Mountain range that divides the Indus and Amu Darya river valleys and extends for about 500 miles from northern Pakistan into Afghanistan (also impinging on Tajikistan). The Hindu Kush forms part of the western arm of the Himalayan system of mountains that encircles the Indian subcontinent.
The Hindu Kush forms a formidable barrier with several peaks above 7000 meters in height. The highest is Tirich Mir standing at 7690 meters. Many of the peaks are snow-capped the whole year round. Little vegetation clings to the precipitous slopes. The forests have dwindled due to over-zealous felling. Earthquakes commonly occur in the area.
The most well-travelled and strategically important route through the mountains is the Khyber Pass. Alexander the Great, Timur and Babur, intent on conquering the Punjab, used the Khyber Pass to get through the Hindu Kush.
Indeed, it is thought by some that the phrase 'Hindu Kush' means 'Hindu Killing' as it may be derived from the Persian word 'Kush' (to slaughter). More prosaicly, 'Kush' may be a corruption of the Hindu word 'Koh', meaning 'mountain'.