Kargil includes Zanskar, which is across the Penzila. Zanskaris predominantly Buddhist, with a small minority of Kashmiri, Sunni Muslims from Kishtwar. The rest of Kargil is almost entirely Shia Muslims, except some villages (Wakha, Mulbekh, Shargole, Foker, Bodhkharboo, Heniskote, Darchik) where Buddhist population are present.

Drass, currently the District's main attraction (because of the war sites of Tololing, Mushkoo and Tiger Hill), is the second coldest inhabited place in the world. Winter temperature drops down to minus 45 degree Celsius at night. Including wind-chill it could drop to as low as minus 50 degree Celsius. Zanskar is not as cold. Night temperatures in winter merely drop to minus 35 degree Celsius.

In both Drass and Zanskar, it is several degrees below zero even during the day from November to March. In the summer, nights are cool, a light woolen sweater is sometimes needed. Sunny summer days can be quite hot. T-shirts are sufficient.

The rest of the District is slightly warmer. Winters are colder than in most of Europe, but it rarely drops below minus 12 degree Celsius. Summer nights warrant a light woolen sweater except perhaps for a few days in July. Even in July, if it rains or gets cloudy, a sweater is required in the afternoon as well.

The district is surrounded by Kashmir, Kishtwar, Kulu and Gilgit–Baltistan. It has in turn influenced these neighbours – and been influenced by them. A somewhat cerebral guidebook says that Kargil served as the initial receptacle of the cultural waves and ethnic movements that emanated from across the Greater Himaliyan wall. Kargil is somewhat greener than Leh. That’s because a number of rivers which originate in the greater Himalayas, bring considerable amounts of water as they come down. So even though Kargil too is an arctic desert, places near these rivers are green villages in the Suru Valley, as well those on the highway, are on average, at lower altitudes than the typical villages in Leh. On the other hand villages in Zanskar are normally higher than in Leh. But both groups receive far more snow than Leh does. As a result there are considerable pastures in Zanskar.

The present Kargil town was never the capital of the Kargil / Purig. Purig consisted of a number of small kingdoms in ancient times. These included Chiktan, Phokhar / Fokar, Sodh/ Sot and Suru Karchey. These tiny principalities would sometimes go to “war” (petty skirmishes. Most of the time) with each other at the slightest excuse Gasho “Thatha Khan" an exiled prince of the 9^th century AD was perhaps the first who brought together the territories which comprise the present day district. He first conquered the Chiktan area and later annexed Sot as well.

Another sultan of Purig extended his kingdom to include Zanskar Pashkum and Sodh: pretty much the territory of the present Kargil District. He is referred to simply as “the Purig Sultan” in official histories. His capital was based at Karpokhar in the Suru Valley. Famous kings of Kargil include Boti Khan Abdal Khan, Amrood Choo, Tsering Malik, Maithi stan, Kunchok Sherab Stan and Thi Sultan.

Ali Sher Khan Anchan of Skardu (Late 16^th / early 17^th centuries) is arguably the king who left the deepest imprint on the area. This warrior from Baltistan conquered most of the principalities of Purig and introduced his native Balti culture there. There for example, he got an architect from Khapaloo in his native Baltistan to build the Chiktan Razi Khar (the Chiktan “Place).

It was the lot of the Dogras to unite Baltistan, Purig, Zanskar and the present Leh district, in the first half of the 19^th century to form undivided Ladakh. After 1947 Pakistan grabbed a major chunk of Kargil.

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