Describe historical and geographical factors influencing the diversity of Ladakh.
Ladakh is a desert in the mountains in the eastern part of Jammu and Kashmir. Very little agriculture is possible here since this region does not receive any rain and is covered in snow for a large part of the year. People rear sheep in the region. Pashmina wool, meat and milk of sheep is used there. Other reared cattle are goats, cows and dzos. Pashmina is a great demanded and valued product of this region and thus traders are attracted. It was considered a good trade route as it had many passes. Caravans passed through these route and carried textiles and spices, raw silk and carpets. Buddhism reached Tibet via Ladakh. Ladakh is also called little Tibet. Significant Muslim population is here. Ladakh has a very rich tradition of songs and poems. Local versions of the Tibetan national epic the “Kesar Saga”is performed and sung by both Muslims and Buddhists.
