peshawar
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Peshawar is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and lies just west of the Bara River, a tributary of the Kabul River, near the Khyber Pass. The Shahji-ki Dheri mounds, situated to the east, cover ruins of the largest Buddhist stupa in the subcontinent (2nd century CE), which attests to the relation of the city with Buddhism.
Once the capital of the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Gandhara, the city was known variously as Parasawara and Purusapura (town, or abode, of Purusa); it was also called Begram. The present name, Peshawar (pesh awar, “frontier town”), is ascribed to Akbar, the Mughal emperor of India (1556–1605). A great historic centre of transit-caravan trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia, Peshawar is connected by highway and rail to Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. Industries include textile and sugar mills, fruit canning, and the manufacture of chappals (sandals), shoes, leather work, glazed pottery, wax and embroidery work, copper utensils, lungis (a type of sarong), turbans, carpets, ornamental woodwork and furniture, ivory work, knives, and small arms. |
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The ancient Qissa (Kissa) Khawani Bazaar (“Street of Storytellers”) is the meeting place for foreign merchants who deal in dried fruits, woolen products, rugs, carpets, pustins (sheepskin coats), karakul (lambskin) caps, and Chitrali cloaks.
Peshawar is home to many historic buildings, such as Bala Hissar - a fort built by the Sikhs on the ruins of the state residence of the Durranis, which was destroyed by them after the battle of Nowshera. GorKhatri is another historic site that was once a Buddhist monastery and later a sacred Hindu temple, which visible from a distance and affords a panoramic view of the entire city. The pure white mosque of Mahabat Khan (1630) is also a remarkable monument of Mughal architecture. Other sites include Victoria memorial hall and Government House. There are many parks, and the Chowk Yadgar and the town hall are other places of social and public assembly.
Peshawar is home to many historic buildings, such as Bala Hissar - a fort built by the Sikhs on the ruins of the state residence of the Durranis, which was destroyed by them after the battle of Nowshera. GorKhatri is another historic site that was once a Buddhist monastery and later a sacred Hindu temple, which visible from a distance and affords a panoramic view of the entire city. The pure white mosque of Mahabat Khan (1630) is also a remarkable monument of Mughal architecture. Other sites include Victoria memorial hall and Government House. There are many parks, and the Chowk Yadgar and the town hall are other places of social and public assembly.
How to Get there
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Fly:
Fly to Bacha Khan International Airport, Peshawar, from any domestic or international location. |
Train:
Take a train to Peshawar Cantonment or City Railway Station from any major Pakistani city. Travel time varies on train's speed and stops. Railway Schedule |
Bus:
Daewoo bus offers service to Peshawar from numerous locations. It takes 2 hours from Islamabad. Schedule: Daewoo website |
Drive:
Take the M-1 (North) highway from Islamabad. |
Khyber Pass is most northerly and important of the passes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The pass connects Kābul with Peshāwar.
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Bala Hissar is a historic fortress, used as a royal residence for the Durrani Empire, and renovated during Sikh rule. It now serves as headquarters for Pakistan's Frontier Corps.
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Mahabat Khan Mosque was built in 1630 by the governor of Peshawar under Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, and renovated in 1898.
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Islamia College was founded in 1913, and is one the oldest institutions of higher education in Pakistan. Its historical roots are traced to the Aligarh Movement.
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Jalil Kabab House
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University Tikka
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Chief Grill
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Haleem Ghar
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The Qissa Khawani Bazaar (or 'Bazaar of The Story-tellers') used to attract flocks of Powendas, or Afghan gypsy merchants, to its tea stalls (Qehwa khanas).
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Khyber Bazar
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