Nowshera, Pakistan
Region: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Geographic Coordinates: 34.015300, 71.974700
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 40.0°C (50°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal variations in Nowshera, Pakistan include hot summers with temperatures reaching up to 40°C, monsoon rains from July to September, and cool winters with temperatures dropping to as low as 2°C.
Population: 118594
Language: Urdu
Nowshera is a city situated in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The city is located on the bank of Kabul River and is approximately 27 kilometers east of Peshawar, Which is the provincial capital. Nowshera has a rich history that dates back to ancient times and has been ruled by various dynasties such as Mauryans, Greeks, Mughals, And Durranis. One of the most significant landmarks in Nowshera is Qila Mubarak Fort which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1583. The fort served as a strategic military base during various battles throughout history.
Today it stands as an impressive testament to Pakistan’s architectural heritage. The city also boasts several other historical sites such as Ashoka Rock Edicts which date back to 3rd century BC and are inscribed with Buddhist teachings. Another notable site is Gurdwara Panja Sahib which holds religious significance for Sikh pilgrims who visit from all over the world. Nowshera’s economy mainly revolves around agriculture with wheat being one of its primary crops. The city has several sugar mills that provide employment opportunities for locals.
Additionally, There are textile industries that have recently sprung up in Nowshera providing more job opportunities for its residents. Education plays an important role in Nowshera with several schools offering quality education to students from all backgrounds. There are also several colleges and universities including Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan Campus located nearby that offer higher education opportunities to students. Nowshera’s population comprises mostly Pashtuns who follow traditional customs and practices but are also embracing modern ways of living.
The city has a vibrant culture with music and dance playing an important role in local festivities such as weddings or religious celebrations like Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha. In recent years, Nowshera has experienced significant development due to increased investment from both public and private sectors. This has led to improved infrastructure, Better healthcare facilities, And increased job opportunities for its residents. The city’s strategic location along the Indus Highway makes it an ideal destination for businesses looking to invest in Pakistan. Overall, Nowshera is a city rich in history and culture with a promising future.
Its people are warm and welcoming making it an ideal destination for tourists looking to explore Pakistan’s cultural heritage.
Important Landmarks
- Akbarpura Tomb
- Ghulam Muhammad Abad Park
- Azakhel Bala Fort
- Kabbal Hill Station
- Qila Balahisar Fort
- Gandhara Art Museum
- Jahangir Khan Squash Complex
- Peshawar Museum
Primary Industries
- Nowshera, a city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, boasts of several major industries and businesses.
- The textile industry with several mills producing cotton yarn, fabrics, and garments.
- Agricultural products such as wheat, sugarcane, tobacco, and vegetables.
- Several pharmaceutical companies operate in Nowshera that produce medicines and other healthcare products.
- A thriving construction industry with many businesses producing bricks, cement, concrete blocks, and tiles.
- Education-wise too Nowshera has much to offer with many schools colleges and universities providing quality education to students from all over Pakistan.
- The retail sector is not left behind either with numerous small retail shops selling various goods including clothing items and electronics appliances.
- Various hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers providing healthcare services to the people of this region making it an all-encompassing destination for anyone looking for opportunities or services.
Noteable History
- Battle of Nowshera (1823): A significant battle took place between the Sikh Empire and the Durrani Empire, which resulted in a victory for the Sikhs.
- Sir Syed Ahmad Khan: An eminent Muslim scholar and educationist who established Aligarh Muslim University. He was born in Delhi but spent his early years in Nowshera.
- Khushal Khan Khattak: A Pashtun poet, warrior, and philosopher who is considered as one of the greatest poets of Pashto language literature. He was born in Akora Khattak, near Nowshera.
- Shahbaz Khan Kamboh: A Mughal nobleman who served as governor of Kabul during Emperor Akbar’s reign. During his tenure, he constructed several forts and other structures in Nowshera.
- Gandhara Civilization: The ancient region of Gandhara included parts of present-day Pakistan, including Nowshera district. It was a crucial center for Buddhist art and culture from the 1st century BCE to the 5th century CE.
- British Raj: During British rule, due to its strategic location on the Grand Trunk Road connecting Peshawar with Rawalpindi, Nowshera became an important military cantonment.
- Abdul Qadeer Khan: Known as the father of Pakistan’s nuclear program, Dr.Abdul Qadeer Khan was born in Bhopal village near Kahuta town that now falls under District Rawalpindi but spent most part his childhood at Nowshehra where his father worked as a teacher at Government High School No 1 Nowshehra Cantt.
- Muhammad Asif Afridi: A Pakistani politician affiliated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), serving as Member Provincial Assembly since August 2018 from PF-17 (Nowshera-III).
- Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed: A Pakistani military officer who was posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan’s highest military award for valor. Although he was born in Hong Kong, his family hails from Nowshera.
- Abdul Wali Khan: A prominent Pashtun nationalist and political leader who founded the Awami National Party (ANP). He spent several years in jail during the British Raj and later became a member of parliament representing Nowshera district.
Museums and Things To See
- Azakhel Archaeological Museum
- Khairabad Museum
- Gandhara Art and Culture Association
- Jahangir Khan Squash Complex
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Heritage Museum
- Akbar’s Fort
- Shahbaz Garhi Rock Edicts
- Qilla Sheikh Ismail Historical Fort
- Takht-i-Bahi Buddhist Monastery and Stupa Complex
- Ali Masjid Mosque and Fortress
Sports Teams
- Unfortunately, I don’t have access to the latest information on sports teams and their histories in Nowshera, Pakistan.
- However, I suggest conducting a local search or contacting a sports organization in Nowshera for more information.
Cultural Events
- Eid-ul-Fitr is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide, including Nowshera. It signifies the end of Ramadan and is a time for feasting and celebration.
- Jashn-e-Baharan is a spring festival that celebrates the arrival of spring in Nowshera. It typically occurs in March or April and includes music, dance, and food.
- Urs Sharif is an annual event held at the shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Badruddin Ganj Shakar in Nowshera to commemorate his death anniversary. The event involves prayers, recitation of Quranic verses, and distribution of sweets.
- Independence Day on August 14th marks Pakistan’s independence from British rule in 1947. In Nowshera, this day is celebrated with parades, flag-raising ceremonies, fireworks displays, and cultural events.
- Basant Festival or kite-flying festival is celebrated every year in February or March to welcome the spring season with colorful kites flying high in the sky.
- Shandur Polo Festival takes place annually on Shandur Pass (between Chitral District & Gilgit-Baltistan) near Nowshera during July-August where teams from Chitral & Gilgit-Baltistan compete against each other to win trophy while tourists enjoy local culture & scenic beauty around them.
- Ramadan Night Markets are set up during Ramadan month where people can buy food items after breaking their fasts at sunset till late night hours which becomes popular spot for locals to hangout & enjoy festive atmosphere together.
Cuisine
- Chapli Kabab: A spicy beef or mutton patty served with naan bread.
- Karahi: A spicy chicken or mutton curry cooked in a wok-like pan called karahi.
- Tandoori Chicken: Chicken marinated in spices and cooked in a clay oven.
- Namak Mandi: A famous street food market known for its meat dishes like kebabs, tikkas, and pulao.
- Biryani House: A restaurant that specializes in biryani, a rice dish cooked with meat or vegetables and aromatic spices.
- Khan Baba Restaurant: Known for its traditional Pakistani dishes like haleem, nihari, and qorma.
- Al-Rehmat Bakery & Sweets: Famous for its sweets like gulab jamun and ras malai as well as baked goods like cakes and pastries.
- Karachi Biryani House & Fast Food Centre: Another popular restaurant serving biryani along with other fast food items like burgers and fries.
- Peshawari Charsi Tikka Shop: Known for its delicious tikka (grilled meat) served with naan breads.
- Afghan Restaurant & Fast Food Centre: Offers traditional Afghani dishes like kabuli pulao (rice pilaf), mantu (dumplings), and kebabs along with fast food items like pizza and burgers.
Parks and Recreation
- Khattak Park
- Eidgah Park
- Nowshera Cantonment Park
- Shahi Bagh Park
- Jinnah Garden
- Qila Sheikh Ismail Public Library and Garden
- Ghazi Stadium
- Tarnab Farm House and Resort
- Chinar Cricket Grounds