Thiksey's history is inextricably linked to the spread of Tibetan Buddhism across the Himalayas and the rise of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) sect in Ladakh. In the early 15th century, Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school, sent emissaries to Ladakh. One of these, Sherab Zangpo, first built a small monastery in the nearby village of Stakmo. Later, his nephew, Paldan Zangpo, founded the current Thiksey Monastery in 1430 AD on a sacred hill overlooking the Indus Valley.
Over the centuries, Thiksey grew into a major religious and cultural hub, accumulating vast collections of Buddhist art, stupas, thangkas, and swords. The monastery and the village weathered the complex geopolitics of the region, including the Dogra invasions of the 19th century under General Zorawar Singh, during which the monastery suffered damage but ultimately survived.
Following India's independence in 1947, Thiksey became part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and subsequently the Union Territory of Ladakh in 2019. In modern history, a major milestone occurred in 1970 when the 14th Dalai Lama visited to consecrate the stunning 15-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha statue, which has since become a global icon of the village. Today, Thiksey stands as a vibrant center of cultural preservation, balancing its ancient monastic traditions with modern economic development driven by global tourism.