King Yabgo Mohammad Khan Kacho
Traces of a Dynasty
Petroglyphs stand as the sole tangible remnants, offering insights into Ladakh's prehistoric era, predating its recorded history. Even within the known history of Ladakh spanning a millennium, gaps and inconsistencies persist. The historical accounts of Nubra are particularly sparse, with scant information extending beyond the 15th century, especially concerning the lineage of its rulers. Turtuk, a colourful and distinctly Muslim village bordering Pakistan’s Northern areas, stands out as a noteworthy exception.
With a family tree that goes back more than 30 generations displayed in his small palace-cum-museum in Turtuk village, King Yabgo Mohammad Khan Kacho traces his ancestry back to the Yabgo dynasty that originated in Western Turkistan.
In the 8th century, the 12th ruler of this dynasty, Beg Manthal, extended his rule to Khapulu Chhorbat in the western reaches of Ghizer (now a part of northern Pakistan). The religion of the first 25 rulers is not known, but the dynasty converted to Islam with the 26th ruler, Muqeem Khan. During the reign of the 32nd king, Yabgo Sikiem (1550–1590 CE), the kingdom was divided into three parts. After India’s war with Pakistan in 1971, four villages of the sub-kingdom of Khapulu Chhorbat, including Turtuk, were annexed by India.
An Illustrious Lineage
Family heirlooms at the Turtuk museum
A special baton crafted from animal bone
Village locals - Turtuk
Children in the village square
