The Himalayan Mountains are situated on the north of India.
Starting from the Pamir in the extreme northwest of India, the mighty
Himalayan range extends towards northeast. It has a length of nearly
2560 kilometres with an average breadth of 240 to 320 kilometres.
The highest peak of the Himalayas is known as Mount Everest with
its height being 8869 metres. It acts as a natural wall and protects
the country against the cold arctic winds blowing from Siberia through
Central Asia. This keeps the climate of northern India fairly warm
throughout the year. The Himalayan region is mostly inhospitable in
winter and generally covered with snow.
It was considered for a long time that the Himalayas stood as
a natural barrier to protect India against invasions. But, the passes
in the northwest mountains such as the Khyber, Bolan, Kurram and
Gomal provided easy routes between India and Central Asia. These
passes are situated in the Hindukush, Sulaiman and Kirthar ranges.
From prehistoric times, there was a continuous flow of traffic through
these passes. Many people came to India through these passes as
invaders and immigrants. The Indo-Aryans, the Indo-Greeks,
Parthians, Sakas, Kushanas, Hunas and Turks entered India through
these passes. The Swat valley in this region formed another
important route. Alexander of Macedon came to India through this
route. Apart from invading armies, missionaries and merchants came
to India using these routes. Therefore, these passes in the northwest
mountains had facilitated trade as well as cultural contacts between
India and the Central Asia.
In the north of Kashmir is Karakoram Range. The second
highest peak in the world, Mount Godwin Austen is situated here.
This part of the Himalayas and its passes are high and snow-covered
in the winter. The Karakoram highway via Gilgit is connected to
Central Asia but there was little communication through this route.
The valley of Kashmir is surrounded by high mountains. However,
it could be reached through several passes. The Kashmir valley
remains unique for its tradition and culture. Nepal is also a small
valley under the foot of the Himalayas and it is accessible from
Gangetic plains through a number of passes.
In the east, the Himalayas extend up to Assam. The important
mountains in this region are Pat Koi, Nagai and Lushai ranges. These
hills are covered with thick forests due to heavy rains and mostly
remain inhospitable. The mountains of northeast India is difficult to
cross and many parts of this region had remained in relative isolation.
Starting from the Pamir in the extreme northwest of India, the mighty
Himalayan range extends towards northeast. It has a length of nearly
2560 kilometres with an average breadth of 240 to 320 kilometres.
The highest peak of the Himalayas is known as Mount Everest with
its height being 8869 metres. It acts as a natural wall and protects
the country against the cold arctic winds blowing from Siberia through
Central Asia. This keeps the climate of northern India fairly warm
throughout the year. The Himalayan region is mostly inhospitable in
winter and generally covered with snow.
It was considered for a long time that the Himalayas stood as
a natural barrier to protect India against invasions. But, the passes
in the northwest mountains such as the Khyber, Bolan, Kurram and
Gomal provided easy routes between India and Central Asia. These
passes are situated in the Hindukush, Sulaiman and Kirthar ranges.
From prehistoric times, there was a continuous flow of traffic through
these passes. Many people came to India through these passes as
invaders and immigrants. The Indo-Aryans, the Indo-Greeks,
Parthians, Sakas, Kushanas, Hunas and Turks entered India through
these passes. The Swat valley in this region formed another
important route. Alexander of Macedon came to India through this
route. Apart from invading armies, missionaries and merchants came
to India using these routes. Therefore, these passes in the northwest
mountains had facilitated trade as well as cultural contacts between
India and the Central Asia.
In the north of Kashmir is Karakoram Range. The second
highest peak in the world, Mount Godwin Austen is situated here.
This part of the Himalayas and its passes are high and snow-covered
in the winter. The Karakoram highway via Gilgit is connected to
Central Asia but there was little communication through this route.
The valley of Kashmir is surrounded by high mountains. However,
it could be reached through several passes. The Kashmir valley
remains unique for its tradition and culture. Nepal is also a small
valley under the foot of the Himalayas and it is accessible from
Gangetic plains through a number of passes.
In the east, the Himalayas extend up to Assam. The important
mountains in this region are Pat Koi, Nagai and Lushai ranges. These
hills are covered with thick forests due to heavy rains and mostly
remain inhospitable. The mountains of northeast India is difficult to
cross and many parts of this region had remained in relative isolation.
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