Geography of J&K — Mountain Ranges & Passes
1. Introduction
- Mountains have a special geographical importance in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Kashmir valley is enclosed by high mountain-chains on all sides except for certain passes and a narrow gorge at Baramulla.
- There are Shivalik Hills towards the south and very lofty mountains in the north, the peaks of which always remain covered with snow.
- There are volcanic mountains too in the Region.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET
- Kashmir Valley: Enclosed by high mountain-chains
- Narrow Gorge: Baramulla
- Volcanic Peaks: Soyamji and Kharewa Peak
2. Karakoram Range
- Lies to the north and north-east of J&K and separates it from Russian Turkistan and Tibet.
- In the North West, Hindu Kush range continues towards Karakoram Range.
- K2 peak, the second highest peak of the world (8615.17 m), is situated in this range.
- Two lofty peaks of Gasherbrum (8570 metres) and Masherbrum (7827 metres) also lie there.
- Important Passes:
- Karakoram Pass (5352 metres) — to Chinese Turkistan and Khattan
- Nubra Pass (5800 metres)
- Khardungla Pass (5557 metres) — to Tibet
- Changla Pass (5609 metres) — to Tibet
- Glaciers: Siachen, Baltoro, Hispar
NOTE
- These ranges now form part of the newly created UT of Ladakh.
3. Zanskar Range
- Lies to the north of the Himalayas.
- About 600 metres above sea level.
- Separates Indus Valley from the Valley of Kashmir.
- Prevents south-west cold winds from reaching Kashmir.
- Zojila Pass (3529 metres) — Ladakh region terminates here; from here begins the valley of Kashmir.
- Poat Pass (5716 metres) — another famous pass in this range.
NOTE
- Zanskar Range now forms part of the newly created UT of Ladakh.
4. Nun Kun Range
- Lies between Ladakh and Kashmir border.
- Height: 7055.1 metres above sea level.
- To its south-east is situated Kulu and to its north-west is situated Kargil tehsil of Ladakh.
- Bawalocha Pass (4891 metres) — to reach Leh from Kulu.
- In 1947, when Kargil was attacked by Pakistan, Indian forces, arms and ammunition were sent to Ladakh through this pass.
5. Nanga Parbat Range
- Spreads in Gilgit.
- Height: 8107.68 metres above sea level.
- Utterly devoid of vegetation.
- Conquered by Italian mountaineers in 1954.
- Now under the unlawful possession of Pakistan.
- In local language it is called 'Diamer' or 'Diamir' meaning 'King of mountains'.
6. Harmukh Mountain
- Range of the Himalayas.
- Height: 5141.3 metres above sea level.
- Located towards Bandipora between the rivers Jhelum and Kishanganga valley.
7. Burzil Mountain
- Bi-furcates Kashmir and Ladakh.
- Burzil Pass is situated at a height of 3200 metres above sea level.
8. Amarnath Mountain
- Lies in Ganderbal District.
- Famous for the holy Amarnath Cave, at a height of 5372 metres above sea level.
- Thousands of pilgrims visit every year on Rakshabandan.
- Mahagunas Pass (1475 metres) — on the way to Shri Amarnath Ji.
- Gwasharan (5450 metres) — situated in the Liddar valley towards Pahalgam; on it lies the famous glacier Kolahoi.
- Sheshnag Mountain also spreads in this valley. It is called Sheshnag as its peaks resemble the heads of seven big snakes.
9. Toshimaidan
- Toshmaidan (4270 metres) and Kajimag (3700 metres) mountains lie in the Inner Himalayas.
- They remain clad with snow throughout the year.
- During summer when the snow melts, the water flows down into the Jhelum River.
10. Apharwat Mountain
- Spreads through the Gulmarg valley.
- The famous spring Alpather lies on its peak, from which Nullah Nagal comes out and flows down into the Wular Lake.
- It is the world's maximum gondola ski-carry giving a wide-ranging experience.
- The ropeway connects Kongdoori valley with Apharwat.
- It's the world's highest cable car — takes skiers and tourists to a peak of 4,390 m.
- Apharwat is well-known for winter sports including snowboarding.
11. Pir Panjal Range
- Lies south of the Himalayas and separates Kashmir valley from Jammu Region.
- Separates Kashmir valley from the outer Himalayas.
- Length: 2621 km; Breadth: 50 km.
- Pir Panjal is the largest range of the Lesser Himalayas.
- Near the bank of the Sutlej River, it dissociates itself from the Himalayas and forms a divide between the Beas and Ravi rivers on one side and the Chenab on the other.
- The renowned Galyat Mountains are also located in this range.
- Connected to the Valley of Kashmir via Mughal Road.
PEAKS OF PIR PANJAL RANGE
- Deo Tibba — 6,001 m (19,688 ft.)
- Indrasan — 6,221 m (20,410 ft.)
- Hill station of Gulmarg lies in this range.
IMPORTANT PASSES IN PIR PANJAL RANGE
- Haji Pir Pass (altitude 2,637 m / 8,652 ft.) — on the western Pir Panjal range; road between Poonch and Uri; under Pakistani control.
- Pir Panjal Pass (Peer Ki Gali) — connects Kashmir valley with Rajouri and Poonch via Mughal Road; highest point of Mughal Road at 3,490 m (11,450 ft.).
- Banihal Pass (2,832 m / 9,291 ft.) — at the head of the Jhelum River; Banihal and Qazigund lie on either side.
- Sinthan Pass — connects Jammu and Kashmir with Kishtwar.
- Rohtang La (altitude 3,978 m / 13,051 ft.) — connects Manali in Kullu Valley to Keylong in Lahual Valley.
- Baramulla Pass (1582 metres)
- Hajipir Pass (2750 metres)
TUNNELS IN PIR PANJAL RANGE
- Jawahar Tunnel
- Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel
- Atal Tunnel
- Banihal Railway Tunnel
12. Shiwalik Range
- Extends from the north of the outer plains to middle mountains of the region.
- Heights varying from 600 metres to 1500 metres above sea level.
- In ancient times, it is known by the name of 'Manak Parbat'.
13. Volcanic Mountains
- 'Soyamji' (1860 metres) — situated in North Machhipura (Handwara).
- 'Kharewa peak' — lies in Pahalgam.
- Both are dormant volcanic mountains.
- Soyamji continued eruption of lava for about 13 months during 1934.
14. Points to Note
MOUNTAINS & PASSES — QUICK REFERENCE
- Hajipir Pass — Pir Panjal Range
- Baramulla Pass — Pir Panjal Range
- Banihal Pass — Pir Panjal Range
- Deo Tibba — Pir Panjal Range
- Nubra Pass — Karakoram Range
- Baltoro Glacier — Karakoram Range
- K2 Peak — Karakoram Range
- Amarnath Cave — Mahagunas Pass
- Diamir (meaning 'King of mountains') — Nanga Parbat Mountain Range
- Gasherbrum (8570 m) and Masherbrum (7827 m) — Karakoram Range
- Nun Kun Range — Lies between Ladakh and Kashmir border
- Soyamji and Kharewa Peak — Dormant Volcanic Mountains
- Apharwat — Spreads through Gulmarg valley
- Shiwalik Range — Ancient name: Manak Parbat
- Sheshnag Mountain — Liddar valley (ancient Lambodhari)
- Zojila Pass — Ladakh region terminates here (3529 metres)
- Alpather — Famous spring on peak of Apharwat
15. JKSSB Previous Year Questions
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Q1. The second highest peak in the world, K2, is located in which mountain range?
- A) Greater Himalayas
- B) Karakoram
- C) Pir Panjal
- D) Zanskar
Q2. The Zojila Pass connects:
- A) Jammu and Kashmir
- B) Ladakh and Kashmir Valley
- C) Kashmir and Himachal
- D) Jammu and Himachal
Q3. Which range separates Kashmir valley from Jammu Region?
- A) Zanskar
- B) Pir Panjal
- C) Karakoram
- D) Shiwalik
Q4. The highest point of Mughal Road is:
- A) Banihal Pass
- B) Pir Panjal Pass (Peer Ki Gali)
- C) Haji Pir Pass
- D) Zoji La
Q5. The Burzil Pass is situated at a height of:
- A) 2500 m
- B) 3200 m
- C) 3500 m
- D) 4000 m
Q6. The world's highest cable car is located at:
- A) Gulmarg
- B) Apharwat
- C) Pahalgam
- D) Sonamarg
Q7. The famous spring Alpather is located on the peak of:
- A) Harmukh
- B) Apharwat
- C) Burzil
- D) Toshimaidan
Q8. The Zanskar Range separates:
- A) Jammu and Kashmir
- B) Indus Valley and Valley of Kashmir
- C) Ladakh and Tibet
- D) Kashmir and Himachal
Q9. Which pass connects Jammu and Kashmir with Kishtwar?
- A) Banihal Pass
- B) Sinthan Pass
- C) Rohtang La
- D) Zoji La
Q10. Nanga Parbat is also known locally as:
- A) King of Mountains
- B) Diamer or Diamir
- C) Roof of the World
- D) Land of Lamas
Q11. The ancient name of Shiwalik Range is:
- A) Manak Parbat
- B) Manak Parbat
- C) Manak Parbat
- D) Manak Parbat
Q12. The volcanic peak 'Soyamji' is located in:
- A) Pahalgam
- B) North Machhipura (Handwara)
- C) Gulmarg
- D) Sonamarg
Q13. Which pass connects Manali in Kullu Valley to Keylong in Lahual Valley?
- A) Banihal Pass
- B) Rohtang La
- C) Sinthan Pass
- D) Zoji La
Q14. The Amarnath Cave is located at a height of:
-
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- A) 4500 m
- B) 5372 m
- C) 6000 m
- D) 7000 m
Q15. The Nubra Pass is located in which mountain range?
- A) Karakoram
- B) Zanskar
- C) Pir Panjal
- D) Shiwalik
16. Summary: Mountain Ranges & Passes at a Glance
| Range | Key Peaks/Passes | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Karakoram | K2, Gasherbrum, Masherbrum; Karakoram Pass, Khardungla, Changla | 2nd highest peak; Siachen, Baltoro glaciers; separates from Tibet |
| Zanskar | Zojila Pass, Poat Pass | Separates Indus Valley from Kashmir Valley; prevents cold winds |
| Nun Kun | Bawalocha Pass | Between Ladakh and Kashmir border; 7055.1 m |
| Nanga Parbat | Diamer/Diamir (King of Mountains) | 8107.68 m; in Gilgit; under Pakistan control |
| Pir Panjal | Banihal, Haji Pir, Pir Panjal (Peer Ki Gali), Rohtang La, Sinthan | Separates Kashmir from Jammu; largest range of Lesser Himalayas; Mughal Road |
| Shiwalik | — | 600-1500 m; ancient name: Manak Parbat |
Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC
- K2: 2nd highest peak in the world (Karakoram Range)
- Zojila Pass: Connects Ladakh with Kashmir Valley (3529 m)
- Pir Panjal: Largest range of Lesser Himalayas; separates Kashmir from Jammu
- Peer Ki Gali: Highest point of Mughal Road (3,490 m)
- Banihal Pass: At the head of Jhelum River
- Rohtang La: Connects Manali to Lahual Valley
- Apharwat: World's highest cable car; winter sports (Gulmarg)
- Nanga Parbat: Diamer (King of Mountains); 8107.68 m
- Amarnath: 5372 m; Mahagunas Pass
- Burzil Pass: 3200 m; bi-furcates Kashmir and Ladakh
- Shiwalik: Ancient name: Manak Parbat
- Soyamji & Kharewa Peak: Dormant volcanic mountains
High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Mountain Ranges & Passes)
Q1. The second highest peak in the world, K2, is located in which range?
Correct Answer: B. K2 peak (8615.17 m), the second highest peak in the world, is located in the Karakoram Range.
Q2. The Zojila Pass connects:
Correct Answer: B. The Zojila Pass (3529 metres) is where the Ladakh region terminates and from where the valley of Kashmir begins.
Q3. Which range separates Kashmir valley from Jammu Region?
Correct Answer: B. The Pir Panjal Range lies south of the Himalayas and separates the Kashmir valley from the Jammu Region.
Q4. The highest point of Mughal Road is:
Correct Answer: B. Pir Panjal Pass (also called Peer Ki Gali) is the highest point of the Mughal Road at 3,490 m (11,450 ft.).
Q5. The world's highest cable car is located at:
Correct Answer: B. The world's highest cable car is on Apharwat mountain, which spreads through the Gulmarg valley, taking skiers and tourists to a peak of 4,390 m.
Q6. Nanga Parbat is locally called:
Correct Answer: B. Nanga Parbat is locally called 'Diamer' or 'Diamir', meaning 'King of mountains'.
Q7. The Burzil Pass is situated at a height of:
Correct Answer: B. The Burzil Pass is situated at a height of 3200 metres above sea level and bi-furcates Kashmir and Ladakh.
Q8. The ancient name of Shiwalik Range is:
Correct Answer: C. In ancient times, the Shiwalik Range was known by the name of 'Manak Parbat'.
Q9. The Amarnath Cave is located at a height of:
Correct Answer: B. The Amarnath Cave is located at a height of 5372 metres above sea level in Ganderbal District.
Q10. Which pass connects Jammu and Kashmir with Kishtwar?
Correct Answer: B. Sinthan Pass connects Jammu and Kashmir with Kishtwar. It is one of the important passes in the Pir Panjal Range.