Sunday, March 23rd, 2025

Kargil Vijay Diwas: What is the ‘full form’ of Kargil, why is it called the land of Aghas? There is a deep meaning hidden in the name


Kargil Name History and Full Form: Kargil… a name that is associated with heroic tales, sacrifices and countless stories of courage. This is the place where in the year 1999, the Indian Army fought against the infiltrating Pakistani soldiers and hoisted the flag of victory on the high peaks. In memory of this, the country is celebrating the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26 July 2024. However, this name and its history are not limited to the Kargil war only, but an interesting history is also hidden behind this name. Let’s take a look at such interesting facts related to Kargil.

the land of aga

Kargil, with a population of about 1.25 lakh, is spread over an area of ​​14,086 square kilometers. It is located at a distance of 205 kilometers from Srinagar towards Leh. Kargil is called the land of Aghas in today’s world. This is because most of the Shia Muslims live in Kargil and Agha is called the religious head and preacher. (Photo – kargil.nic.in)

Meaning and history of the name Kargil

Meaning and history of the name Kargil

The name Kargil is derived from two words Khar and Arkil. Khar means palace and Arkil means center, i.e. place between palaces because this place has been situated between many princely states or kingdoms in today’s Jammu and Kashmir state. According to many critics, the word Kargil is derived from the words Gar and Khil.

In the local language Gar means ‘any place’ and Khil means a central place where people can live. This is supported by the fact that the place is about 200 kilometers away from Srinagar, Skardu, Rah and Padum. With the passage of time Khar Arkil or Gar Khil came to be known as Kargil. (Photo – kargil.nic.in)

Names associated with Thatha Khan

Names associated with Thatha Khan

Present-day bureaucrat and historian Parvez Dewan in his/her book ‘Kargil Blunder’ has stated that a pioneer named Kargil cleared the forests in the Poyen and Shilikchay area before Thatha Khan came here and later named the place.

Advent of Islam

Advent of Islam

Thaa Thaa Khan is said to be a prominent warrior who founded a dynasty in the region. Islam came to Kargil in the 15th century. Mir Shams-ud-Din Iraqi, a scholar of the Shia school of Central Asia, visited Baltistan and Kargil with his/her missionaries to preach Islam.

ancient name of kargil

ancient name of kargil

In ancient times, most of the present Kargil region was called Purik. This name has been given by Tibetan scholars because the people living in this part of the land have features of Tibetans. Drass is inhabited by people of Dard caste and Zanskar has Ladakhi-Tibetan descent. The racial ancestry of Kargilis is Aryan, Dard, Tibetan and Mongoloid. Apart from Islam, followers of Buddhism are also present here.

Languages ​​of Kargil

Languages ​​of Kargil

Kargil is a place where multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural people live. The people here are Brogpa, Baltis, Purik, Shina and Ladakhi. The languages ​​spoken here are Shina, Balti, Purig, Ladakhi. Balti and Shina languages ​​are written in Urdu script, so Urdu is common in this area.

Kargil district was formed in the year 1979

Kargil district was formed in the year 1979

Kargil became a separate district in the Ladakh region in the year 1979, when it was split from the erstwhile Leh district. The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil was commissioned in the district in July 2003.

The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council has 30 councillors, of which 26 councillors are elected while the remaining 4 are nominated. Kargil district has nine administrative blocks.

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