The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c13.2.5

v1.c13.2.5

Eastward from Haramukuṭa, the range which we have been following so far, meets near the head of the Sind valley, 'the great chain of snowy mountains which stretches from Mount Nangā Parvat in a south-easterly direction to the Nunkum Peaks in Sūru. A few miles south of this junction we arrive at a gap in the mountains,' which is generally known by its Ladākhi name of Zōjī-La. This pass lay on a very important route connecting the Kashmir valley with China and Tibet *via* Ladākh. The Tibetan inhabitants beyond this pass were known as the Bhauṭṭas; and Kalhaṇa probably refers to this route by his *Bhuṭṭarāṣṭrādhvan*.⁴ Through this route came the invaders in the 14th century who put an end to the Hindu rule in the valley.⁵ The Laharakoṭṭa mentioned by Jonarāja 'probably represents the old watch station of this route.'⁶ From near this pass a range of mountains, forming the eastern boundary of Kashmir ‘runs almost due south until it reaches the head waters of the Vitastā. It then turns to the north-west and at the Bānªhāl pass joins on to the Pīr Pantsāl Range.’ Towards the Chenab this range is pierced by two passes, *viz.*, the Margan and the Parbal Pass, the latter of which ‘forms the usual route towards Kāṣṭhavāṭa.’¹