Peshawar, Pakistan

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Peshawar, Pakistan

Region: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa


Geographic Coordinates: 34.014400, 71.567500
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 40.0°C (50°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 1970042
Language: Pashto

Peshawar is a city located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is one of the oldest cities in South Asia and has a rich cultural and historical heritage. The city has been ruled by various empires throughout history, Including the Mauryans, Greeks, Mughals, And British. The city’s architecture reflects its diverse history. Peshawar’s old town features narrow alleys lined with traditional mud-brick houses adorned with intricate woodwork and colorful tiles. The Bala Hisar Fort, Built by the Sikhs in 1834, Offers stunning views of the city from its ramparts.

Peshawar is also known for its vibrant bazaars that sell everything from spices to handicrafts to jewelry. The Qissa Khwani Bazaar (Storytellers’ Bazaar) is particularly famous for its bustling atmosphere and historic significance as a site where poets and storytellers once gathered to entertain locals. In recent years, Peshawar has faced significant challenges due to terrorism and political instability. However, Despite these issues, The people of Peshawar have shown remarkable resilience and continue to work towards rebuilding their city. One example of this resilience can be seen in Peshawar’s education sector.

The University of Peshawar was established in 1950 as one of Pakistan’s first universities and continues to be a leading institution for higher education in the country. Another notable feature of Peshawar is its cuisine. Traditional dishes like chapli kebab (a spiced meat patty), Namkeen gosht (salted meat), And karahi chicken are popular among locals as well as visitors. Overall, Despite its challenges over recent years, Peshawar remains an important cultural center with much to offer visitors interested in history or seeking an authentic experience of Pakistani culture.



Important Landmarks

  1. Peshawar Museum
  2. Qissa Khwani Bazaar
  3. Mahabat Khan Mosque
  4. Gor Khatri Archaeological Park
  5. Bala Hisar Fort
  6. Khyber Pass
  7. Sethi Mohallah
  8. Chowk Yadgar
  9. Islamia College University
  10. Shalimar Gardens

Primary Industries

Major Industries and Businesses in Peshawar, Pakistan

  1. Textile production
  2. Agriculture
  3. Pharmaceuticals
  4. Construction
  5. Education
  6. Hospitality (hotels and restaurants)
  7. Manufacturing (soap)
  8. Handicrafts (carpets and handmade jewelry)
  9. Trading (wholesale markets for fruits and vegetables)
  10. Transportation services such as bus and taxi

The city’s fertile land makes it an ideal location for agricultural activities like wheat, maize, sugarcane farming alongside the growth of a thriving pharmaceutical industry. The education sector is also prominent with several universities offering quality education to students from all over Pakistan. Finally, Peshawar has seen an increase in construction activities due to the growing population in recent years.


Noteable History

  1. The city of Peshawar has a rich history dating back to ancient times and has been inhabited by various civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization, the Persian Empire, the Mauryan Empire, and the Kushan Empire.
  2. Peshawar was an important center of Buddhism during the reign of Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. Many Buddhist monasteries and stupas were built in and around Peshawar during this time.
  3. In 711 CE, Arab forces under Muhammad bin Qasim conquered Peshawar and established Muslim rule in the region.
  4. During the Mughal period (16th-18th centuries), Peshawar became an important center for trade and commerce due to its strategic location on the Silk Road.
  5. The city played a significant role in British India as it served as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
  6. Notable people associated with Peshawar include Abdul Ghaffar Khan (also known as Bacha Khan), a political leader who fought for independence from British rule; Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who advocated for girls’ education; Imran Khan, former cricketer turned politician who is currently serving as Pakistan’s Prime Minister; and Qandeel Baloch, a social media celebrity who was murdered in 2016 for her controversial views on women’s rights.
  7. In recent years, Peshawar has been targeted by terrorist attacks carried out by extremist groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). These attacks have resulted in numerous casualties and have had a significant impact on daily life in the city.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Peshawar Museum
  2. Mahabat Khan Mosque
  3. Qissa Khwani Bazaar
  4. Gor Khatri Archaeological Complex
  5. Sethi House Museum
  6. Islamia College University
  7. Khyber Pass
  8. Shahi Bagh Park
  9. Chowk Yadgar Monument
  10. St John’s Church


Sports Teams

  1. Peshawar Zalmi is a professional Twenty20 cricket team that competes in the Pakistan Super League. The team was established in 2015 and has won the PSL championship once, which was in 2017.
  2. Peshawar Panthers is a domestic cricket team that represents the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region and has won numerous domestic tournaments, such as the National T20 Cup and Faysal Bank T20 Cup.
  3. Peshawar FC is a football club that participates in the Pakistan Premier League. The club was founded back in 2016 and has finished as runners-up twice, which were both in 2017 and 2020.
  4. Peshawar Warriors is another domestic cricket team representing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. They have also managed to win several domestic tournaments including Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and Pentangular Cup.
  5. Apart from these teams, other notable sports teams from Peshawar include Peshawar United (football), Peshawar Panthers (field hockey), and Peshawar Zoravar (karate).


Cultural Events

  1. Qissa Khwani Bazaar Festival: The Qissa Khwani Bazaar in Peshawar hosts a cultural festival that features traditional music, dance, food, and handicrafts.
  2. Eid ul Fitr: Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid ul Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan. In Peshawar, people wear new clothes and prepare special dishes for this religious festival.
  3. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cultural Festival: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cultural Festival celebrates the diverse culture of the province through traditional music, dance performances, handicrafts exhibitions and other cultural activities.
  4. Independence Day: Pakistan’s Independence Day is celebrated on August 14th every year to commemorate the country’s independence from British rule in 1947. In Peshawar, people celebrate with patriotic songs and flag-raising ceremonies.
  5. Basant Festival: Once popular in Peshawar as a springtime kite-flying festival but now banned due to safety concerns.
  6. Urs of Baba Sahib Mian Sher Muhammad Kakakhel: An important religious event for Muslims living in Peshawar and surrounding areas commemorating the death anniversary of Baba Sahib Mian Sher Muhammad Kakakhel.
  7. National Horse & Cattle Show: This annual event takes place at Lahore Fort but attracts visitors from all over Pakistan including those from Peshawar who come to enjoy horse races, cattle shows and other agricultural displays.

Cuisine

  • Charsi Tikka: Famous for its delicious barbeque dishes, particularly the tikka.
  • Namak Mandi: Known for its traditional Pashtun cuisine, especially the lamb and chicken karahi.
  • Kabuli Pulao: A rice dish made with lamb or beef and topped with raisins, carrots, and nuts.
  • Chapli Kabab: A spicy minced meat patty served with naan bread.
  • Sufi Restaurant: Offers a variety of Pakistani dishes including biryani, karahi, and kebabs.
  • Khattak Store & Restaurant: Known for its authentic Pashtun food such as chapli kabab and mutton karahi.
  • Qissa Khwani Bazaar Food Street: A bustling street filled with vendors selling traditional street food like samosas, pakoras, and chaat.
  • Jahangir Balti & BBQ Restaurant: Offers a mix of Pakistani and Indian cuisine including biryani, tandoori chicken, and butter chicken.
  • Zamana Restaurant: Popular for its Afghan-style kebabs served on skewers along with naan bread.
  • Shahjehan Kebab House & Pakwan Centre: Famous for its flavorful beef seekh kebab served with paratha bread.

  • Parks and Recreation

    1. Shahi Bagh Park
    2. Wazir Bagh Park
    3. Army Stadium and Sports Complex
    4. Peshawar Golf Course
    5. Hayatabad Sports Complex
    6. Qayyum Stadium
    7. Jinnah Park
    8. Khyber Pass National Park
    9. Fort Bala Hisar Public Park
    10. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department Safari Park

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