This is an elicitation of a word list of temporal and directional words and concepts, color terms, religious terms, words related to profession, metals and precious stones, adjectives (related to physical sensation, size and shape, quality and quantity), person-related words, abstract terms, personal pronouns, and family relations in the Central (Zhung) variety of the Zangskari language. Recorded in Youlang village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

Ghulam Abbas describes Sunni Islam in the Zangskar region, beginning with the tale of a Leh king dispatching his son to govern Zangskar. In a poignant letter to his father, the prince pleads for his companion "Ju," a Muslim, to join him. This tale takes a pivotal turn when Ju, desiring halal meat, invites a Muslim butcher to Zangskar. The butcher’s eventual settlement and matrimony mark the beginning of the Muslim community in the region. Abbas also draws attention to the abodes of these early Muslim settlers, enriching the narrative’s depth. Recorded in Padum village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

Tshering Garmo and Tshering Dolma, sisters from the village of Karsha in Zangskar, share personal narratives about their family and life in Zangskar. Assisted by Sonam Phalkay, we delve into memories of his grandmother and her younger sister. A candid pre-interview exchange unfolds between the Tshering sisters and Chhuskit Angmo (Sonam's mother) while the recording equipment was being set up, which enriches the narrative. Recorded in Youlang village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

The Epic of Gesar (also spelled Kesar) is one of the world's longest epics and is widely sung and narrated across the Tibetan Plateau and in parts of Central Asia. This grand narrative chronicles the life and adventures of the heroic figure, Gesar of Ling. The saga unfolds through numerous episodes, with one of its earliest segments detailing the miraculous birth of Gesar. Before this event, the kingdom of Ling found itself in dire need of a leader. In the inaugural episode, Tashi Zangmo from Sani village—one of the last remaining bards in Zangskar—narrates how Agu Gani, Gesar’s uncle and an elder in the kingdom, persuades the warrior God, Tshangspa Karpo, to bestow the kingdom of Ling with a king. This divine intervention culminates in the miraculous birth of Gesar. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

This is an elicitation of a word list consisting of words related to fire and fuel, flora and fauna in the Central (Zhung) variety of the Zangskari language. Recorded in Youlang village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

This recording captures an in-depth elicitation session of words in the Central (Zhung) variety of the Zangskari language, encompassing several diverse categories such as celestial entities, nature-related elements, household and farm equipment, food items, temporal and directional concepts, color terms, religious terminology, professional words, metals, precious stones, and various adjectives detailing physical sensation, size, shape, quality, and quantity. With Chhuskit Angmo as the consultant, this session revisits the same word list earlier elicited from Tshering Garmo, serving as a cross-check for consistency and variation. Recorded in Youlang village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

This is an elicitation of a word list consisting of numerals (mainly cardinal and some ordinal) and a few body parts in the Central (Zhung) variety of the Zangskari language. Recorded in Youlang village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

This is an elicitation of a word list consisting of numerals, words related to person (body parts, body functions), the physical universe (celestial entities, nature-related objects, and events), house and household items, farm and farming equipment, and food items in the Central (Zhung) variety of the Zangskari language. Recorded in Youlang village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

In this enlightening discussion, Prof. Tadeusz Slupski of Poland, a visitor to Zangskar since November 1977, discusses the cultural shifts over the decades with a couple from Sani village. Slupski narrates the socio-cultural transformations he witnessed since his initial visit and invites the couple to expand on these changes from their firsthand experiences. They discuss the nuances of the architectural evolution of Zangskari houses, delving into traditional heating and lighting methods, recalling cherished olden poems, songs, and dances—emphasizing the "chham" (Chham) dance and costumes, and reminisce about traditional weddings marked by horseback marriage processions. Dr. Jamphel Sheyan, Assistant Professor of English at GMDC, skillfully interprets the conversation, bridging Zangskari and English. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

This is an elicitation of evidentiality in Zangskari verbal constructions, including tense and aspect. Recorded in Youlang village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

Stanzin Choszin and her parents discuss the transformation Zangskar has witnessed in recent decades with Tshering Namgyal. Stanzin Choszin is a student at the Government Model Degree College (GMDC), Zangskar. Tshering Namgyal is a GMDC BA student. They discuss shifts in language, changing tastes in food and liquor, evolving work cultures, and matrimonial traditions. this discussion captures the essence of a rapidly transforming Zangskari society. Recorded at Choszin's residence in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

In this recording, Kunzang Chhuskit, an elder from Sani village, discusses the changes in Zangskar's agricultural practices. Prompted by questions from Dr. Jamphel Sheyan and students of GMDC, Zangskar, Chhuskit contrasts the recent adoption of machine harvesting and flour grinding with the traditional practices of hand-harvesting and water-mill grinding. Additionally, she recounts a tale about a prince named Kargyen Chocho. Concluding her discourse, she touches upon transformations in the dowry system and the broader changes Zangskar has undergone in its journey towards development. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

This is a discussion with Norbu Tashi, an elder from the Sani village, about the shifts in language, culture, and lifestyle that Zangskar has witnessed over the recent years. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

This is a discussion with Tshering Tashi, a Lama (monk) at the Bardan Monastery, who hails from the Sani village. Lama Tashi delves into the shifts that have taken place in Zangskar in terms of language, culture, lifestyle, and the environment over recent years. He explains how these alterations have affected the local Zangskari populace. In addition, Lama Tashi addresses questions from the students of GMDC, Zangskar, about the observed transformations within Zangskar's monasteries. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

The transcription and free translations in English, Urdu, and Hindi of a performance of a drama by the title – Gharphū̃kan patōh 'Spendthrift daughter-in-law' (in English). The drama depicts a typical rural life of the North Indian plains where a woman and her family are very frustrated by the misdeeds of the daughter-in-law because she is a spendthrift.

This is a short video recording of a conversation at Aquil Ahmad's paddy field back in 2016, where the researcher, along with the farm laborers, is transplanting rice saplings. Aquil Ahmad records the activity, and in the meanwhile, one of the workers notices him and tells him to look at what his grandson is doing. Aquil replied to let him do and learn! Then he asks her whether those yellow turned saplings would also take roots.

This is a recording of a conversation while cleaning fishes. There was some conversation between women who were cleaning fishes. In order to get natural data, Maaz goes near to them, sits, and starts recording without alerting them. Suddenly as few seconds pass, one of them alerts, and everyone takes a surprise! But a few moments later, they become comfortable with it. They then start imitating and mocking the far northern variety of Azamgarhi spoken in Dewārā, the flood plain area of the Ghaghra river in the northern part of Azamgarh.

This is a discussion on the popular irrigation systems used in Azamgarh and nearby areas of Purvanchal, Uttar Pradesh state, before the invention of tube wells. This discussion briefly also extends to farming systems and agricultural tools. This discussion was primarily between the researcher and two residents of southern Azamgarh who were distant relatives to the researcher. It took place almost entirely in Urdu, whereas some background noises can be frequently heard in Azamgarhi.

This is a performance of a traditional song by the title ‘Dulahē tērī ãkhiā̃’ (Eng. O bridegroom, your eyes) sung on the occasion of marriage. It praises the beauty of the bridegroom and his costume. Such songs are of great significance to the community; however, until recently, their popularity and importance have started dwindling because of the penetration of urban culture into rural society.

This is a performance of a traditional song by the title ‘Dulahē kī ammā’ (Eng. O the mother of the bridegroom). In this song, the bridegroom’s mother is asked to bless her son on this auspicious marriage occasion. Such folksongs are of great significance to the community; however, until recently, their popularity and importance have started dwindling because of the penetration of urban culture into rural society. This folksong is in the Eastern dialect of Urdu.

This is a story of a teacher who once — while teaching his students — says, “I have made you human from donkey by beating, but you don’t understand.” A washerman who had no children passes by and hears this. He then approaches the teacher and pleads with him to turn a donkey into a son for his sake. The teacher agrees to this and asked him to return after six months. The washerman returns after six months and asks for his son. The teacher replies that he taught and trained him so much that he became a judge at the Allahabad High Court. The washerman then visits the court, and the story continues.

This is a personal narrative of the life of the speaker Mohammad Khalid. The narrative is in the Northern (Mandē) dialect of Azamgarhi with some code-switching to Urdu.

This is a conversation between four-five people. Maaz — accompanied by his father — visits his (late) paternal grandmother’s ancestral home in Mande village. His father and his grandmother’s sister-in-law have a conversation which was joined by her relatives too. Maaz finds the conversation quite interesting and decides to record it. It ranges from a discussion on the modern age and its issues on family members, religion, current issues, politics, etc.

This is a recording of Mr. Anwar reciting a joke on the wit of an Indian involved in an argument with an American and a Russian.