Kargil district, carved out of the erstwhile district Ladakh, came into existence in July 1979. It lies in the North-East of Kashmir Valley at a distance of 205 kms from Srinagar with a geographical area of 14,036 sq kms. The whole area is of high rocky mountains devoid of any natural vegetation. The population of the district is above 1 lakh having density of 7 persons per sq km against the average of 59 persons per sq km at state level. Ninetynine per cent of the population is schedule tribe. The district has a high altitude area in the country ranging from 8,000 to 18,000 ft above sea level.

Kargil is a peaceful district. Militancy in any way is not related with Kargil and the peace-loving people of this area have proved it. It may be added here that the state and central assistance received for the development of this area have gone a long way in changing the developmental scenario in Kargil.

The district presents a composite culture of Balti, Ladakhi, Purki, Dardi, Zanskari and Shina cultures. Irrespective of ethnic identities, all speak Kargili language with ease.

The name `Kargil' came into prominence some time between 14th and 16th century A D. The areas of present Kargil district, including some parts of Baltistan, were called Purik in ancient history. The Purik Sultan, a renowned king, set up his kingdom at Karpokhar in Suru Valley. He brought the surrounding villages including Zanskar, Pashkum and Sodh under his domain and developed the areas in respect of culture, economy and military might. Gashoo Thatha Khan (a banished prince) also played a prominent role in expansion of his domain over Chiktan area in 9th century A D. Later, he expanded his empire to Sodh area and is known to have been a powerful king of the area. Boti Khan, Abdal Khan, Amrodh Choo, Tsering Malik, Naithi Stan, Kunchok Sherab Stan and Thi Sultan have also made an imprint on the history of Kargil.

In the ancient times, Purik was divided into many small kingdoms. the prominent among these being Suru Karchey, Sodh, Fokar and Chiktan. The history of Ladakh and Baltistan written by many historians like A H Frankey, Wazir Hashmatullah Khan and Kacho Sikandar Khan Sikandar reveals that Kargil was divided into many little kingdoms which occasionally fought with each other on petty matters. History also reveals that no king made Kargil town his capital. Therefore, there is no mention about Kargil in ancient history. There are conflicting views about the name of Kargil. Some say that the name is a combination of two words `khar' and `rkil' meaning "the kingdom in between". With the passage of time `kharkil' changed into `Kargil'. Others believe that it is derived from `gar' and `khil'. `Ghar' means "coming from any place" and `khil' means "stop". The Kargil town is equidistant from Skardoo, Srinagar, Leh and Zanskar.

The Kargilies are descendants of Mangol, Dard and Mon races. It is believed that Pashkum is the first village inhabited in the area. Purik remained under the cultural domain of Tibet and the people of the area adopted the Budhist faith in the ancient time. During 14th century Islam came to Kargil.

Ali Sher Khan Anchan of Skardoo, a contemporary of Akbar, made a good impact on the history of Purik. He invaded many small kingdoms of Purik influencing the Purik culture with that of Balti. The palace of Chiktan, known as Chiktan Razi Khar, is famous in Purik and Ladakh. It is said that the architect of this palace was brought from Khapoloo in Baltistan and after the completion of the palace the king tried to chop his hands off but failed to do so due to a clever trick by the architect's wife.

General Zorawar Singh, Commander of the Dogra army, invaded Ladakh in 1846 A D. At that time Tsespal Namgyail was the king. General Zorawar Singh came to Suru Valley through Warwan Pass where he encountered Ladakhi forces at Langkarchey, 35 kms from Kargil towards Sankoo, under the command of General Murup Namgyail. In a fierce battle, General Zorawar Singh defeated the Ladakhi forces and marched ahead towards Leh. He crushed the reinforcement under the command of General Banka Pa at Mulbakh. To sustain his troops, General Zorawar Singh constructed a fort in proper Kargil near the river. Kargil got prominence in the Dogra rule. The Dogras unified the kingdoms of Balistan, Purik, Zanskar and Ladakh and the entire region became a part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The region was divided into three divisions of Skardoo, Kargil and Leh.

Fruit cultivation is restricted to only 47 villages of the district. Apricot is the main fruit crop of the district. The best apricot fruit (halman) is grown in Karkit Chho, Hardass and Shilikchey. In Batalik area, other fruits such as grapes, walnut, almonds, cherry and peaches are also grown on a small area with negligible production. Around 4000 quintals of dried apricot valuing more than Rs 2 crore are produced annually. The number of fruit trees in the district is about 2 lakh, covering an area of 700 hectares. There are six departmental fruit nurseries in the district over an area of 12 hectares with about 70000 fruit plants and the sapplings are distributed to fruit growers.

Local people of Kargil resort to rearing livestock for centuries. Yak, cow, horse, donkey, sheep and goat are commonly found livestock which are fed by a specific variety of fodder and grass grown quickly and is nutritive valued in the district. The district with a sizeable population of different species has a facility of veterinary hospitals and livestock development centres besides farms for yak, cattle and poultry. The Animal Husbandry Department has established a Cattle Breeding Farm at Khurbathang with the help of Desert Development Agency. The main objective of the farm is to function as a source of locally produced bulls for distribution to different Livestock Development Centres in the district. To boost poultry it has been proposed to establish a hatchery at Kargil.

Livestock rearing being an important occupation of the people of the district, the Sheep Husbandry Department has initiated programmes to improve the productivity of the live-stock by way of bringing the entire local indigenous sheep population under the ambit of modern sheep development programme. Kargil is the only district in the country with a Karakul sheep farm.

Out of 127 villages in the district, 97 have been connected so far with linkroads. In the 8th Five Year Plan, 201 schemes were targetted to be achieved at an estimated cost of Rs 29.81 crore. During the first four years of the plan, Rs 19 crore were spent on this sector. More than 60 schemes have been completed during the first four years of the 8th plan. Three major bridges at Sanjak, Thasgam and Kargil have been completed and thrown open for public. Among these, Sanjak is the most important bridge which has been constructed at a cost of Rs 96.25 lakh. The 50 meter span steel girder bridge provides an alternative road between Leh and Kargil. With the completion of the bridge the traffic load on the National Highway at Fotuala and Lamayuru has be lessened. The completion of Thasgam bridge at Sankoo has benefitted the people of Phoolongma and Ghasgam with a population of 7000 souls. The bridge with a span of 72 meters was constructed at a cost of Rs 75 lakh. The Qatl Gah bridge located in the heart of the town aims to lessen the traffic load in the town to a great extent besides beautifying the skyline in the town. The Karsha bridge involving a cost of Rs 65 lakh is the biggest bridge in Zanskar sub-division constructed over Zanskar river near Karshah.

Kargil was thrown open to foreign tourists in 1974. Since then tourism has become a well established part of the local economy and an important sector of the developmental process of the district. It has opened new avenues of investment and profit for the local population. The district receives an average annual tourist traffic of 12,000 foreign and about 5,000 home tourists in normal circumstances.

The Tourism Department is endeavouring to develop tourism facilities in the district. Emphasis is being laid on the development of basic infrastructure at important places so that maximum tourists are attracted. Besides the existing accommodation facilities in tourist dak bungalows at Drass Kargil-I and Kargil-II, a few new dak bungalows have been constructed at different places.

For promotion of tourist industry in Suru Valley which has scenic beauty and trekking potential, an alpine style tourist hut at a cost of Rs 7.65 lakh has been completed at Rangdum and Tangde which will provide adequate accommodation for trekking and mountaineering groups visiting Penzella area and Nun-Kun Peaks.

The district Kargil is a vast and diverse spectrum of tribal culture which is colourful and enchanting. Zanaksar, Drass, Kargil, Wakha, Mulbakh, Chiktan, Darchiks Garkone, Kushow and Kharboo are some of the important cultural glimpses of the district. Various government agencies like the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Department of Information and Department of Tourism organise cultural programmes which attract large crowds prominently the foreign tourists who are fascinated with the cultural richness of the area.