Original version

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

Witness History

Podcasts

Factual: Life Stories

Factual: History

History as told by the people who were there

History as told by the people who were there.

The first Indian woman to conquer Everest

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Witness History: The first Indian woman to conquer Everest

Documentaries

02/06/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, The first Indian woman to conquer Everest

In May 1984, Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman to stand on top of the world

In 1984, Bachendri Pal made history by becoming the first Indian woman to stand on top of the world. Her success was celebrated across India and changed her life forever.

As a child, Bachendri Pal never dreamt of conquering mountains but a chance meeting with a climber changed all that.

She applied for a mountaineering course and was chosen to be part of India’s first mixed-gender team to climb Mount Everest. 

On the journey, she faced icy winds, freezing temperatures and an avalanche that destroyed the camp.

But finally, on 23 May 1984, Bachendri became the first Indian woman to reach the summit of Everest. It was an achievement that changed her life, as she told Jane Wilkinson.

(Photo: Bachendri Pal, pictured on right, on Everest 1984. Credit: Sonam Paljor)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Witness History

The first Indian woman to conquer Everest

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

About BBC World Service