PESHAWAR -UNS: Peshawar is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Located in northwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border, it is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and lies approximately 180 kilometres from Islamabad. Covering an area of around 1,250 square kilometres, the city has a population of more than five million, according to the 2023 census.
The city is bordered by Nowshera District to the east, Khyber District to the west, Charsadda District to the northeast, Mohmand District to the northwest, and the Darra Adam Khel and Kohat areas to the south. The Kabul River flows north of the city and has historically been an important source of water for the region.
A City Shaped by Ancient Civilizations
Peshawar’s history stretches back thousands of years. The earliest settlement in the region is associated with the Aryan period. Aryan groups migrating from Central Asia entered the plains after crossing the surrounding mountain ranges, making the area an important passage between Central and South Asia.
The city’s ancient name is believed to have been derived from Sanskrit names such as Purushapura or Pushpapura, which eventually evolved into Peshawar. The linguistic and cultural influences of this period were later reflected in the Gandhara civilization.
Following the Aryan period, the region came under Persian influence. In 327 BC, Alexander the Great entered the area during his campaign in the region and defeated Persian forces. The interaction between Greek and local cultures subsequently contributed to the development of the Indo-Greek cultural tradition.
The Gandhara Era
Peshawar gained international prominence during the Buddhist period, when the region became part of the Mauryan Empire and Buddhism began to spread.
The city reached one of its historic peaks under the Kushan ruler Kanishka, who made Peshawar an important capital of his empire. Kanishka is remembered for his patronage of Buddhism and for supporting monasteries and the construction of stupas. Archaeological remains and artifacts associated with the Gandhara civilization can still be seen in and around Peshawar, including collections preserved at the Peshawar Museum.
Hindu Shahi, Ghaznavid and Ghurid Periods
After the decline of Gandhara, Peshawar came under the influence of the Hindu Shahi rulers during the ninth and tenth centuries. The Hindu Shahis controlled territories extending towards Kabul and regarded Peshawar as a strategically important frontier settlement.
The city subsequently came under the control of the Ghaznavids. In 1001, Mahmud of Ghazni defeated Raja Jayapala near Peshawar, marking a major turning point in the region’s history. Following the decline of the Ghaznavids, Peshawar became part of the Ghurid territories.
The Mughal Period
Peshawar became strategically important again during the Mughal era. After establishing his power in Kabul, Babur turned his attention towards Peshawar as a gateway to the Indian subcontinent.
The Mughals invested in the city’s fortifications and development. Babur is associated with the construction of Bala Hisar Fort, which was later rebuilt by his son Humayun. During the Mughal period, Peshawar also developed a reputation as a city of gardens and flowers.
Historic sites including the Mahabat Khan Mosque, Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Shahi Bagh and Gor Khatri reflect the city’s rich architectural heritage, although several of these sites were built or developed over different historical periods.
The Durrani Era
In 1747, Ahmad Shah Durrani established the Durrani Empire and brought Peshawar under his rule. His son, Timur Shah, later made Peshawar his winter capital, further increasing the city’s political importance.
Several historic sites and gardens in Peshawar are associated with the Durrani period.
Sikh Rule
Peshawar entered another turbulent chapter in the early nineteenth century. Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s forces defeated the Durrani rulers and gradually incorporated Peshawar into the Sikh Empire.
In 1837, Afghan forces fought Sikh troops at Jamrud in a major battle in which the prominent Sikh general Hari Singh Nalwa was killed. However, the Afghans were unable to retake Peshawar.
The Sikh administration also strengthened the city’s defenses, including fortifications at Jamrud and Shabqadar. Elements of Peshawar’s historic walls and gates are associated with the city’s later development during the Sikh and British periods.
British Rule
Following the British annexation of Punjab in 1849, Peshawar came under British rule. The British transformed the city into an important military and strategic centre because of its proximity to Afghanistan.
Railways, communications and other infrastructure were developed, while the cantonment became a major military installation.
One of the darkest episodes of the colonial period occurred in 1930, when British forces opened fire on demonstrators in Qissa Khwani Bazaar during a peaceful protest. The incident became a significant event in the history of the independence movement in the region.
The British period also witnessed the construction and development of several prominent institutions and landmarks, including Lady Reading Hospital, Islamia College Peshawar, Edwardes College, Peshawar Cantonment, Governor House and Peshawar Museum.
Peshawar After Independence
After Pakistan’s independence in 1947, Peshawar became the capital of the then North-West Frontier Province, now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah visited the city in 1948.
Peshawar subsequently remained an important centre of political activity and trade. Following the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan in 1979, large numbers of Afghan refugees arrived in the city and surrounding areas. Many established businesses and became part of the city’s increasingly diverse social and economic landscape.
During the Afghan war, Peshawar also became an important centre for international and regional political and intelligence activity because of its proximity to Afghanistan.
The security situation deteriorated significantly after the US-led intervention in Afghanistan in 2001. Peshawar and other parts of the region experienced terrorism, suicide attacks and other forms of violence, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians. The violence also affected political activity, business and tourism.
A City That Survived Repeated Upheavals
Over thousands of years, Peshawar has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, wars, migrations and cultural transformations. Despite repeated periods of destruction and upheaval, the city repeatedly rebuilt itself.
Its historical significance lies not only in its age but also in its position at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. Aryan, Persian, Greek, Buddhist, Central Asian, Islamic, Afghan, Sikh and British influences have all contributed to the city’s distinctive cultural heritage.
Markets, Food and Recreation
Peshawar remains an important commercial centre. Namak Mandi, Peepal Mandi, Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Khyber Bazaar, Shoba Bazaar and Karkhano Market are among the city’s best-known commercial areas.
Popular recreational destinations include Shahi Bagh, Jinnah Park, Bagh-e-Naran, Sardaryab and Army Stadium.
Peshawari cuisine is equally famous. Kabuli pulao, degi chicken, chapli kebab, Peshawari ice cream and the mutton dishes of Namak Mandi are among the city’s best-known culinary traditions.
Famous Personalities
Peshawar and its surrounding region have produced or been associated with numerous prominent figures in politics, literature, sports and cinema. They include political leader Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar, politician Bashir Ahmad Bilour, Pashto poet Rahman Baba, and celebrated squash players Hashim Khan, Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan.
The city is also associated with Bollywood figures Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Madhubala, while literary figures such as Ghulam Muhammad Qasir and Patras Bukhari and cricketers Umar Gul and Yasir Hameed have also contributed to its cultural and sporting legacy.
Today, Peshawar remains a city where ancient history and modern Pakistan intersect—a strategic frontier city whose identity has been shaped by thousands of years of migration, trade, conflict and cultural exchange.
