Geography

Karakoram

Also: Karakoram range, Krishnagiri, K2, Karakoram Pass

Definition

The Karakoram is a high mountain range north of the Great Himalaya in the Ladakh region and adjoining areas, home to K2, the world's second-highest peak, and to some of the largest glaciers outside the polar regions, including the Siachen.

Summary card: Karakoram. Lies north-west of the Great Himalaya, beyond the Indus. K2 (8,611 m) is the world's second-highest peak. Siachen, Baltoro and Biafo are major glaciers. Karakoram Pass (about 5,540 m) on old Leh–Yarkand route. Karakoram anomaly: some glaciers stable or advancing — Summary card © UPSCPrep.in

Background and evolution

The Karakoram forms part of the great mountain knot where the Himalaya, Hindu Kush, Pamir and Kunlun ranges meet. It stretches roughly from the Gilgit area in the west to the Shyok and Nubra valleys of Ladakh in the east, separated from the Himalaya by the Indus–Shyok valleys and bounded to the north by the Tarim basin region. Like the Himalaya, it was raised by the collision of the Indian plate with Eurasia, but it includes older terrains welded onto Asia before the main collision, and it is cut by the Karakoram Fault, a major strike-slip fault.

The range contains four of the world's fourteen peaks over 8,000 m, including K2, Gasherbrum I, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum II, all in the part administered by Pakistan, which India considers part of its territory. Its name is often said to come from Turkic words meaning "black gravel". For centuries, caravans crossed the Karakoram Pass between Leh and Yarkand in Xinjiang carrying wool, silk, salt and other goods. In India's official geography, the Karakoram is sometimes called Krishnagiri, and the Ladakh and Zaskar ranges lie to its south.

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Last reviewed: 23 October 2026 · Original UPSCPrep.in content.