Workshop on Stupa conservation

STATE TIMES NEWS
LEH: A training cum workshop on Chorten (Stupa) building and conservation began at Leh on Thursday. The training workshop is organised for 15-days by the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF) with financial supports from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Jammu and Kashmir Government as granted by Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora.
The training workshop was inaugurated at HCHF’s office at Lonpo House by renowned research scholar, Gelong Thupstan Paldan who gave detailed introduction about the significance of different types of Chortens.
He expressed concerns over the use of all kinds of materials while building different stupas in today’s time because the centuries old monuments, which are still in good shape and attract thousands of visitors, are made solely with the use of local materials. Yet they have survived for centuries despite being in one of world’s most inhospitable climate with occasional heavy rain falls and snowfalls.
While welcoming the participants, secretary, Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation Dr Sonam Wangchok said that the land of Ladakh is dotted with countless religious and historical monuments built centuries ago by Ladakh’s ancestors and it is the duty of this generation to preserve them in its pristine form for future generations.
“The training workshop on Chorten building and conservation is a part of several successful and important activities taken up by HCHF in recent years,” added Dr Wangchok. Masons from different villages of Ladakh will be trained by two octogenarians Chorten experts, Tsering Tundup and Gelong Paldan Sonam, during the two week-long training. Several renowned scholars, Geshe and architects are expected to give special presentations related to monument conservation in Ladakh.
To impart hands on training for the masons, conservation of some old and historical Chorten in Chemdey would be under taken during the workshop and the participants would be taken to several historical sites in different villages of Ladakh where historical monuments need urgent attention for immediate restoration and preservation.
In today’s era of modernisation and development, different historical monuments are being damaged while executing construction of roads and buildings and many historical monuments are at the verge of extinction.
Keeping this urgency in mind Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora had asked HCHF to come up with a proposal for training masons and to bring awareness about preservation of historical monuments which are the signs of a vibrant culture that has thrived in Ladakh for centuries despite harsh climatic conditions.

Courtesy: www.statetimes.in                                      October 26th, 2012

Tibetan finch rediscovered

Reported on the BBC site observations of Sillem's Mountain Finch have not been recorded since 1929. However, in June this year a French nature photographer took photos of a single bird seen with a flock of Tibetan Rosefinch, the image has since been confirmed as the 'lost' finch. So, if you are trekking at altitude in Ladakh it may well be worth looking out for a Sillem's, don't just dismiss flocks of Rosefinch, Brandt's or Plain Mountain Finch, look closely for that rare Sillem's Mountain Finch!

The Peaceniks prevail over the Realists: India and Pakistan sign new visa pact
http://kafila.org/2012/09/09/the-peaceniks-prevail-over-the-realists-india-and-pakistan-sign-new-visa-pact/

September 9, 2012

tags: India-Pakistan, India-Pakistan visa pact

by Shivam Vij

While the new visa pact between India and Pakistan is a landmark achievement, it still leaves a lot to be desired to make easier travel possible for the citizens of the two countries. Some suggestions are given in the Aman ki Asha petition, which you may want to sign here. While the full text of the pact does not seem to be online at this time, the most detailed story about the pact has been put out by the ASSOCIATED PRESS OF PAKISTAN, reproduced below. It is not clear when the new regulations come into force.

 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India on Saturday signed new liberalised visa regime giving more concessions and simplifying the procedure to grant visa with a view to promote people-to-people contacts and enhance trade and business activities between two neighbours.

 

The new visa regime agreement was signed by Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna and Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

 

According to the new visa regime, more concessions have been given to the businessmen from both the countries with giving them multiple entry one year visa with the exemption from the Police Report and with increasing the number of cities.

 

Group Tourist Visa

A new category of Group Tourist Visa has been introduced under which a group of 10 to 50 persons will get Group Tourist visa which will be valid for 30 days and it will be managed by the registered tour operators from both the countries.

 

This type of visa will be organised by approved tour operators and travel agents to furnish details of 45 days in advance.

 

The tour operator will be responsible for police report on behalf of the group and the list of designated tour operators as well as list of approved identified routes and tourists destinations will be exchanged by both sides from time to time.

 

In this category, the group tourist visa facility will also be available to students of educational institutions of both countries, however, this will be a tourist visa only and not for seeking admission in educational institutions of either country.

 

Diplomatic/ Non-diplomatic Visa

A Diplomatic Visa will be issued within a period of 30 days and it will be valid for the place and duration of assignment of the diplomats instead of previously one year visa.

In the category of non-diplomatic visa, previously there was no mention of time frame and now under the new visa regime agreement, it will be issued within a period of 45 days.

 

Official visit and visitor visa

In the category of official visit, the visa will be valid for 15 days as compared to previous term of one month.

 

In the category of visitor visa, there was single entry and validity was 30 days, for meeting with relatives, friends, businessmen but now it will be single entry to be issued for period of six months but stay will not be exceed for three months and it will be for five places instead of current three places.

However, Business Visa has been separated from visitor’s visa and now under a new category, a visitor visa will be issued for a maximum for five specified places and it will be for two years with multiple entries to the senior citizens above the age of 65, spouse of a national of one country married to persons of another country and children below 12 years of age accompanying parents.

 

In the transit visa category, previously it was issued for 72hours but now it will be issued for 36 hours.

Business Visa

According to the new visa regime, in the category of Business Visa, visa was for three months with single entry in the past but under the new visa regime, businessmen with an income of Rs0.1 million or equivalent per annum or annual turnover or gross sale of Rs3 million or equivalent will be given one year business visa with five places for up to four entries.

 

Under new visa regime, businessmen with an income of at least Rs5 million or equivalent per annum or turnover of Rs30 million or equivalent per annum will be given one year multiple entry business visa for up to ten places with exemption from Police Reporting.

 

Under the new visa agreement, the visa shall specify that the period of stay of the businessman at a time shall not exceed 30days.

 

The maximum time taken in processing of a business visa will not exceed more than five weeks.

Pilgrim Visa

In the category of Pilgrim Visa, under the new visa regime, pilgrim visas will be issued to pilgrims intending to visit religious shrines as per the 1974 protocol on visits to religious shrines, or any future revision to the protocol.

 

Such visas need to be applied at least 45 days before the commencement of the intended tour.

The visa will be issued at least ten days before the commencement of travel. These visas will be issued for a single entry and restricted to 15 days validity and would be non-extendable.

Visa on arrival

In the category of visa on arrival, under the new visa regime, persons of more than 65 years of age will be given 45 days visa at arrival at Attari Wagah check post and it will be non-extendable and non-convertible.

As compared to previous check posts, when the persons have to enter and exit through the same route and have to use same mode of travel for onward and return journey, under the new visa regime agreement, now the people can enter and exit from different check posts and change in mode of travel will also be permitted.

However, this is subject to the exception that exit from Wagah/Attari by road on foot, where it cannot be accepted, unless the entry was also by foot via Attari/Wagah.

The check posts being used even under new agreement will be by Air from India Mumbai/Delhi/Chennai and from Pakistan it will be Karachi/Lahore and Islamabad.

By sea the check post will be Mumbai/Karachi while by Land it will be Wagah/Attari and Khokhrapar/Munabao.

Seeking visa

For the registration for seeking visa, the time period is the same that it has be within 24 hours but the persons of more than 65years of age, children below 12 years of age and eminent businessmen are exempted from Police Reporting.

There has been no change for seamen which will be given a landing permit for a period not exceeding for 24 hours.

For the visa fee, it has been decided that it will be Rs100 or equivalent instead of the current rate of Rs15 charged as visa fee.

Regarding the validity of the visa, under the new visa regime, it has been agreed that the applicant must avail the visa within a period of 80 days from the date of issue. If there are grounds requiring extension of validity, the concerned mission will take decision on such requests on priority.

This provision will not be applicable to the holders of business visa.

[via Express Tribune]

Jora launches ‘Heritage Himalaya’ magazine at Leh

By Tsewang Rigzin

Ladakh is a famous tourist destination on the world tourist map because of its rich cultural heritage.  A heritage news magazine was required to serve as a window to Ladakh’s centuries old cultural heritage and their values; for thousands of outsiders visiting this unique place besides Ladakh’s own scholars, students and academicians.
Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora said this at Lonpo House Leh where he launched a six monthly heritage news magazine called Heritage Himalaya published by Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF), a Leh based Non Government Organisation devoted to cultural promotion and preservation in Himalayas.
While complimenting the wide range of activities being carried out by HCHF in Ladakh region in the preservation of rich cultural legacy which have been inherited from generation to generation for centuries, and also the selfless service being rendered by its secretary Dr. Sonam Wangchok in the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, Jora announced an amount of Rs 3 lakh to further expand the programmes of the organisation across the Ladakh region.  The minister expressed his happiness to see an active organisation on the preservation of cultural heritage operating in Ladakh which has been started by a Ladakhi educated youth.
The Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh Rigzin Spalbar assured to issue instructions from LAHDC to the Education Department to subscribe to the magazine in the libraries of most government schools. The CEC also agreed to support the organisation financially for restoring historical monuments like Stupas. In the last two years one of the activities of HCHF was to train local masons for restoring and conserving monuments like Stupas which are being deteriorated and are widely found on the verge of extinction throughout Ladakh region.
Dr. Sonam said that the heritage news magazine will have in its content news and information pertaining to tangible and intangible heritage of Himalayas with special sections on tourism and culture and a children corner. “Through this news magazine we can encourage students and researchers to write about their observation, criticism and vision on cultural heritage of this region”, he added.  He also observed that Ladakhis have realised the importance of preserving and promoting cultural heritage of the region and on many occasions the village communities are blamed for not restoring the monuments but there is still lack of initiatives and implementations from expert individuals and organisations.
Among those who attended the programme included Executive Councilor Sonam Dorjey, councilors, local scholars, students and HCHF members.

From Left: Dr Sonam Wangchok, Shri Rigzin  Jora, Shri Rigzin Spabar

IALS member Helena Norberg-Hodge to Receive the 2012 Goi Peace Award

http://www.goipeace.or.jp/english/activities/award/award2012.html

	The Goi Peace Foundation will bestow the 2012 Goi Peace Award on Helena Norberg-Hodge, the founder and director of the International Society for Ecology and Culture (ISEC), and a  pioneer of the 'new economy' movement.   The annual Goi Peace Award honors individuals and organizations in various fields that have made outstanding contributions toward the realization of  a peaceful and  harmonious world for humanity and all life on earth.                                 Created in 2000, previous Goi Peace Award recipients  include Ervin Laszlo, Oscar Arias, Lester Brown, Bill Gates &Deepak Chopra. Ms. Norberg-Hodge will receive the award at a ceremony during the Goi Peace Foundation Forum 2012 to be held at Ginza Blossom Hall in Tokyo on November 25, 2012. The selection committee has chosen Helena Norberg-Hodge for the Goi Peace Award "in recognition of her pioneering work in the new economy movement to help create a more sustainable and equitable world. Through her advocacy and educational activities promoting localization from an international perspective, Ms. Norberg-Hodge has contributed to the revitalization of cultural and biological diversity, and the strengthening of local communities and economies worldwide." As an author, filmmaker and public lecturer, Ms. Norberg-Hodge has been promoting an economics of personal, social and ecological well-being for more than thirty years. She is a widely respected analyst of the impact of the global economy on communities, local economies, and personal identity, and is a leading proponent of 'localization,' or decentralization, as a means of countering those impacts. A native of Sweden, Ms. Norberg-Hodge was educated in Sweden, Germany, Austria, England and the United States. She specialized in linguistics, including studies at the University of London and at MIT. In 1975, she visited Ladakh, or "Little Tibet," and was the first Westerner in recent times to master the Ladakhi language and co-produce the first Ladakhi-English dictionary. Since then, she has worked with the people of Ladakh to find ways of enabling their culture to meet the modern world without sacrificing social and ecological values. For these efforts she was awarded the Right Livelihood Award, or 'Alternative Nobel Prize,' in 1986. Her book, Ancient Futures, has been described as "an inspirational classic." Together with the film of the same title, it has been translated into more than 40 languages, and sold about half a million copies. She is also the producer and co-director of the award-winning film, The Economics of Happiness, and the co-author of Bringing the Food Economy Home and   From the Ground Up: Rethinking Industrial Agriculture. She has written numerous articles and essays, and her work has been the subject of more than 300 articles worldwide. ISEC, which she founded as The Ladakh Project, has now expanded its activities to run programs all over the world. The organization examines the root causes of our current social and environmental crises, while promoting grassroots and policy-level strategies for ecological and community renewal. She is also a founding member of the International Commission on  the Future of Food and Agriculture, and a co-founder of both the International Forum on Globalization and the Global Ecovillage Network. About the Goi Peace Foundation Established in Tokyo, Japan in 1999, the Goi Peace Foundation  is a public benefit organization with a mission to support the evolution of humanity toward a peaceful and harmonious new civilization. Through various educational and outreach programs, it promotes consciousness, values and wisdom for creating peace, and builds cooperation among individuals and organizations across diverse fields,  including education, science, culture and the arts. The Foundation is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the  Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. It also maintains official relations with UNESCO. Website: www.goipeace.or.jp

First-photo exhibition of Kamerakids inaugurated

STATE TIMES NEWS
LEH: The inauguration ceremony of the first photo- exhibition by Kamerakids was held at Lonpo House on Saturday. Titled – ‘Some Cups of Butter-tea -Daily life in Zanskar’ the exhibition was inaugurated by the Executive Councilor for Tourism, Gurmet Dorjey.
The founder of the project  Nana Ziesche, a German travel agent and photographer, shared her experience in Ladakh and said, “there is a beauty in all these pictures that we should value, the beauty of life randomness that we often neglect, that is what photography is all about, we capture those valuable moments”.
Showcasing a variety of motifs as portraits, landscapes, animals, people doing their daily work, monasteries, monks and nuns, Buddhist objects etc, everything worth a glance was captured by the lenses given to the kids aged between 12-15 years.
Gurmet appreciated Nana and her team and said “Such initiatives  specially for the children of remote places in Ladakh are praise worthy”. Sonam Stobdan, one of the kids whose photos were displayed said “I really like photography, I never thought I would get a chance to click a camera! With madam Nana’s help now we are able to not only capture pictures but also have the knowledge of the technicalities within!”
Col. Hemant from army headquarters Leh who was also present on the occasion  said – “I thank Nana for doing such  a wonderful  job for my country”.
The event ended with a vote of thanks from Nana. Gurmet was presented a memento as a token of thanks. Dr Sonam  Wangchok from Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation, Tundup Dorje from Overland Escape and Reach Ladakh and Gyatso from LOTI lso (Ladakh Old Town Initiative) were also present on the occasion.

16th IALS Conference - Call for Papers

Call for Papers (Abstract submission by: 10. September 2012) 

"Society and Environment in Ladakh: Historical Perspectives and Recent Dynamics" 16th Colloquium of the International Association for Ladakh Studies (IALS) Heidelberg, Germany, 17-20. April 2013  Download full Call for Papers document (pdf)

The 16th Colloquium of the International Association for Ladakh Studies (IALS) will take place at the Department of Geography, South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University, Germany, from 17-20. April 2013. Under the overarching topic "Society and Environment in Ladakh: Historical Perspectives and Recent Dynamics", senior scientists, young researchers and practitioners are invited to discuss different topics related to Ladakh and its neighbouring mountain regions. 

Following the tradition of the IALS, the conference has an explicitly interdisciplinary character. We therefore encourage participants from different scientific fields to submit an abstract. 

Possible focus areas for individual sessions include: 

• Political and religious history
• Cultural and social change
• Rural livelihoods and economic change
• Heritage and conservation
• Health and nutrition
• Climate change and adaptation
• Development interventions

Additional information on registration, travel grants, updates on field trips, accommodation, and the conference programme will be posted on the Conference pages of the IALS website as details are finalised. 

Any queries should be directed to Conference Convenor 

Juliane Dame. Email: ials2013@sai.uni-heidelberg.de

Ladakh: Crossroads of High Asia - third edition
now avaliable with a 25% discount from flipkart

http://www.flipkart.com/ladakh-0198079419/p/9780198079415?pid=9780198079415&ref=d76cc403-3056-4515-8cb8-f0417465292f

'Retaining the basic information from the original, this revised and updated third edition documents the changes and transformations that Ladakh has witnessed since 1996. From the region’s history to its importance as a confluence of various cultures and traditions to a detailed analysis of social, political and economic shifts before and after the Kargil war-it presents a deeply informed account of Ladakh and its people, permeated, moreover, by a radiant affection for them.

Scholarly yet lively, the value of this book, widely recognized as a one-stop reference on the region, is enhanced by the author’s recent research into contemporary realities.'

Czech-Indian educational project exhibition held

STATE TIMES NEWS www.statetimes.in/news/czech-indian-educational-project-exhibition-held/

LEH: The opening ceremony of the exhibition of a project called La Ngonpo, a three-year Czech-Indian Educational Project, was held on Friday in the Auditorium of Lamdon Senior Secondary School, Leh. Besides hundreds of students several dignitaries including from participating educational institutions and NGOs also witnessed the programme.

Exhibition featured examples of works by students and photographs reflecting and documenting the process of the project. Visual and literary works of Czech and Ladakhi students which have been developed in joint ‘e-lessons’ conducted during the period of three years according to the methodological handbook La Ngonpo were also exhibited.

A documentary movie that describe the real yet different lives of two students living in two different parts of the world – the Czech Republic and Ladakh in India, was screened. A colourful cultural programme by students of different participating schools was also presented.

The Project Coordinator, Romana Vylitova said that the exhibition was organised to enable participants to see what students have learned and done through this project.

“There are six participating schools now. If others are interested they can also join the project,” Vylitova invited other institutions to join the project.

Moravian Mission School, SECMOL, Druk Padma White Lotus School, Ladakh Public School and Lamdon Model Senior Secondary School are the Leh based participating institutions from India, said Vylitova. The international educational project La Ngonpo focuses on multicultural and global education for pupils and students aged 12 to 16 years. Since 2010 the project has been in operation in India (in Leh-Ladakh) and Czech Republic.

However, it can be joined by schools anywhere in the world. According to the organisers the project enables students to learn about themselves and their environment as well as about their peers from another country.

“La Ngonpo” are Ladakhi words meaning “the blue pass”. “Mountain passes used to symbolize the possibility to meet on the other side of the range; for us, the pass is represented by the web portal,” the project believes.

Some of the group might like to know that Beyond Bokhara, Garry Alder's biography of William Moorcroft---who spent 2 years in Ladakh, 1820--22, & wrote what is still one of the best accounts of the region---is now republished. The book isn't available on Flipkart, but can be ordered from the publishers, Low Price Publications, New Delhi. Website is www.Lppindia.com; e-mail info@Lppindia.com. (Thanks Janet)

SAARC Cultural Centre has announce the SAARC International Conference on Archaeology of Buddhism Recent Discoveries in South Asia (Colombo, Sri Lanka, 22-24 August 2012)
http://www.saarcculture.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=163:saarc-international-seminar-on-archaeology-of-buddhism&catid=43:announcements&Itemid=92

The Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation and International Association of Ladakh Studies Research Workshop

On Friday, 22^ndJune 2012 Dr Sonam Wangchok, Secretary of the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation and of International Association of Ladakh Studies (IALS) hosted a workshop at Lonpo House Lecture Hall, Leh Palace for Ladakhi youth who are interested in undertaking research in Ladakh. The aim of the workshop was to introduce potential students to the various research methods and research projects currently taking place in Ladakh, and to discuss how the IALS can assist young Ladakhi researchers in supporting and publicising their work. Ph.D Fellows and Anthropologist Elizabeth Lane Williams-Oerberg (Aarhus University, Denmark) and Andrea Butcher (University of Aberdeen, Scotland) presented their research projects and discussed the experience of preparing for research in Ladakh. Following the presentations the floor was opened to questions and a discussion regarding what assistance aspiring researchers need to get started with their projects, where to find information about previous and current research, and who to contact for assistance. The following bullet points are the recommendations for assistance the students requested:

Ø  IALS/HCHF to showcase all the different research in Ladakh and who is working on what.

Ø  Directory of researchers and their topics or specialities

Ø  Create a library or catalogue of bibliographies for previous research in Ladakh, organised by discipline.

Ø  Partnerships between Foreign and Ladakhi students

Ø  Directory of Ladakhi students willing to work as interpreters.

Ø  Notice board for Ph.D and research opportunities outside India.

Ø  Electronic access to academic journals. (Digital Himalaya and other websites can be accessed on the IALS website.)

Ø  Awareness workshops to be held in other parts of Ladakh and Zangskar to give awareness to Ladakhi youth of the IALS and research opportunities.

Ø  IALS or research forum Facebook page.

Ø  Recruit students returning from university to give advice about research for young Ladakhis

Ø  Organise a pool of educated research students to act as tourist guides and give information for tourists.

Ø  Send research to others in similar fields and obtain feedback.

Ø  Encourage young researchers to publish essays in Ladakh Studies journal.

Ø  Organise a two-day workshop to introduce students to research methods

Ø  Have a dedicated student webpage on the IALS website for information on research protects, opportunities, publications, and seminars.

Answering the points Dr Sonam Wangchok introduced the restarting of IALS blog (http://ladakhstudies.blogspot.co.uk/) and encouraged research students to see IALS website (www.ladakhstudies.org) and HCHF website (www.heritagehimalaya.org) for resources and latest information related to researches, books and events. At the same time he strongly supports the idea of awareness workshops in other parts of Ladakh.

Elizabeth Lane Williams-Oerberg advised of electronic sources of data already available for students, Digital Himalaya (www.digitalhimalaya) and facebook group “books on ladakh and more... " 

Change of date

As LBA youth is organizing two days workshop on 23rd and 24th, we have preponed  IALS workshop to 22nd June, 2012 at 2.30 pm at Lonpo House. 

Research Sharing & Interactive Workshop

International Association for Ladakh Studies in collaboration with Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation-HCHF is organizing half day interactive workshop for students, researchers and people interested in Ladakh studies on 22nd June, 2012 at 2.30 pm at Lonpo House, Near Leh Palace. Elizabeth Williams Oerberg and   Andrea Butcher (IALS Members) have kindly agreed to share their research experiences. 

 Elizabeth Williams Oerberg is  a Ph.D student from Aarhus University, Section for Anthropology, Department of Society and Culture and has been doing research in Ladakh for last two years on "The transmission of Global Buddhism among Ladakhi student migrants in Delhi".

Andrea Butcher is a student of Anthropology of Religion at the University of Aberdeen and has been doing research in Ladakh since 2009 on “The impact of Tibetan Buddhist thought upon lay and monastic development ethics and practice in Ladakh”.

Interested participants are requested to register their name at HCHF office at Lonpo House. Lonpo House is situated near Leh Palace and can be reached from the Leh Palace parking area or via the footpath that links the main market with Leh Palace.

16th IALS Conference, Heidelberg, Germany, 17.-20. April 2013

We are pleased to invite you to the 16^th Conference of the International Association for Ladakh Studies which will be held at the South Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg, from 17 to 20 April 2013. We wish to keep it an interdisciplinary and fruitful event with scholars, scientists and experts from different fields.

We look forward to welcoming as many participants as possible in Heidelberg next spring. The call for papers and further information on fees, grants and organizational details will be put on the IALS website in the following weeks, so please visit the Heidelberg Conference page for updates.

With best wishes from Heidelberg,

Juliane Dame

Restarting the IALS Blog

Aside from the post 'Nineteenth century photographs of Ladakh' (which graced the first incarnation of this blog) the Ladakh Studies blog is being restarted. This page now replaces the old news page that was part of the IALS website ladakhstudies.org

News relating to the IALS and its members will continue to form the foundation of this blog; in many ways this page will become a notice board for the Association. We'll post members' news, details of events that our members may find interesting, research updates, reviews, conference updates, and topical issues being discussed by the Association. We'll also post items such as the 'Nineteenth century photographs of Ladakh'. Over time our authors will increase in number and we hope our readership will too, with both members and non members of the IALS visiting this site.

If you have any comments on how to improve the site we would like to hear from you, and likewise, if you have any content that may be of interest to members of the IALS then please contact one of the blog hosts.

Nineteenth century photographs of Ladakh

Students of Ladakh might be interested to browse through the British Library online gallery.

This contains a selection of the library’s collection of photographs and drawings, including a number of images of Ladakh. Among my own favourites is a photograph of Leh bazaar taken in 1873 by Francis Edward Chapman who was a member of the Forsyth exhibition to Yarkand. Chapman’s photographs are included in Sir Douglas Forsyth’s published account, Report of a Missionto Yarkund in 1873 (Calcutta, 1875). However, the web version is clearer than the originals and, if you click on ‘interactive zoomable image’, you can see a magnified version of sections of the photograph, making it possible to look at individual buildings in some detail.

Other notable images on the site include drawings based on sketches by Dr Henry Cayley, who was the first British official posted to Ladakh in the late 1860s. One example is a drawing of Hemis monastery. The drawings appear to be ‘second hand’ in that they were evidently prepared by Stanley Leighton on the basis of Cayley’s sketches. However, they look as though they are broadly accurate, and record the the architectural details of buildings that have been greatly changed, or no longer survive.

The online gallery presents no more than a small percentage of the British Library’s overall collection of images. The full catalogue specifically of the India Office collection of photographs, prints and drawings within the British Library is available here. The collection is in principle open to all researchers, but it is necessary to apply for a British Library card and to make an appointment in advance.

John Bray