| Charding Nullah | |
| Name Other: | Lhari stream |
| Nickname: | Demchok River |
| Pushpin Map: | Tibet |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Charding Nullah relative to the Tibet Autonomous Region |
| Pushpin Map Alt: | Charding Nullah relative to the Tibet Autonomous Region |
| Pushpin Map Relief: | 0 |
| Subdivision Type1: | country |
| Subdivision Name1: | India, China |
| Subdivision Type2: | province |
| Subdivision Name2: | Ladakh, Tibet Autonomous Region |
| Subdivision Type3: | district |
| Subdivision Name3: | Leh, Ngari Prefecture |
| Subdivision Type4: | subdistrict |
| Subdivision Name4: | Nyoma, Gar |
| Source1 Location: | Charding La |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 32.5573°N 79.3838°W |
| Source1 Elevation: | 5170m (16,960feet) |
| Mouth: | Indus River |
| Mouth Location: | Demchok, Ladakh and Dêmqog, Ngari Prefecture |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 32.7°N 107°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 4200m (13,800feet) |
| River System: | Indus River |
| Tributaries Left: | Nilu Nullah |
| Demchok River | |
| C: | |l=|p = Diǎnjiǎo hé|showflag = p}}The Charding Nullah, traditionally known as the Lhari stream and called Demchok River by China, is a small river that originates near the Charding La pass that is also on the border between the two countries and flows northeast to join the Indus River near a peak called "Demchok Karpo" or "Lhari Karpo" (white holy peak of Demchok). There are villages on both sides of the mouth of the river called by the same name "Demchok", which is presumed to have been a single village originally, and has gotten split into two due to geopolitcal reasons. The river serves as the de facto border between China and India in the southern part of the Demchok sector.EtymologyThe Indian government refers to the river as "Charding Nullah" after its place of origin, the Charding La pass, with nullah meaning a mountain stream. The Chinese government uses the term "Demchok river" by the location of its mouth, near the Demchok Karpo peak and the Demchok village. Some of the historical documents call the river "Lhari stream". Lhari, meaning "holy mountain" in Tibetan, is a reference to the white rocky peak (4,865 m) behind the Ladakhi Demchok village.[1] It has also been referred to as "Lari Karpo" ("white lhari") and "Demchok Lari Karpo" in Tibetan documents. "Lhari stream at Demchok" is the phrase used in the 1684 Treaty of Tingmosgang, forming the basis for the Indian government's identification of the stream with Charding Nullah.[2] The Indian identification is supported by scholars. GeographySourcesThe Charding Nullah originates below the Charding La pass, which is on a large spur that divides the Sutlej river basin from the Indus river basin. In this area, the Sutlej river tributaries flow southeast into West Tibet and the Indus river and its tributaries flow northwest, parallel to the Himalayan ranges. Charding–Nilung Nullah JunctionThe Charding Nullah flows northeast along a narrow mountain valley. Halfway down the valley it is joined by another nullah from the left, called Nilung (or Nilu/Ninglung). The Charding–Nilung Nullah Junction (CNNJ, 4900 m), near Nilding, is recognised by both the Indian and Chinese border troops as a strategic point.[3] Changthang plateauSee main article: Changthang plateau. The entire area surrounding the Charding Nullah is referred to as the Changthang plateau. It consists of rocky mountain heights of Ladakh and Kailas ranges and sandy river valleys which are only good for grazing yaks, sheep and goats (the famous pashmina goats) reared by Changpa nomads. The Indian-controlled northern side of the nullah is close to Hanle, the site of the Hanle Monastery. The Chinese-controlled southern side has the village of Tashigang (Zhaxigang) which also has a monastery, both having been built by the Ladakhi ruler Sengge Namgyal .[4] At the end of Tibet–Ladakh–Mughal War, the Tibetan troops retreated to Tashigang where they fortified themselves.[5] MouthAt the bottom of the valley, the Charding Nullah branches into a 2 km-wide delta as it joins the Indus river.[6] During the British colonial period, there were villages on both the sides of the delta, going by the name "Demchok". The southern village appears to have been the main one, frequently referred to by travelers.[7] [8] Sino-Indian border disputeSee also: Sino-Indian border dispute. Prior to the Sino-Indian War of 1962, India had established a border post to the south of the delta (called "High Ground"). As the war progressed, the post was evacuated and the Chinese forces occupied it. China has repeatedly attempted to block India's access to Patrol Points (PP) in this area of Demchok sector. See alsoBibliography
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"There was only one Lhari in the area, and that was the stream joining the Indus near Demchok at Longitude 79° 28' E and Latitude 32° 42' N."
'At present officially located in India, the village of Demchok marked the border between Tibet and Ladakh for a long time. Abdul Wahid Radhu, a former representative of the Lopchak caravan, described Demchok in his travel account as "the first location on the Tibetan side of the border".'
According to a report by the governor of Ladakh in 1904–05, "I visited Demchok on the boundary with Lhasa. ... A nullah falls into the Indus river from the south-west and it (Demchok) is situated at the junction of the river. Across is the boundary of Lhasa, where there are 8 to 9 huts of the Lhasa zamindars. On this side there are only two zamindars."