THE GATEWAY TO CENTRAL ASIA

Peshawar is a city of many splendours. It is the city of the brave. It is embedded in history,having been in existence as far back as 4000 years BC. Over the centuries, the inhabitants of Peshawar have witnessed the march of many conquerors, some ruthless, some brave and magnanimous. It is a city of legends and of folklore.

Proud, rugged and fierce as they may appear, Pathans inhabiting this age-old city are a very hospitable people. Peshawar also retains much of its traditions, old grandeur and character, having been in the path of all major invasions of the Sub-continent.

As the invading armies rolled down the historic Khyber Pass, Peshawar saw the march of Alexander's warriors as well as those of the Huns, the Mughals and so on.

Later in history, Peshawar also witnessed the march in reverse direction as the British who held sway over other parts of the Sub-continent, tried to establish a foothold around the valley and beyond to maintain accessibility to the north through the Khyber Pass. Although the Pathans took over the area in and around Peshawar at the end of the seventh century, the Muslims first conquered the area including Peshawar in the tenth century AD. It was not until the beginning of the sixteenth century AD that the Mughals achieved a firm foothold in Peshawar and beyond into the Sub-continent with Emperor Babar laying the foundation of the famous Mughal dynasty which continued to rule the Sub-continent with grace and grandeur for more than three centuries.

Although conquered by the Greeks and ruled in turn by Buddhists, Sikhs and the Mughals and despite being annexed by the British until independence in 1947, Peshawar is a city of devout Muslims. The successive invasions have helped to enrich the cultural mosaic of the city. It is, therefore, not uncommon even today to find an old village bearing a Greek name. The people are handsome with sharp features closely resembling those of the Greeks.

PLACES OF INTEREST

QISSA KHAWANI BAZAAR

Side by side with wide boulevards and modern avenues, Peshawar retains the narrow lanes and streets as well as the typical crowded oriental bazaars, overflowing with goods and people.

Among the most famous of the Peshawar bazaars is the Qissa Khawani Bazaar, immortalised by the British poet and writer Rudyard Kipling as the street of the story-tellers. The Peshawar bazaars flourished as the city has traditionally been a wholesale market for goods transported across the Khyber Pass to and from Afghanistan and the Sub-continent. Infact it has also been a resting post for merchants carrying their wares beyond Afghanistan into Central Asia.

For any visitor to Peshawar, Qissa Khawani is an unavoidable haunt. It retains all the romanticism and chivalry that has been the hallmark of the area. Tribesmen and traders gather here to exchange news and anecdotes and to haggle and bargain. As the fierce but friendly, warm and hospitable Pathans chatter and gossip between cups of sweet tea, brightly painted and gaily decorated trucks vans and cars pass by, with all horns blaring. The bazaar also has all other trappings of the oriental market place with street vendors dispensing health pills, fore-telling fortunes and the snake charmers alluring people towards their baskets-full of snakes, minus the venom of course.

Bala Hisar Fort

For the visitors, Peshawar offers more than the charm of its bazaars and its people.There is the Bala Hisar Fort built by the Mughal Emperor Babar in the early sixteenth century.

Masjid Mahabat Khan

The mosque built in 1630 AD by Mahabat Khan, the Mughals’ governer of Peshawar is a marvelous piece of architecture, though lost its original glory, long ago. This was yet another feather in the cap of Engineer Emperor, Shahjehan (1628-1658-AD). It is still one of the impressive religious buildings, situated in the Andar Shahar Bazaar.

The Peshawar Museum

To see the most invaluable collection from various archaeological sites, one must visit the Peshawar Museum. You can see relics of different civilisations, especially Gandhara period (300 BC-300AD) on display in scientifically arranged galleries. The treasure trove tells you the untold history of the region.

Islamia College, Peshawar University

Islamia College is a historical place.Founded by Sahibzada Abdul Qaiyum, an educationist of British period, the College later served as awareness creator among the populace, willing to fight for the cause of freedom. Some of the most renowned personalities were students of this prestigious institute, which later became a part ofPeshawar University.

EXCURSIONS FROM THE CITY

KHYBER PASS

The road west of Peshawar leads up to the historic and immortal Khyber. The drive through the Khyber Pass, the scene of innumerable battles and insurgencies, brings you face to face with the indomitable Afridi Pathans who could never be effectively subjugated by the British with all their might and strength. They are a people who would never bow their heads in subjugation but act with spontaneous friendliness and hospitality when they so wish.

The Khyber Pass bears many mementos of the numerous invasions dating back to many centuries. The most visible, however, are those of the British presence in the area during the later half of the last century and the first half of the present. At a number of points along the Pass, you will see insignias of various British regiments carved into the rocks.

Jamrud Fort

Situated near the Baab-e-Kyber or Khyber Gate, this is an old fortress, built by famous Sikh General Hari Singh Nalwa, who lost his life fighing against the forces of Amir of Kabul in 1837.

Landikotal

Is the last railway station of Pakistan, lying en-route the Pak-Afghan Border. An old bazaar offers little attraction to the tourists with the sale of arms and imported goods.

Warsak Dam

One of the gigantic tasks that the Pakistani engineers ever performed in country’s history is multi-purpose Warsak Dam. Situated 30 km north-west of Peshawar, the Dam has a total capacity of 240,000 kW and can serve to irrigate 110,000 acres of land.

Kohat Pass

The Kohat Pass is situated about 40 km south of Peshawar, in the tribal territory. The tribes got fame through manufacturing best quality of weapons. They are very intelligent in copying and making exact replicas of genuine fire-arms.

Takht Bhai

Dates back from 2nd to 3rd century AD the site presents the highly developed structure of a Buddhist monastery in the form of remains only. It is located atop a 160- metre high hill, some 80 km from Peshawar.

SHOPPING

The bazaars of Peshawar are buyer’s delight. Craftsmanship is of an exceptionally high standard with brass and copper-work, intricately carved woodwork and handsome designed Peshawarisandals being the principal attraction.

ACCESSIBILITY

The capital of NWFP is well connected by rail, road and air with other parts of the country. The Pak-Afghan Border at Torkham is a place of recalling the rich history when warriors would enter into the lands of frontier province to proceed for conquering India.