UpdateBot at 15:55, 11 June 2022

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{{Short description|Mountain pass in Kashmir}}
{{Infobox mountain pass
| name = Indira Col
| native_name = {{lang-hi|इंदिरा कोल}}
| other_name = '''Indira Col West''', '''Main Indira Col'''
| photo =
| photo_caption =
| elevation_m = 5764
| elevation_ref =
| traversed =
| location = On the border between Chinese-controlled [[Trans-Karakoram Tract]] and Indian-controlled [[Siachen Glacier]].<ref name="bbc">India is in ''de facto'' control of this region of Kashmir; the Indian claim is disputed by [[Pakistan]]. See e.g. ''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/south_asia/03/kashmir_future/html/default.stm The Future of Kashmir]'' on the [[BBC]] website.</ref> 
| range = Eastern [[Karakoram]] Range
| map = Karakoram#India Ladakh#India#Gilgit Baltistan#Pakistan#China Xinjiang Southern#China
| map_caption = Location of the Indira Col within the greater [[Karakoram]] region
| label_position = top
| coordinates = {{coord|type:pass|display=title,inline}}
| topo =
| embedded = {{Infobox mapframe |wikidata=yes |zoom=6 |coord={{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}}
}}
__NOTOC__
'''Indira Col West''' ({{lang-hi|इंदिरा कोल पश्चिम}}) is a mountain pass at {{convert|5,988|m|ft}}) altitude on the Indira Ridge of [[Siachen Muztagh]] in [[Karakoram Range]]. It is on the border between Indian-controlled [[Siachen Glacier]] and the Chinese-controlled [[Trans-Karakoram Tract]] (both in the disputed [[Kashmir region]]), close to the [[tripoint]] of India, Pakistan, and China.
The India-Pakistan [[Actual Ground Position Line]] (AGPL) in the Siachen area ends near the pass.<ref name=colind1>[http://tribune.com.pk/story/368394/the-fight-for-siachen/ The fight for Siachen]</ref><ref name=colind2>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianconversations.com/SiachenGlacier.php |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-04-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412102328/http://www.asianconversations.com/SiachenGlacier.php |archive-date=2015-04-12 }}</ref><ref name=colind3>[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/siachen-while-the-battle-continues-to-rage-no-settlement-is-in-sight/1/306971.html They shall not pass]</ref><ref name=colind4>{{Cite web |url=http://www.timescrest.com/opinion/bullish-on-siachen-9572 |title=Bullish on siachen |access-date=2014-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222021918/http://www.timescrest.com/opinion/bullish-on-siachen-9572 |archive-date=2014-02-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
It is possible to ascend the pass from both the north and south sides controlled by China and India respectively.<ref name=imf4/>

'''Indira Col East''' (Coord {{Coord|35|39|40|N|76|48|10|E|type:pass|display=inline}}),<ref name=swa1/> also ''Main Indira Col'' or just ''Indira Col'' ({{lang-zh|因地拉科}}),<ref name=indi1/><ref name=imf2/> is another col on Indira Ridge which lies 2.4 km further east of Indira Col West at {{convert|5,764|m|ft}}) altitude. It is more difficult to ascend or descend on the north side controlled by China, but easier to do so from the south side controlled by India.<ref name=swa1/>

'''India Saddle''' (Coord {{Coord|35|39|50|N|76|48|20|E|type:pass|display=inline}}), a [[Saddle (landform)|geographical saddle]], connects the Indira Col East and Indira Col West.<ref name=swa1/>

'''Indira Ridge''' separates the Chinese-controlled [[Trans-Karakoram Tract]], which lies north of Indira Ridge, from the [[Siachen Glacier]], which lies south of Indira Ridge. The AGPL end point, Indira Col West, Indira Col East, Indira Saddle, Turkestan La North, and Turkestan La East lie on the Indira Ridge from west to east.<ref name=swa1/><ref name=swa3/>

== History ==
===Etymology===
The ''la'' in [[Ladakhi language]] means a mountain pass. The eastern col was named '''Indira Col''' in 1912 by [[Fanny Bullock Workman|Bullock Workman]], after one of the names of the goddess [[Lakshmi]].<ref name=imf2>{{Cite web
|last = Kapadia
|first = Harish
|author-link = Harish Kapadia
|title = On the Siachen Glacier, Part 2
|publisher = Indian Mountaineering Federation
|year = 1998
|url = http://www.indmount.org/roseexpedition.html
|access-date = 2010-08-23
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110726174853/http://www.indmount.org/roseexpedition.html
|archive-date = 2011-07-26
}}</ref>

=== Exploration ===

In 1889, British raj army officer and explorer [[Francis Younghusband]] reached the base of Turkestan La (North) from [[Trans-Karakoram Tract|north side]], and he noted that this was a long glacier and a major Central Asian dividing range.<ref name=swa1/>

Colonel [[Colonel Narendra Kumar|Narendra "Bull" Kumar]] reached Indira Col (the western col) in 1981.<ref name=indi1>[http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/LGHTfRB4vQFou30J4noLcJ/Bull8217s-glacier.html Bull’s glacier]</ref><ref>[http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/the-colonel-who-got-us-siachen The Colonel Who Got Us Siachen]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?262249 |title=Ice Station Taurus |access-date=2014-02-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222220113/http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?262249 |archive-date=2014-02-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1998 [[Harish Kapadia]] reached the same col; on his map and text he refers to it as the "''main Indira Col''" and "''Indira Col West''", whereas he refers to the col 2.4 km to the east as the "''Indira Col East'' (''[[Fanny Bullock Workman|Workman]]'')."
<ref name=Kapadia1>{{cite book
| last =Kapadia
| first =Harish
| author-link = Harish Kapadia
| title =Across Peaks & Passes in Ladakh, Zanskar & East Karakoram
| publisher =Indus Publishing Company
| year =1999
| location =New Delhi, India
| pages = 94; 186–89; 195
| isbn = 81-7387-100-0}}</ref> '''Indirakoli Pass'''（{{lang-zh|因地拉科里山口}}） name on the Chinese maps refers to {{Coord|35|40|17|N|76|50|26|E|type:pass|display=inline}} coordinates is claimed by Pakistan,<ref name="IBS64">{{citation |url= http://fall.fsulawrc.com/collection/LimitsinSeas/IBS085.pdf|title=International Boundary Study No. 85 – China-Pakistan Boundary|date=15 November 1968|access-date=24 September 2018}}</ref> which is "Indira Col East".

In 1984, Indian soldiers traveled across Siachen glacier, scaled many peaks and passes including the Indira Col as part of the [[Operation Meghdoot]].

After that, [[Harish Kapadia]] and his colleagues also explored various peaks passes, ranges subranges and glaciers in the Siachen area.

=== Disputed territories ===

Territories on all sides of Indira Col are [[Siachen conflict|disputed]]. Area south of the Indira Col West is controlled by India and also claimed by Pakistan. North of Indira Col West is Trans-Karakoram Tract claimed by India but controlled by China under a [[Sino-Pakistan Agreement|1963 border agreement with Pakistan]].<ref name=ibs>{{Citation
|author=The Geographer, Office of the Geographer |author-link=Office of the Geographer
|title=China – Pakistan Boundary
|url=http://blankonthemap.free.fr/3_geographie/33_karakoram/337_siachen/doc/Boundaries_Shaksgam.pdf
|series=International Boundary Study
|volume=85
|date=November 15, 1968
|publisher=Florida State University College of Law
}}</ref> The AGPL generally runs along the [[Saltoro Mountains]] range, beginning from the northernmost point of the ([[Line of Control|LOC]]) at Point [[NJ 9842]] and ending northwest of ''Indira Col West'' in the north, with peaks in excess of 7,000 meters and average low temperatures around minus 50 celsius.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2020/aug/31/revisiting-siachen-after-the-ladakh-stand-off-2190461.html|title=Revisiting Siachen after the Ladakh stand-off}}</ref> India gained control of {{convert|1000|sqmi|km2}} of disputed territory in 1984 because of its [[Siachen_conflict|military operations]] in Siachen.<ref name=":1">{{cite news | url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958254-2,00.html | publisher=Time.com | title=The Himalayas War at the Top Of the World | date=31 July 1989 | first=Edward W. | last=Desmond/Kashmir | access-date=11 October 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114104526/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C958254-2%2C00.html | archive-date=14 January 2009 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="time.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958254-2,00.html|title=The Himalayas War at the Top Of the World|first=Edward W.|last=Desmond|date=31 July 1989|via=www.time.com|access-date=11 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114104526/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C958254-2%2C00.html|archive-date=14 January 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Geography ==

=== India-China-Pakistan borders ===
Indira Col is near the tri-junction of India-China-Pakistan controlled areas.

=== Indira Ridge's features ===
{{anchor | Indira Ridge}}

Indira Ridge, from west to east, has following features:<ref name=swa1/><ref name=swa3/>
* ''[[Sia Kangri]]'',
* ''Indira Col West'' ,
* ''India Saddle'' ,
* ''Indira Col East'',
* '''Turkestan La (North)''' (Younghusband) ({{lang-zh|图尔吉斯坦拉山口}}, coordinates {{Coord|35|39|24|N|76|51|38|E|type:pass|display=inline}}) which was identified by the British explorer [[Francis Younghusband|Younghusband]], and
* '''Turkestan La (East)''' (traditional) (coordinates {{Coord|35|39|00|N|76|51|35|E|type:pass|display=inline}}) which is an ancient or "traditional" pass.

=== AGPL end point ===
* ''[[Actual Ground Position Line#AGPL|AGPL end point]]'',

=== India Saddle ===
{{anchor | India Saddle}}

Between Indira Col West and Indira Col East is ''India Saddle'' between the [[Siachen Glacier]] to the south and the Urdok Glacier to the north in the Shaksgam (Trans-Karakoram Tract), on the watershed between the [[Indus River]] basin and the [[Tarim Basin]]. It is too steep to easily descend north from the col to the Urdok Glacier.<ref name=imf4>{{Cite web
|last = Kapadia
|first = Harish
|author-link = Harish Kapadia
|title = On the Siachen Glacier, Part 4
|publisher = Indian Mountaineering Federation
|year = 1998
|url = http://www.indmount.org/theindiraridge.html
|access-date = 2010-08-23
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110726174750/http://www.indmount.org/theindiraridge.html
|archive-date = 2011-07-26
}}</ref>

=== Siachen Glacier's topography ===
{{anchor | Siachen topography }}

The main channel of ''Siachen Glacier'', which flows from north to south into India, begins from the southern slope of Indira Col West. The ''Urdok Glacier'', which flows from south to north into ''Trans-Karakoram Tract'' held by China, begins from the northern slope of Indira Col West, its subbranches ''Urdok I'' glacier flows from north to northwest from the northern slope of ''India Col East'' and ''Urdok II'' glacier flows north to northwest from the northern slope of ''Turkmenistan La North''.<ref name=swa1/>

''Straghar Glacier'' runs perpendicular to the Indira Ridge on the eastern side of the ridge [and serves as the [[Line of Actual Control|LAC]] between ''Trans-Karakoram Tract'' held by China and ''[[Daulat Beg Oldi]]'' (DBO) held by India].<ref name=swa1>[[Harish Kapadia]], 1999, Saga of Siachen, The Himalayan Journal, Vol.55.</ref><ref name=swa3>2015, [https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/B740595220CAA3299AD969CF49BC061B/S0022143000202062a.pdf/mass_balance_of_siachen_glacier_nubra_valley_karakoram_himalaya_facts_or_flaws.pdf Mass baalance of Siachen glacier], Journal of Glaciology, Vol. 61, No. 229, p.1012.</ref> The ''Siachen Glacier'' is explored from the ''[[Siachen Base Camp (India)|Siachen Base Camp]]'', reachable via [[Leh]]-[[Khalsar, Leh|Khalsar]]-[[Sasoma]] army camp-Siachen Base camp road, to the ''Station A'' which is the point where main channel of Siachen Glacier meets the ''Teram Shehr Glacier''. From the ''Station A'', the route goes north to Indira Col West.

== See also ==

; Borders
* [[Actual Ground Position Line]] (AGPL)
* [[India–Pakistan border|India–Pakistan International Border]] {IB)
* [[Line of Control]] {LoC)
* [[Line of Actual Control]] (LAC)
* [[Sir Creek]] (SC)
* [[Borders of China]]
* [[Borders of India]]
* [[:Category:Borders of Pakistan|Borders of Pakistan]]

; Conflicts
* [[Kashmir conflict]]
* [[Siachen conflict]]
* [[Sino-Indian War|Sino-Indian conflict]]
* [[:Category:Territorial disputes of China|List of disputed territories of China]]
* [[List of disputed territories of India]]
* [[:Category:Territorial disputes of Pakistan|List of disputed territories of Pakistan]]
* [[Northern Areas]]
* [[Trans-Karakoram Tract]]

; Operations
* [[Operation Meghdoot]] 1984 in Siachen, by India
* [[Operation Rajiv]] 1987 in Siachen, by India
* [[Operation Safed Sagar]] 1999 in Kargil War, by India

; Other related topics
* [[Awards and decorations of the Indian Armed Forces]]
* [[Bana Singh]], after whom Quaid Post was renamed to Bana Top
* [[Dafdar]], westernmost town in Trans-Karakoram Tract
* [[India-China Border Roads]]
* [[List of extreme points of India]]
* [[Sino-Pakistan Agreement]] for transfer of Trans-Karakoram Tract to China

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://blankonthemap.free.fr/3_geographie/31_cartographie/312_cartes_us/312_baltoro_us2.htm Map at ''Blank on the Map'']

{{Xinjiang topics}}
{{Mountain passes of China}}
{{Mountain passes of India}}
{{Ladakh}}

[[Category:Karakoram]]
[[Category:Mountain passes of Ladakh]]
[[Category:Border tripoints]]
[[Category:India–Pakistan border]]
[[Category:Mountain passes of India]]
[[Category:China–India border]]
[[Category:Mountain passes of China]]
[[Category:Mountain passes of Xinjiang]]

Indira Col - Revision history

UpdateBot at 15:55, 11 June 2022