Peshawar is the ‘Gateway to Central Asia’. It was founded over 2000 years by the Kushan Kings of Gandhara and was called ‘Lotus Land’. Thereby from 2nd century AD to 7th century it remained a centre of Gandharan civilisation and a very significant place of pilgrimage.
Then from the 9th century onwards it saw a downfall. When Marco Polo visited the region in 1275 he recorded;
“the people of which have a peculiar language. They worship idols; are of dark complexion, have an evil disposition; and are skilled in the art of magic and the invocation of demons, a study to which continuously apply themselves”
However it regained its former glory with the advent of the Mughals in the 16th century, and it was Akbar who named it Peshawar which means ‘The Place at the Frontier’. It has also remained under the rule of the Sikhs and British during the 19th and 20th century.
Having such a rich historical and cultural background, it is no wonder that Peshawar needs to be promoted once again as tourism has been on the decline for the past decade. Many people yearn to visit the one of the oldest cities of the world. However, many hesitate due to the instability of the region during past decade. On the bright side Peshawar and other areas in the region are attracting tourist.
Chowk Yaadgar (Commemoration Square)
Heading west of the androon shehar (interior city), at the end of ‘Jewellers Street’ you will find yourself in ‘Chowk Yaadgar’. In the chowk is a dome shaped monument which was constructed in memoriam of Colonel C Hastings in 1892. Yet in 1969 this monument was destroyed and a tall concrete arc made of white marble about 100 feet high was erected in memory of the 1965 war heroes. This too was demolished in the 1990s and again a dome shaped structure was built. This square has also been used for political and religious activities on national as well as international level.
Cunnigham’s Clock Tower
To the east of the square one will find Cunnigham’s Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar) which was built in 1900 in honor of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria (Empress of India). It is named after Sir George Cunningham who was the Governor of the North West Frontier Province at that time and also laid its foundation stone. It stands at 85 feet. It has also been renovated under the heritage trail project.
Peshawar Food Street
Peshawar food street is completed to restore the city’s glory. Many other historic places that are renovated are; Bala Hissar Fort, Sethi House, Gorakhnath temple, Panj Tirath.
Leave a Reply