Hindu Kush; The Hindu Slayer

Extending from central Afghanistan to north-western Pakistan is the great mountain range of Hindu Kush. It roughly marks the boundary between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The word Hindu-Kush means 'The Killer of Hindus' and the range has been named so because a number of Hindu slaves died here due to extreme climate. It's highest peak is Tirch Mir which has a height of 7690m while the average elevation of Hindu Kush is about 4500m.



Alexander the great, along with his great army, passed through this range in 327 B.C. Also the mid-eval Muslim traveler Ibn-e-Batuta mentioned this range in his chroniclers. The passes of this range have been of a great military importance because via these passes Soviet union could launch an attack against British India. Today America is fighting the war against Taliban in the part of Hindu Kush present in Afghanistan. The eastern part of Hindu Kush present in Pakistan is a heaven for mountaineers and tourists as some of the most sublime valleys (including the famous Chitral valley) and towering mountains are present in this region. The famous mountains include:

• Darban Zom- 23687 ft./7220 m.


• Istor-o-Nal- 23871 ft./7276 m.


• Koyo Zom- 22603 ft./6889 m.


• Noshaq- 24581 ft./7492 m.


• Saraghrar- 24110 ft./7349 m.


• Shachaur- 23241 ft./7084 m.


• Trich Mir- 25282 ft./7706 m.


• Asso peak- 19029 ft./5800 m.

"The Karakoram and Hindukush, at the western end of the great mountain chain of South Asia and Central Asia, contain the greatest concentration of high peaks and the greatest expanse of glaciers of any mountain range outside the subpolar zones of our planet. These mountains are also home to a kaleidoscope of people, whose diversity and uniqueness offer a personal counterpoint to the immensity of the physical terrain and climate extremes". [John Mock & Kimberley O'Neil ]

A picturesque hut with the Hindu Kush mountains in the background