Minsar Moincêr | |
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village | |
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  Minsar | |
| Coordinates:31°11′N80°46′E / 31.18°N 80.76°E /31.18; 80.76 | |
| Country |  People's Republic of China |
| Region | Tibet Autonomous Region |
| Prefecture | Ngari |
| County | Gar |
Minsar[1] orMoincêr[a] (Tibetan:མོན་འཚེར,Wylie:mon 'tsher,THL:mön tser)[2] orMenshi (Chinese:门士;pinyin:Mén shì)[2] is a village and the centre of a township in theNgari Prefecture of theTibet region of China.[3] Between 1684 and 1950s, it was a treaty enclave ofKingdom of Ladakh, which later in 1846 becameprincely state of Jammu and Kashmir under British suzerainty.[4] Since late 1950s, it has been administered by Tibet Autonomous Region, China.[5]
Minsar is located south-west of MountKailash (Mount Ti-se). It is close to the Tirthapuri Monastery on the bank of theSutlej River. The Chinese National HighwayG219 passes by Minsar.
Prior to theTibet–Ladakh–Mughal War (1679–1684), the Kingdom of Ladakh controlled the whole of theNgari region (present day western Tibet). Central Tibet, consolidated by theFifth Dalai Lama, conquered and occupied Ngari, but was driven back from Ladakh proper by the forces of theMughal Empire fromKashmir.[b] Lhasa sent the sixth Drukchen from Bhutan,Gyalwang Mipham Wangpo to negotiate truce terms with Ladakh. In the resultingTreaty of Tingmosgang, Ladakh agreed to cede the whole of western Tibet to Lhasa retaining only a tract around Minsar for supporting the worship at MountKailas.[6]
Minsar appears to have been used for porterage for the Ladakhi trade caravans to Tibet.[7]
Minsar depends on its smallcoal-mining industry; from which it once produced large amounts ofore from its nearby mines. The village is small and its villagers live depending heavily on yaks for agriculture and trade.[citation needed]
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