Perched at a breath-taking altitude of 11,500 ft and above in the lap of the Himalaya, Ladakh offers irresistible scenic beauty of the beholder. The exposure of its traditions and unique culture to modernisation, though conducive to its progress, calls for utmost caution and care. The impact of modernization on Ladakh would serve as an eye-opener to the readers particularly thos who have not lately visited the region.
This book pulsates with a vibrant and absorbing theme about Ladakh?s unique life and rich culture. Certain topics of the book have been treated with a fresh look and deeper understanding while maintaining the objectivity. The book covers varied aspects of this wonderland, notably its geographical set-up, early and later histories, religion, cultural heritage, people and their economy, social life, customs & rites, political developments which attended and followed it in the wake of partition of the country, and impact of modernization on the region. The main religions of Ladakh namely Buddhism, Islam and Christianity with their demographic profiles have been discussed in the book. The chapter titled ?Cultural Heritage? reflects the unfathomable depth of Ladakh?s cultural wealth like the monasteries around which the cultural religious life of the people revolves, monastic paintings, woodworks, masks, sculpture, architecture, dance, music etc. The chapter on ?Regional Autonomy? gives a brief account of the Autonomous Hill Council set-up at Leh in the wake of struggle of the Ladakhis for a measure of regional autonomy. The photographs on various facets of Ladakh?s life and culture make an impressive visual impact on the book.

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H.N. Kaul took his degree from Punjab University, Lahore, followed by a postgraduate degree in Pol. Science and a degree in Law from Lucknow University in 1947. He has had a long innings in Govt. of India having served its various departments for four decades. During his tenure at Leh in Military Intelligence Directorate, the movement launched by Ladakhis was at its peak. After his retirement from U.G.C., his decade-old stint in Minorities Commission contributed to his closer interaction with Ladakhis. His association with some international Buddhist organizations took him round several times to the former Soviet Union and Mongolia and recently to China and Thailand.