Ladakh was more or less independent country and was ruled by local kings during the pre-L lilamic rule of Kashmir. These were many conflicts between kings and sultans of Kashmir, but it became integral part of Kashmir in 1842. In the past, the district was known by the different names viz Maryul (Low Land), Snow Land, Crown of world and Land of passes. Fa Hein referred it as Kia-Chha and Hiuan Tsang as Ma-Lo-Pho. Presently it is called Ladakh as land of Gompas and Lamas.
It is said that district was first inhabited by a tribe of nomads. There are three different ethnic group viz Mon, Dards and Mongol of Tibetan origin. Among them the Mon have been first immigrants The later immigration of Dards was from Baltistan. They were more aggressive then the mons and occupied cultivated areas. The later Mongol migration occurred as late as the 10% Century. In first or second century Ladakh was under Kushana dynasty.
History-The origin of Ladakh Kingdom is connected with decline and fall of Tibetan Kingdom. After the brutal murder of infamous king glang - Dar-ma (842 A.D.) by his son Od-Srung. The whole structure of the state collapsed and the old aristocracy launched into a struggle for powers. Skyd-Lde-Ni-Ma-mGon had three sons. The first born dPal-gyi-mGon took the territory of Ladakh. Thus the dPal-gri-mGon was the real founder of the Ladakh Kingdom. It seems that during this period Lha-Chen utpala occupied great power in Western Himalaya. The date Utpala, Nagluc and dGe-Phe-may roughly be ascertained between the middle of 11 and first quarter of the 12th Century. La-Chen Nagluc built palaces at Wanla and Khaltse.
According to the chronical of Ladakh, the kings reigned after dnos-grub were Lha-ryal-bu-Rin Chen, Wha-Chen-Serrab, Lha-Chen-Khri-gtsung-Lde, Lha-Chen-Grag-bum-Lde, Lha-Chen-Grag bum-Lde. He had been allotted Ladakh blo-gros-Mchog-Ldon (1410-1435 A.D.) was a builder of temples and images. Grags bum was the younger brother of Grag-bum-Lde (1435-1460 AD) successor of Grags-pum-Lde sent presents to first Dalai Lama. His end was not good as he was dethroned disastrously and imprisoned by a prince Bhagan. Thus the first dynasty ended.
Namgail Dynasty - Lha-Chen-Bhagan, son of Bhara founded the Namgail ruling dynasty of Ladakh in 1475 AD The title Namgail occurs in the name of all his descendants. Bhagan elder son tha-bang Namgail was blind so younger son Tashi usurped the throne but being the childless he settled his blind brother at Lingshed and allowed him to marry. Tashil Namgail built the first Royal palace at Leh. He faced the Kashmir and Hor attacks. He was a great builder of temples and images.
The blind Lha-dhang Namgail had three sons. Eldest Son Tsewang Namgail ascended the throne in 1557 AD. He not only subdued the whole Ladakh but he extended his Kingdom also He passed away about 1555 and was succeeded by his third brother Jamyang Namgail. Sultan of Kashmir and Raja Ali Sher of Skardu invaded Ladakh and subdued it. To remain in power Yamyang entered into matrimonial alliance with Ali Sher. This princess gave birth of two sons Singe Namgail and Norboo.
Soon after the death of brother Norboo Singe Namgail ascended the throne. He built monastery with the help of Tag-Trang-Ras-Pa in 1624. After the death of Singe in 1642 A.D. his kingdom was divided among Deldan, Indra and Damchog, Singe succeeded by his elder son Deldan Namgail. He got built Maniwall (Rengmo) near Leh. During this period Mughal also invaded Ladakh. He agreed to owe alliance to Delhi. He also agreed to get recited Khutba in the name of Mughal emperor in the Mosque of Leh. Deldan Nimgail had three sons and was succeeded by Deleg Namgail in 1666 A.D. and adopted the appellation of Aqabat Mahmud Khan. Ladakh continued to be ruled over by weak kings of Namgail dynasty after his death.
Deldan Namgail was succeeded by his son Deldan Namgail. His reign was eventful with Tibetan Mangolian invasion of Ladakh. The Tibet Mongolian Army was driven out from Leh but Ladakh had to pay a beavy price for the help of Ibrahim Khan Mughal Governor of Kashmir. A Jagir was granted to Deleg Namgail after returning Mughal Army to Kashmir with crown prince Jig-Dal Namgail as hostage. It is said that Deleg Namgail promised to send presents to Kashmir every three years accept the Islam and to strike the coins in the name of Mughal emperor. The treaties with Kashmir and Tibet crushed the Ladakhi power completely. Deleg Namgail had four sons.
Deleg Namgail succeeded by his elder son Nyima Namgail in 1695. A.D. He was Titular king. He established paper mill and introduced hand printing in Ladakh. Nyima Namgail offered the throne to his son Deskyong in 1729 A.D. He died at Mulbe on 21 November 1738. A.D.
Deskyong Namgail succeeded his father but at the request of his half brother's mother, a separate Kingdom of Purig with Capital Mulbe was given to Tashi Namgail. King Deskyong Namgail died in 1739 A.D. During the reign of Tsewang Namgail the internal situation of Ladakh was not peaceful. The king was inefficient and an easily influenced man. His friends were mostly Muslims. He had spent more money on horses. Tietan Namgail was enthroned on 17h of June 1808 A.D. at the age of 5 years after his father's death. He assumed formal royal title in 1794 A.D. Stefan Namgail died at the beginning of 1802 barely in the age of 24 years.
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