General Zorawar Fort stands above Leh Palace and is named for Zorawar Singh, the Dogra general who annexed Ladakh and Baltistan in the nineteenth century. It is a modest fort with an outsized history. Zorawar Singh served as governor of Kishtwar, campaigned across Ladakh and Baltistan, and was killed in battle in western Tibet in 1841.
Duke Kashmir Travels, holding J&K Department of Tourism registration JKTA00003978 since 2011, includes the Leh town sites on Ladakh itineraries. Packages start near ₹6,350 per person, two sharing.
By Duke Kashmir Travels Team · Reviewed by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, Founder · Published · Updated
Key takeaways
- Just above Leh Palace, in the old town.
- Named for General Zorawar Singh, also remembered at Riasi in Jammu.
- He was governor of Kishtwar before campaigning into Ladakh and Baltistan.
- He died in battle in western Tibet in 1841.
- The best months are May to September, like all of Ladakh.
- Short visit — combine with Leh Palace and the old town below.
Who was Zorawar Singh?
A Dogra general in the service of Jammu who annexed Ladakh and then Baltistan in the 1830s and early 1840s, and was killed in battle in Tibet in 1841.
His campaigns are the reason Ladakh became part of the Dogra state and, later, of Jammu and Kashmir. Local memory of him is complicated, which is worth keeping in mind when you visit.
What is there to see?
The fort structure and the view: Leh Palace immediately below, the old town beyond it and the Stok range across the valley.
It is a short visit rather than a museum. The climb is steep in places and Leh sits above 3,500 metres, so take it slowly for the first day or two after arriving.
How does it fit a Leh day?
With Leh Palace, the old town bazaar and Jama Masjid, all within walking distance of each other.
That group makes a comfortable half day while you acclimatise, before longer drives out to the Indus valley monasteries. See tour ideas.
Booking this with us
Duke Kashmir Travels has held Department of Tourism registration JKTA00003978 since March 2011 and has been an IATO allied member since 2016. The full list of registrations sits on our About Us page.
Send your dates and traveller count and we will build the itinerary around it. Call +91 9018 44 0000, email info@dukekashmirtravels.com or use the contact page.
About the founder
Rayies Ahmad Zargar founded Duke Kashmir Travels in Srinagar in 2011 and still runs it. He co-founded the JK Tourism Council and reviews the guides published here, including this one. Profile on LinkedIn.