Mountain Ranges of Jammu & Kashmir – Notes
🔶 1. Karakoram Range
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Location: Northernmost part of Ladakh (bordering China & Pakistan).
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Highest Peak: K2 (Godwin Austen) – 8,611 m (2nd highest in the world).
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Important Glacier: Siachen Glacier – longest glacier in India.
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Strategic Pass: Karakoram Pass (connects India to China – on trade route).
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Important Rivers: Shyok, Nubra (tributaries of Indus) originate here.
🔶 2. Zanskar Range
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Location: South of the Ladakh Range.
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Major Pass: Pensi La Pass – connects Kargil to Zanskar.
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Important River: Zanskar River – tributary of the Indus.
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Noted For: Deep gorges and frozen river trek (Chadar Trek).
🔶 3. Ladakh Range
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Location: Between Indus River and Zanskar Range.
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Altitude: Avg. 5,500 – 6,000 meters.
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Characteristics: Dry, cold desert region (Leh lies in Ladakh Range).
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Formed By: Upliftment of sedimentary rocks (Tethys Sea origin).
🔶 4. Greater Himalayas (Himadri)
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Location: South of Zanskar Range.
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Important Peaks: Nun (7,135 m) & Kun (7,077 m) – Highest in J&K.
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Covered With: Snow throughout the year; source of major rivers.
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Noted Glacier: Drang Drung Glacier (near Pensi La).
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Passes: Zoji La (connects Srinagar–Leh), Banihal Pass.
🔶 5. Pir Panjal Range
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Location: South of Kashmir Valley, running from Poonch to Kullu.
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Major Passes:
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Pir Panjal Pass (historic Mughal Road).
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Banihal Pass (Jawahar Tunnel passes through).
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Famous Peak: Tatakooti.
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Importance: Divides Kashmir Valley from Jammu region.
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Snowfall: Receives heavy snow in winter; ski resort Gulmarg lies here.
🔶 6. Shivalik Range (Outer Himalayas)
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Location: Southernmost range in Jammu division.
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Height: 600 to 1,500 meters.
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Features: Hills with forested areas; forms part of outer hills in Jammu.
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Soil: Prone to erosion; composed of unconsolidated sediments.
📝 Important Points Summary (Quick Facts)
| Mountain Range | Highest Peak | Key Passes | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karakoram | K2 | Karakoram Pass | Northern Ladakh |
| Zanskar | - | Pensi La | South of Ladakh Range |
| Ladakh | - | - | Leh Region |
| Greater Himalayas | Nun-Kun Peaks | Zoji La | Between Kashmir–Ladakh |
| Pir Panjal | Tatakooti | Banihal, Pir Panjal | South of Kashmir Valley |
| Shivalik | - | - | Outer Jammu Hills |
🧠 MCQ Questions – Mountain Ranges of J&K
Q1. The highest peak in Jammu & Kashmir is:
A) Tatakooti
B) Nun
C) K2
D) Harmukh
✅ Answer: C) K2
Q2. Which mountain range separates Kashmir Valley from the Jammu region?
A) Zanskar Range
B) Greater Himalayas
C) Pir Panjal Range
D) Shivalik Range
✅ Answer: C) Pir Panjal Range
Q3. Siachen Glacier is located in which range?
A) Zanskar
B) Ladakh
C) Karakoram
D) Pir Panjal
✅ Answer: C) Karakoram
Q4. Banihal Pass lies in which mountain range?
A) Greater Himalayas
B) Pir Panjal Range
C) Zanskar Range
D) Shivalik Range
✅ Answer: B) Pir Panjal Range
Q5. The Pensi La Pass connects Kargil to:
A) Leh
B) Zanskar
C) Nubra
D) Srinagar
✅ Answer: B) Zanskar
Q6. Gulmarg, a famous tourist spot, lies in which range?
A) Shivalik
B) Pir Panjal
C) Zanskar
D) Ladakh
✅ Answer: B) Pir Panjal
Q7. The Zoji La Pass connects which two regions?
A) Jammu – Kashmir
B) Leh – Ladakh
C) Srinagar – Leh
D) Jammu – Poonch
✅ Answer: C) Srinagar – Leh
From North to South (Geographical Order):
| Order | Mountain Range | Location / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karakoram Range | Northernmost; border with China & Pakistan |
| 2 | Ladakh Range | South of Karakoram; Leh region |
| 3 | Zanskar Range | South of Ladakh Range |
| 4 | Greater Himalayas | South of Zanskar; includes Nun-Kun Peaks |
| 5 | Pir Panjal Range | South of Greater Himalayas; surrounds Kashmir Valley |
| 6 | Shivalik Range | Southernmost; outer Himalayas in Jammu |
⛰️ 2. From Highest to Lowest (Altitude-wise)
| Order | Mountain Range | Average Height | Highest Peak/Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karakoram Range | 6,000 – 8,600 m | K2 (8,611 m) |
| 2 | Greater Himalayas | 6,000 – 7,100 m | Nun (7,135 m), Kun (7,077 m) |
| 3 | Zanskar Range | 5,500 – 6,400 m | Pensi La region |
| 4 | Ladakh Range | 5,000 – 5,500 m | No distinct high peak |
| 5 | Pir Panjal Range | 3,000 – 4,500 m | Tatakooti, Banihal Pass |
| 6 | Shivalik Range | 600 – 1,500 m | Outer hills of Jammu |
📌 Summary Table
| Rank | Range Name | Direction (North→South) | Altitude Rank (High→Low) | Notable Feature / Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karakoram | 1st (Northernmost) | 1st | K2, Siachen Glacier |
| 2 | Ladakh | 2nd | 4th | Leh, cold desert |
| 3 | Zanskar | 3rd | 3rd | Pensi La Pass, Zanskar River |
| 4 | Greater Himalayas | 4th | 2nd | Nun-Kun Peaks, Zoji La |
| 5 | Pir Panjal | 5th | 5th | Banihal, Gulmarg, Tatakooti |
| 6 | Shivalik | 6th (Southernmost) | 6th | Outer hills, erosion-prone |
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MCQs on Mountain Ranges in Jammu & Kashmir
1. Which is the highest mountain range in Jammu and Kashmir?
A. Zanskar Range
B. Ladakh Range
C. Greater Himalayas
D. Pir Panjal Range
✅ Answer: C. Greater Himalayas
2. Arrange the following ranges from North to South:
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Karakoram
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Zanskar
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Pir Panjal
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Shivalik
A. 1-2-3-4
B. 4-3-2-1
C. 1-3-2-4
D. 2-1-3-4
✅ Answer: A. 1-2-3-4
3. The Zoji La Pass connects:
A. Jammu to Poonch
B. Srinagar to Leh
C. Anantnag to Kishtwar
D. Kargil to Drass
✅ Answer: B. Srinagar to Leh
4. Which mountain range separates Kashmir Valley from Ladakh?
A. Ladakh Range
B. Karakoram Range
C. Zanskar Range
D. Pir Panjal Range
✅ Answer: C. Zanskar Range
5. Pir Panjal Range lies between:
A. Ladakh and Zanskar
B. Kashmir Valley and Jammu region
C. Leh and Gilgit
D. Karakoram and Greater Himalayas
✅ Answer: B. Kashmir Valley and Jammu region
6. Which range is known for Mughal Road and Banihal Pass?
A. Zanskar
B. Ladakh
C. Pir Panjal
D. Shivalik
✅ Answer: C. Pir Panjal
7. Which is the southernmost range in Jammu & Kashmir?
A. Greater Himalayas
B. Pir Panjal
C. Shivalik
D. Ladakh
✅ Answer: C. Shivalik
8. The Drass Valley, one of the coldest inhabited places in India, is located in:
A. Shivalik Range
B. Zanskar Range
C. Karakoram Range
D. Ladakh Range
✅ Answer: D. Ladakh Range
9. Which of the following is the correct elevation order (highest to lowest)?
A. Karakoram > Zanskar > Pir Panjal > Shivalik
B. Zanskar > Pir Panjal > Karakoram > Shivalik
C. Shivalik > Pir Panjal > Zanskar > Karakoram
D. Pir Panjal > Karakoram > Zanskar > Shivalik
✅ Answer: A. Karakoram > Zanskar > Pir Panjal > Shivalik
10. Karakoram Range is famous for which of the following peaks?
A. K2
B. Nun Kun
C. Harmukh
D. Kolahoi
✅ Answer: A. K2
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