Hindu Kush
Topic: World Physical Features and Natural Regions · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Hindu Kush is a high mountain range about 800 km long. It runs through central Afghanistan into northern Pakistan, west of the Pamirs. It is part of the Alpine-Himalayan belt of young fold mountains. Its highest peak is Tirich Mir (about 7,700 m). For centuries, its passes and the passes near it made the old land route between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
Example
The Salang Pass crosses the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan. The Khyber Pass lies just south, in the Spin Ghar range. Together these passes carried traders and invaders between Central Asia and India.
Don't confuse with
- Karakoram: lies east of the Hindu Kush and links the Pamir Knot to the Himalaya. The Hindu Kush runs south-west from the Pamirs into Afghanistan.
- Spin Ghar: a separate, smaller range south of the Hindu Kush. The Khyber Pass is in the Spin Ghar, not in the Hindu Kush itself.