Hindu Raj

The Hindu Raj (Urdu: ہندو راج, translation: "Hindu rule" in Sanskrit) is a mountain range in northern Pakistan, between the Hindu Kush and the Karakoram ranges.^[1] The peaks in the Hindu Raj mountains average between 5,000 and 6,000 metres in height.^[2] Its highest peak is Koyo Zom, 6,872 m (22,546 ft).^[2]

Hindu Raj Mountains
Koyo Zom
Highest point
Peak	Koyo Zom
Elevation	6,872 m (22,546 ft)
Naming
Native name	سلسلہ کوہ ہندو راج (Urdu)
Geography
Hindu Raj Mountains
State(s)	Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan)
Range coordinates	36°19′42″N 72°59′55″E

Etymology

The name Hindu Raj (हिन्दू राज) means "Hindu rule" in Sanskrit and its descendant languages, such as Hindi-Urdu.^[1] The word Hindu, used to describe the inhabitants in the land of the Sindhu (Indus) River, is ultimately derived from the Sanskrit word Sindhu (सिन्धु), which means "a large body of water";^[3] the word raj means "rule" in Sanskrit.^[4]

Geography

The Hindu Raj mountain range runs between Chitral and Gilgit; behind Darkot,^[5] south of the Pamir Mountains and east of the Hindu Kush.^[2] Its peaks rise to approximately 22,500 feet.^[6] The Hindu Raj mountains run largely parallel to the Hindu Kush mountains, sources disagree whether some peaks, including Buni Zom and Ghamubar Zom are in the Hindu Raj or the Hindu Kush.^[7]

Notable peaks of the Hindu Raj

[edit]

Peak	Height (m)	Coordinates	Prominence (m)	First ascent
Koyo Zom	6,889	35°56′51″N 75°45′12″E	1,891	1968; 2019, west face[8][9]
Buni Zom	6,551	36° 9′ 15″ N, 72° 19′ 39″ E	2,845	1957
Ghamubar Zom[10] also known as Gamugal, or Dhuli Chish	6,518	36° 35′ 24″ N, 73° 20′ 30″ E	2,133	1973[11][12]
Gul Lasht Zom	6,657	36° 21′ 10.8″ N, 71° 44′ 2.4″ E	1,060	1975
Thui I[13]	6,662	36° 43' 33'' N, 73° 10' 24'' E	1,059	1975[14][15]
Thui II[16]	6,523	36° 42' 0'' N, 73° 3' 54'' E	1,272	1978[17]
Ghamubar V (alternatively Ghamubar II)	6,400			2023[18]
Shahan Dok (Shah Dok)[19]	6,320	36° 26' N, 72° 52' E	1,815	1988[20]
Chaintar Chish	6,273			1968[11][5]
Garmush Zom I	6,244			1975[21][22]
Karka	6,222	36° 43′ 45″ N, 73° 53′ 25″ E		2007[23]
Garmush Zom II (Garmush Zom South)	6,180			2000[24]
Chikar Zom	6,110			1968[25]
Dashbar Zom	6,072			1968[11]
Chotar Zom (Dashbar Zom)	6,058			2007[11][26]
Garmush North	6,048			no ascents recorded[24]
Shayaz[27]	6,026	36° 39' N, 72° 50' E	1,797	1993[28]
Uddin Zom (formerly Peak 5995 m)	6,010			2000[29]
Matkash	6,000			1975[30]
Kachqiant	5,990	36°37'0.25"N, 73°14'35.40"E		2018[31]
Shahan Dok III	5,893			1986[20]
Khache Brangsa	5,560			2001[32]
Ghonoboro	5,500			2001[32]