Ladakhi

(Ladakhis, Ladaki, Ladakis), a people living in Ladakh in the northeastern part of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Population, more than 56,000 (1971 census).

In anthropological terms, the Ladakhi are Mongoloids. The Ladakhi language is related to the Sino-Tibetan family. The religion of the majority of the Ladakhi is Lamaism. The La-dakhi’s livelihood comes mostly from agriculture in the river valleys and livestock raising in the mountainous regions. Until the middle of the 20th century, the transit trade between India and such Central Asian countries as China, Mongolia, and Tibet played an important role in the economy of the Ladakhi. They led caravans and owned the trans-shipping points. The material culture of the Ladakhi is similar to that of the Tibetans. Social relations remain feudal and feudal-patriarchal. Alongside monogamy, fraternal polyandry is somewhat common. The land and other property is inherited by the eldest son.