Peshawar Travel Guide

Peshawar is the cultural centre of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; its culture has evolved over the years and has been principally influenced by Ghandhara culture, Pakhtun culture and Hindko culture. The province in which Peshawar is located has a population that is predominantly Pakhtun. However, Peshawar itself, up until the 1980s, consisted of a predominantly Hindko-speaking population — Hindko-speaking people are ancient inhabitants of the land. Both the Pakhtun and Hindko cultures share commonalities, with the geographical origins of each forming the basis for distinction — the Hindko-speaking people are mostly urbanites, ... More whereas the majority of Pakhtuns came from rural backgrounds, and differences can therefore be found in customs such as marriage ceremonies and style of living.[36] With the Soviet war in Afghanistan in the 1980s and the influx of Afghan refugees into Pakistan, Peshawar became home for many Afghan musicians and artists.[37] The city has also become the centre for Pashto music and cinema, as well as Dari music for the Tajiks, and a thriving Persian language book-publishing sector is now established in Peshawar; Islamic Shia literature is the primary output of the Peshawar publishing industry and it is located in the Qissa Khawani Bazaar. Following the election of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) Islamic coalition in 2002, restrictions on public musical performances was introduced, as well as a ban prohibiting the playing of recorded music on public transport; however, a thriving underground scene has developed in Peshawar.[38] In 2008, the secular political party, the Awami National Party (ANP), swept elections and won power from the Islamic coalition. Since the ANP assumed power in Peshawar, a greater focus has shifted towards the areas of culture and the arts, but the party has been hindered by a well-established conservatism among the population and the Taliban militancy. In June 2012, a Pashto singer, Ghazala Javed, and her father were killed in the city, with the subsequent investigation revealing that the pair were murdered. Javed's career was very successful and her death occurred close to three years after the death of another promising Pashto musical artist, Aiyman Udas, who was also murdered in a fringe area of the city. Such incidents have been associated with Peshawar's conservative culture and the influence of the Taliban, the latter being the reason for Javed's relocation to Peshawar, as the Taliban had strengthened its presence in the Peshawar Valley in 2007.[39] Historically, the old city of Peshawar was a heavily guarded citadel that consisted of high walls. In the 21st century, only remnants of the walls remain, but the houses and havelis continue to structures of significance. Most of the houses are constructed of unbaked bricks, with the incorporation of wooden structures for protection against earthquakes, with many composed of wooden doors and latticed wooden balconies. Numerous examples of the city's old architecture can still be seen in areas such as Sethi Mohallah. In the old city, located in inner-Peshawar, many historic monuments and bazaars exist in the 21st century, including the Mohabbat Khan Mosque, Kotla Mohsin Khan, Chowk Yadgar and the Qissa Khawani Bazaar. Due to the damage caused by rapid growth and development, the old walled city has been identified as an area that urgently requires restoration and protection. Author, Dr Raj Wali Shah Khattak, a former director of the Pushto Academy and a senior academic at the University of Peshawar, has written in his book, An Intangible Heritage: The Walled City of Peshawar: To protect the inheritance of the walled city of Peshawar, the establishment of a heritage centre should be a priority. The centre should have audio and visual documentation equipment so that every aspect of culture and life, be it folklore, music, types of instruments, stories, etc., can be recorded. Moreover, visual documentation of customs and traditions should include marriage functions, clothing, lifestyle, manners and habits. Research into the oral nature of life in the bazars and streets, both during the day and at night, should be carried out to preserve this historical record. Fairs, festivals and traditions, both secular and religious, should be included in this record.[40] The walled city was surrounded by several main gates that served as the main entry points into the city — in January 2012, an announcement was made that the government plans to address the damage that has left the gates largely non-existent over time, with all of the gates targeted for restoration.[25] The numerous gates include: Lahori Gate, Sarasia Gate, Ganj Gate, Sirki Gate, Sard Chah Gate and Kohati Gate. Former gates that were demolished were Kabuli Gate, Berikian Gate, Bajori Gate, Yakatut Gate, Dabgari Gate, Kachahri Gate and Hasht Nagri Gate.

Peshawar is the capital of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the administrative centre (but not the capital) for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan In ancient times Peshawar was known as Purushapura and it was established by the Central Asian Kushans. During the Mughal era the modern city of Peshawar was established by Akbar in the 16th century. The city was actually one of the primary trading centers on the ancient Silk Route. Peshawar was an intersection for the various cultures between the South, Central Asia and the Middle East. Peshawar being located right at the edge of the Khyber ... More Pass close to the Afghan border, Peshawar is now the political, commercial, economic, and cultural capital of the Pashtuns.Islamia College is an educational institution located in the city of Peshawar of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province (previously North-West Frontier Province (NWFP)), Pakistan. It was founded in October 1913 by Nawab Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum and Sir George Roos-Keppel and is considered one of the most prestigious academic institutions of Pakistan Peshawar Museum was built in 1906-07 in the memory of Queen Victoria. Of the Rs. 60,000 cost, Rs. 45,000 was donated by the public of the NWFP while Rs. 15,000 was contributed by the Director General of Archaeology, India. The first object (Punched Mark Coins) was registered on November 2, 1906. After completion of the building, the museum was organized in November 1907 to house the Gandharan sculptures excavated from the major Gandharan sites of Shah-ji-ki-Dheri Peshawar, Sahri Bahlol, and Takht-i-Bahi in the Mardan District. Later, antiquity from Jamal Garhi and other Gandharan sites excavated by the British scholars was also added to the collection. The Khyber Pass is a 53-kilometer (33-miles) passage through the Hindu Kush mountain range. It connects the northern frontier of Pakistan with Afghanistan. At its narrowest point, the pass is only 3 meters wide. The history of the Khyber Pass as a strategic gateway dates from 326 B.C., when Alexander the Great and his army marched through the Khyber to reach the plains of India. From there, he sailed down Indus River and led his army across the desert of Gedrosia. In the A.D. 900s, Persian, Mongol, and Tartar armies forced their way through the Khyber, bringing Islam to India. Centuries later, India became part of the British Empire, and British troops defended the Khyber Pass from the British Indian side. During the Afghan Wars the pass was the scene of numerous skirmishes between Anglo-Indian soldiers and native Afghans. Particularly well known is the battle of January 1842, in which about 16,000 British and Indian troops were killed. The British constructed a road through the pass in 1879 and converted it into a highway during the 1920s. A railroad was also built here in the 1920s The Khyber train safari is a railway route in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. The colonial era railway route has been described as "a journey into time and history". It consists of a train pulled by two vintage steam locomotives built in 1920s that takes passengers through breathtaking and rugged mountainous terrain. The train covers a total of 42 kilometers through 34 tunnels and 92 bridges and culverts. The local tribesmen are allowed a free ride on the train as per the agreement reached between them and the British back in the colonial era and which is still honored by the Pakistan government.Bala Hisar is one of the most historic places of Peshawar. The words are of Persian origin meaning, "elevated or high fort". According to Dr. Hussain Khan, the name was given by the Afghan King Taimur Shah Durrani (1773-1793). The Sikhs named it Samir Garh in 1834 but the name did not become popular. The fort stands on a high mound in the northwestern corner of Peshawar City

Peshawar ia nice place to visit. So many bazars are famous due to particular items e.g Jehangeerpura for the nice lather shoes, The oldest one the story teller Qessa Khawani for the tredissonal Peshawari Qehwa. The well clean and greenish saddar bazzar, the cantonment area having green trees over 100 years of age Peshawar university Bala Hisar port Mohaabat Khan mosque the unique building of Islamia College and the remaining of old city boundry wall with nice gates like gang gate asia gate Kohati gate Hashtnagri gate. I live in Peshawar but more than this Peshawar lives in my heart!

Peshawar is the most wonderful place to live. Its not only a city to live but also a place to be loved. Besides all the security issues present in our Peshawar, it is still the wonderful place to be lived. A multicultural city with lots of history to be praised. Peshawar just needs a little care, it can again become a city of roses. It has the potential to rise again as a gateway to the central Asian markets. One can only feel its emptiness in heart, when he/she is away from Peshawar... May ALLAH bless our city Peshawar.. Long Live Peshawar

As Peshawar is located in the Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa province, so, many people would think that this area would be dangerous (because of talibans) - but it is not. It is one of the famous places of the continent where great history is written. It has many beautiful and old locations of different civilizations which dates back some 3000 to 5000 years. This place produced many great people. It has one of the best institutions from where many great scholars graduated. And the people are the most generous, cooperative and hospitable.

Peshawar is a beautiful place with a rich history and loving people. There are modern buildings as well as some historical places as Qila Balaye Aisar. But the place you do not want to miss is Qisa khuwani Bazaar. A food lover will appreciate the delicious edibles Peshawar's Namak Mandi has to offer. Peshawar is a place you do not want to miss. there are no safety issues as i live in Peshawar and you will find you're visit here quite enjoyable!

Peshawar is the city of Pakhtoons, there people is very loving and caring. There is called the land of five rivers. People working very hard, and Peshawar is deep clean city. There are many historical places, like Masjid Muhabat Khan, Qissa Khawani Banzar, Chowk Yadgar, Ghanta Ghar, Qilla Balahisar and also more place. Peshawar is a very attractive and beautiful city. I like it very much.

Peshawar is a beautiful city. The city of grate people. You can see historical places in this city. A beautiful qisa khani bazar a dashing cantt area nice to see bazar like mina bazar kochi bazar khaber bazar. They have beautiful villages around the city. With theair own culture. The city of pattans peshawaries which are very nice people. And at last i loved my city.

This is the time to review the total condition of Peshawar. Now, through any angle it doesn't seems a historic, cultural, or advanced city. Nobody can expect it was the gate way to Central Asia. It's perhaps passing through the worse of its decline. The city of flowers has become now the city of dirt. I am sad...

This is the time to review the total condition of Peshawar. Now, through any angle it doesn't seems a historic, cultural, or advanced city. Nobody can expect it was the gate way to Central Asia. It's perhaps passing through the worse of its decline. The city of flowers has become now the city of dirt. I am sad...