.
Answer: False
Due to its location in a rain shadow, Ladakh receives minimal monsoon rainfall. Its primary water sources are the winter snowfall accumulated on the mountains and glacial melt.
Winter temperatures in Ladakh commonly range from -20 to -35°C, while summers are characterized by short, pleasant conditions.
Answer: True
Ladakh experiences harsh winters with temperatures frequently dropping to -20 to -35°C. Summers are brief but generally pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 3°C to 35°C.
The phenomenon of the Zanskar River freezing solid during winter enables the renowned Chadar trek.
Answer: True
The annual freezing of the Zanskar River creates a unique ice path, commonly known as the Chadar, which facilitates the famous winter trek.
Estimates suggest approximately 200 snow leopards inhabit Ladakh, with Hemis High Altitude National Park serving as a crucial habitat for the species.
Answer: True
Hemis High Altitude National Park is a significant sanctuary for the elusive snow leopard, with the regional population estimated to be around 200 individuals.
The Ladakhi urial, a mountain sheep endemic to the region, possesses a population estimated to be less than 3,000 individuals.
Answer: True
The Ladakhi urial, a unique species native to Ladakh, faces conservation challenges, with its population estimated at fewer than 3,000 individuals.
Geographically, the Ladakh region is best characterized as:
Answer: A high-altitude desert
Ladakh's unique geography places it within the classification of a high-altitude desert, defined by its arid climate and elevated terrain.
Ladakh's geographical landscape is defined by the presence of which major mountain ranges?
Answer: The Himalayas and the Kunlun Ranges
The geography of Ladakh is significantly shaped by the confluence of the Himalayas and the Kunlun mountain ranges, along with others like the Karakoram and Zanskar.
What constitutes the primary source of water for agricultural activities in Ladakh?
Answer: Winter snowfall on the mountains
Agricultural practices in Ladakh are sustained primarily by water derived from the melting of winter snowfall accumulated on the surrounding mountains.
The snow leopard, a rare predator inhabiting Ladakh, is estimated to have a population of:
Answer: Around 200 individuals
The population of snow leopards within Ladakh is estimated to be approximately 200 individuals, highlighting their status as a rare species.
The name 'Ladakh' is derived from Persian, signifying 'land of high passes'.
Answer: False
The name 'Ladakh' originates from Tibetan ('La dwags'), meaning 'land of high passes'. While the English spelling may have Persian influences, the primary etymological root is Tibetan.
Historically, Ladakh was known as Maryul and was referred to as 'Great Tibet' by medieval Islamic scholars.
Answer: True
Historical records indicate that Ladakh was known as Maryul. Medieval Islamic scholars referred to it as 'Great Tibet', distinguishing it from surrounding regions sometimes called 'Little Tibets'.
Buddhism commenced its spread into western Ladakh during the 2nd century CE, with origins in Kashmir.
Answer: True
Buddhism began its dissemination into western Ladakh during the 2nd century CE, originating from the region of Kashmir. The 7th-century traveler Xuanzang documented the area, referring to it as 'Mo-lo-so'.
Following the fragmentation of Tibet in the 9th century, Kyide Nyimagon established a West Tibetan kingdom, subsequently dividing the territory among his sons, with one inheriting Ladakh.
Answer: True
Kyide Nyimagon founded a West Tibetan kingdom after the 9th-century fragmentation of Tibet. His empire was later partitioned among his three sons, with one son receiving control over Ladakh and adjacent territories, forming the basis of the first West Tibetan dynasty of Maryul.
Prominent Islamic missionaries, including Sayyid Ali Hamadani, exerted significant influence in Ladakh during the period spanning the 1380s to the early 1510s, fostering the propagation of Islam.
Answer: True
The period between the 1380s and early 1510s saw the influential work of Islamic missionaries such as Sayyid Ali Hamadani, Sayyid Muhammad Nur Baksh, and Mir Shamsuddin Iraqi in Ladakh, leading to conversions and the establishment of mosques.
The Tibet-Ladakh-Mughal War of 1679-1684 concluded with a treaty that significantly curtailed Ladakh's autonomy.
Answer: True
The conflict, which occurred when Ladakh allied with Bhutan against Tibet, concluded with the Treaty of Tingmosgang in 1684. This treaty imposed significant restrictions on Ladakh's independence.
The Tibetan etymological interpretation of the name 'Ladakh' translates to:
Answer: Land of high passes
The Tibetan term 'La dwags', from which 'Ladakh' is derived, signifies 'land of high passes'.
What archaeological evidence indicates that Ladakh has been inhabited since the Neolithic period?
Answer: Rock carvings discovered throughout the region
The discovery of rock carvings across Ladakh provides evidence of human habitation dating back to Neolithic times, predating later nomadic and settled populations.
Which historical figure founded the West Tibetan kingdom, whose subsequent division led to one of his sons governing Ladakh?
Answer: Kyide Nyimagon
Kyide Nyimagon is credited with establishing the West Tibetan kingdom in the 9th century. The partition of this kingdom resulted in one of his sons assuming control over Ladakh.
The integration of Islam into the Leh area during the early 17th century was facilitated by an invasion and subsequent royal marriage involving which group?
Answer: Balti forces
An invasion by Balti forces in the early 17th century, followed by a royal marriage, led to the settlement of Muslims and the introduction of Islam in the Leh region.
The Tibet-Ladakh-Mughal War, concluding in 1684, was formally ended by which treaty?
Answer: Treaty of Tingmosgang
The Treaty of Tingmosgang, signed in 1684, brought an end to the Tibet-Ladakh-Mughal War, significantly impacting Ladakh's political autonomy.
In 1834, General Zorawar Singh, acting under the authority of the Sikh Empire, annexed Ladakh to the principality of Jammu.
Answer: True
Zorawar Singh, a military commander serving Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu, successfully invaded and annexed Ladakh in 1834, incorporating it into the territories under the Sikh Empire's influence.
During the Dogra administration, Ladakh was organized into three tehsils, with its administrative headquarters alternating between Leh and Skardu.
Answer: True
Under Dogra rule, Ladakh was structured as a 'wazarat' and divided into three tehsils: Leh, Skardu, and Kargil. The administrative headquarters were indeed rotated semi-annually between Leh and Skardu.
The Kargil War of 1999 was characterized by significant Pakistani military infiltration into Western Ladakh, notably affecting the Kargil and Dras sectors.
Answer: True
The Kargil War involved incursions by Pakistani forces into strategic areas of Western Ladakh, including Kargil and Dras, which overlook critical routes along the Line of Control.
Following the conclusion of the First Anglo-Sikh War, Ladakh was incorporated into which overarching administrative structure?
Answer: The Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir
After the First Anglo-Sikh War, Ladakh became part of the newly established Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir, which operated under British suzerainty.
During the period of Dogra rule, into how many administrative tehsils was Ladakh subdivided?
Answer: Three
The Dogra administration organized Ladakh into three distinct tehsils: Leh, Skardu, and Kargil.
The Sino-Indian War, a significant conflict between India and China, took place in 1962 and had direct implications for the Ladakh region.
Answer: True
The 1962 Sino-Indian War resulted in territorial changes and strategic realignments affecting Ladakh, particularly concerning the Aksai Chin region.
The Kargil War of 1999 was primarily contested along which specific geopolitical boundary?
Answer: The Line of Control in Western Ladakh
The 1999 Kargil War primarily occurred along the Line of Control in the Western Ladakh region, following Pakistani military incursions.
Ladakh is administered by India as a union territory situated in the northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent.
Answer: True
Ladakh is indeed administered by India as a union territory, located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, constituting the eastern portion of the larger Kashmir region.
Ladakh was officially constituted as a union territory on October 31, 2019, culminating decades of advocacy for distinct territorial status.
Answer: True
The establishment of Ladakh as a union territory on October 31, 2019, followed sustained demands rooted in cultural distinctiveness and perceived political marginalization, formalized by the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act.
As of recent administrative changes, Ladakh is divided into seven districts, including the historically recognized Leh and Kargil.
Answer: True
While Leh and Kargil were the primary districts, recent administrative restructuring has expanded the district count to seven, including newly announced districts such as Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang.
Governed as a union territory lacking a legislative assembly, Ladakh's administration is overseen by a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President of India.
Answer: True
The administrative framework for Ladakh, as a union territory without a legislature, designates a Lieutenant Governor, appointed by the President of India, as the chief administrator.
The Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil maintain their operational capacity, contributing to local governance subsequent to Ladakh's designation as a union territory.
Answer: True
Post-union territory formation, the established Autonomous Hill Development Councils for Leh and Kargil continue to play a vital role in local policy and development, collaborating with village panchayats.
What is the current primary administrative classification of Ladakh within the Indian political structure?
Answer: A union territory administered by India
Ladakh is administered by India as a union territory, a status formalized on October 31, 2019, following the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act.
Which nations are engaged in territorial disputes involving the Ladakh region?
Answer: India and Pakistan, and India and China
Ladakh is situated in a geopolitically sensitive area, subject to territorial disputes between India and Pakistan since 1947, and between India and China since 1959.
Identify the principal town and administrative headquarters of a district within Ladakh.
Answer: Leh
Leh serves as the largest town and the administrative headquarters for the Leh district, a key urban center in the region.
In comparison with other Indian union territories, how does Ladakh rank in terms of geographical area and population size?
Answer: Largest by area, second least populous
Ladakh holds the distinction of being the largest union territory by area in India, while also being the second least populous.
What was the principal rationale underpinning the sustained demand for Ladakh's elevation to separate territory status?
Answer: Cultural differences with Kashmir and perceived unfair treatment
The long-standing demand for separate territory status stemmed primarily from perceived political marginalization and cultural distinctiveness relative to the administration in Kashmir.
Identify the administrative division that is NOT among the five newly announced districts in Ladakh, excluding the historically primary districts of Leh and Kargil.
Answer: Kargil
While Nubra, Drass, and Zanskar are among the newly announced districts, Kargil is one of the two historically established districts and not part of the 'five new' additions.
What is the governing mechanism for Ladakh, a union territory operating without a legislative assembly?
Answer: By a Lieutenant Governor assisted by civil servants
As a union territory without a legislature, Ladakh's governance is administered by a Lieutenant Governor, supported by appointed civil servants.
In the Kargil district, the predominant mother tongue is Purgi, whereas Ladakhi (Bauti) is primarily spoken in the Leh district.
Answer: True
Linguistic patterns in Ladakh show Purgi as the main language in Kargil district, while Ladakhi, also known as Bauti, is the predominant tongue spoken in Leh district.
'Gurgur cha' is a traditional Ladakhi dish prepared from roasted barley flour, analogous to Tibetan tsampa.
Answer: False
'Gurgur cha' refers to the traditional Ladakhi butter tea, prepared with churned green tea, butter, and salt. Roasted barley flour is used for dishes like tsampa.
Ladakhi musical traditions are predominantly secular folk songs, devoid of significant religious influence.
Answer: False
Ladakhi music is deeply intertwined with religious practices, featuring religious chanting and integral roles in festivals, alongside secular folk traditions.
Ice hockey holds the position of the most popular sport in Ladakh, with games frequently conducted on natural ice formations during winter.
Answer: True
Ice hockey is widely regarded as the most popular sport in Ladakh, played extensively on frozen surfaces during the winter season. Cricket also enjoys considerable popularity.
Traditionally, women in Ladakh possess a low social standing and exhibit restricted emancipation relative to their counterparts in other rural Indian communities.
Answer: False
Contrary to the statement, women in Ladakh have traditionally enjoyed a high social status and a notable degree of emancipation, influenced by customs such as fraternal polyandry and primogeniture.
Tibetan medicine, referred to locally as 'amchi' medicine, has served as the established traditional health system in Ladakh for more than a thousand years.
Answer: True
The practice of Tibetan medicine, or 'amchi' medicine, has been integral to healthcare in Ladakh for over a millennium, integrating elements of Ayurvedic and Chinese medical traditions with Buddhist philosophy.
The Ladakh Marathon is acknowledged as one of the highest-altitude marathons globally, with race elevations reaching up to 5,370 meters.
Answer: True
Established as a premier event, the Ladakh Marathon is distinguished as one of the world's highest-altitude races, with participants navigating extreme elevations up to 5,370 meters.
Based on the 2011 census data, what is the second most prevalent religious demographic group in Ladakh?
Answer: Buddhists
The 2011 census indicates that Muslims constitute the largest religious group in Ladakh, followed by Buddhists as the second-largest demographic.
Which traditional health system, with a history spanning over a millennium, is widely practiced in Ladakh?
Answer: Tibetan medicine ('amchi' medicine)
Tibetan medicine, known locally as 'amchi' medicine, represents the enduring traditional healthcare system in Ladakh, practiced for over a thousand years.
Identify from the options provided a traditional Ladakhi soup-pasta dish mentioned in the source material.
Answer: Skyu
Skyu is recognized as a traditional Ladakhi soup-pasta dish, alongside others like Thukpa and Chutagi.
What distinguishes the Ladakh Marathon as a notable sporting event?
Answer: It is one of the world's highest marathons.
The Ladakh Marathon holds significance as one of the highest-altitude marathons globally, presenting unique challenges to participants due to the extreme elevations.
Which cultural practice is integral to Ladakhi religious festivals, frequently serving to narrate narratives of the triumph of good over evil?
Answer: Religious mask dances
Religious mask dances are a significant cultural component of Ladakhi festivals, often employed to depict moral tales and the victory of virtue.
Shahtoosh, a highly valued wool, is procured from the Tibetan antelope (chiru) via a process of shearing that does not result in harm to the animal.
Answer: False
The collection of shahtoosh wool from the Tibetan antelope involves hunting and killing the animal, making the statement that it is obtained without harm factually incorrect.
Tourism constitutes a negligible component of Ladakh's economy, with agriculture serving as its exclusive significant economic driver.
Answer: False
While agriculture is foundational, tourism plays a crucial and substantial role in Ladakh's economy, contributing significantly to its Gross National Product.
The concerted promotion of tourism in Ladakh commenced in 1974, yielding substantial economic benefits alongside emerging environmental challenges.
Answer: True
Since 1974, government initiatives have actively promoted tourism in Ladakh. This sector has become a major economic contributor, though increased visitor numbers have raised environmental concerns.
National Highway 1 (NH1) provides the primary road link between Srinagar, Kargil, and Leh, whereas National Highway 3 (NH3) connects Manali to Leh.
Answer: True
NH1 is the crucial artery connecting Srinagar to Kargil and Leh, while NH3 serves as the vital route linking Manali to Leh, both essential for regional connectivity.
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh functions as the region's principal civilian airport, providing daily flight services to Delhi.
Answer: True
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh is the primary civilian aviation hub for the region, offering regular daily flights connecting to Delhi and other major cities.
Historically, Ladakh derived significant importance from its strategic position as:
Answer: A key location on major trade routes
Ladakh's historical significance was largely due to its location at the nexus of crucial Central Asian trade routes, facilitating commerce and cultural exchange.
What specific geopolitical development in the 1960s led to a substantial decline in Ladakh's international trade?
Answer: The closure of borders between Tibet and Ladakh by Chinese authorities
The closure of the borders between Tibet and Ladakh by Chinese authorities in the 1960s critically impacted and significantly reduced Ladakh's traditional international trade routes.
What is the primary significance of the Tibetan antelope ('chiru') in the context of Ladakh?
Answer: Its wool (shahtoosh) is highly prized but obtained by killing the animal.
The Tibetan antelope is significant due to its highly prized wool, shahtoosh, which is obtained through hunting, leading to the animal's endangerment.
Which National Highway serves as the critical road link connecting Manali to Leh?
Answer: NH3
National Highway 3 (NH3) provides the essential road connection between Manali and Leh, facilitating transport and access to the region.