Peshawar history

Peshawar is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in South Asia, with a history spanning over two and a half millennia. Situated in a strategically vital valley at the entrance to the Khyber Pass, it has witnessed the rise and fall of great empires for centuries, playing a pivotal role in the region's history.

Foundation and Ancient History

It is believed that the first settlements on the site of modern Peshawar were established by Pashtun tribes as early as the 1st millennium BCE. In ancient times, the city was known by the Sanskrit name Purushapura, meaning "City of Men". Its golden age began in the 2nd century CE when the powerful King Kanishka made it the capital of the vast Kushan Empire, which stretched from Central Asia to Northern India.

Key Factors of Formation

Peshawar owes its growth and prosperity to a unique combination of several factors:

• Strategic Location: The city is located at the eastern entrance to the famous Khyber Pass, which historically served as the main gateway between Central and South Asia. This made it a key point on the route for armies, traders, and pilgrims.
• Trade Hub: Thanks to its position on the Silk Road, Peshawar transformed into a bustling centre of caravan trade, where goods and cultures of the East and West converged.
• Centre of Power: Its status as the capital of the Kushan Empire provided the city with political influence, attracted resources for construction, and fostered its cultural and economic development.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the early period of its history, Peshawar was not merely a trading city but also a distinguished cultural centre:

• Centre of Gandhara Art: The city was the heart of the Gandhara civilization, where a unique fusion of Hellenistic, Indian, and Buddhist artistic traditions occurred, giving rise to the phenomenon of Greco-Buddhism.
• Religious Significance: During the Kushan era, Peshawar became one of the most important centres of Buddhist theology. The legendary Kanishka Stupa was erected here—one of the tallest structures of the ancient world, attracting pilgrims from across Asia.
• Developed Economy: Beyond revenues from transit trade, the city flourished due to developed crafts. Local artisans were renowned for producing fine fabrics, jewellery, and metalwork.

Chronology of Events

The history of this ancient city is rich with changing eras and rulers. Below are the key dates that have shaped the modern face of the region.

• 127 CE — Emperor Kanishka I proclaims Peshawar (under the name Purushapura) the capital of the Kushan Empire, turning it into a centre of Buddhist culture.
• 1001 — Mahmud of Ghazni achieves victory in the Battle of Peshawar, paving the way for the spread of Islam in the region.
• 1526 — Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, uses the city as a strategic foothold for his campaigns into South Asia.
• 1630 — Construction of the majestic Mahabat Khan Mosque is completed, becoming the prime example of Mughal architecture in the city.
• 1747 — The city becomes part of the Durrani Empire under Ahmad Shah Durrani and serves as the winter capital of the Afghan rulers.
• 1818 — The Sikh army under the command of Ranjit Singh captures the city, ending the era of Durrani rule.
• 1834 — Sikh general Hari Singh Nalwa begins a massive reconstruction of the Bala Hissar Fort, giving it its current appearance.
• 1849 — Following the Second Anglo-Sikh War, the city is annexed by the British East India Company and becomes part of British India.
• 1901 — The city receives the status of administrative centre of the newly formed North-West Frontier Province.
• 1913 — Islamia College opens—an outstanding architectural monument and the region's main educational centre.
• 1925 — The legendary Khyber Railway is launched, connecting the city to the border through difficult mountainous terrain.
• 1947 — As a result of a referendum, the city and province join the independent state of Pakistan.
• 1950 — The University of Peshawar is founded, cementing the city's status as the intellectual capital of the province.
• 2010 — The province is officially renamed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the city confirms its capital status within the new administrative structure.
• 2020 — The modern "Zu Peshawar" Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system is inaugurated, modernising urban mobility.

Major Stages of Development

The development of Peshawar over millennia has been defined by its unique role as a trade gateway between Central and South Asia. The city has repeatedly changed its appearance, absorbing traditions of different civilizations and adapting to new economic realities.

• Capital of Gandhara (Kushan Era). The transformation of the settlement of Purushapura into an imperial capital and ancient metropolis.
  Significance: The city became a global centre of Buddhist culture and architecture, laying the foundation for its historical heritage and international importance.
• Hub of the Silk Road. The city's rise as a key logistical hub of ancient trade.
  Significance: The formation of famous bazaars, such as Qissa Khwani, and the development of a network of caravanserais (e.g., Gor Khatri), which defined the commercial specialisation of the city's economy for centuries.
• Mughal Reconstruction (16th–17th Centuries). A period of active urban planning and beautification under the patronage of the Great Mughals.
  Significance: The city earned the nickname "City of Flowers" thanks to the laying out of gardens and parks. The construction of the Mahabat Khan Mosque and the strengthening of the Bala Hissar Fort formed the classic architectural ensemble of the Old City.
• British Urbanisation and Cantonment (Mid-19th Century). The introduction of European planning principles to the west of the old walls.
  Significance: The emergence of a "double city": traditional quarters (Old City) began to coexist with an orderly administrative district (Saddar), which still defines the structure of the metropolis today.
• Railway Revolution (1880s). The laying of the railway and construction of strategic bridges.
  Significance: The integration of the city into the subcontinent's transport network sharply accelerated trade turnover and simplified the export of local goods, strengthening economic ties with other regions.
• Formation of an Educational Cluster (Early 20th Century). The opening of Islamia College (1913) and the subsequent development of the University of Peshawar.
  Significance: Transformation from a purely trading and military outpost into the intellectual capital of the region, attracting youth from across the area.
• Post-Colonial Expansion (After 1947). Massive construction of new districts after joining the independent state of Pakistan.
  Significance: The appearance of modern residential areas, such as Hayatabad, and the development of industrial infrastructure secured the city's status as the administrative and economic centre of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The architectural appearance of Peshawar is a unique multi-layered mosaic, in which every historical era has left its distinct mark. Situated at the crossroads of great empires and cultures, the city has absorbed elements of vastly different styles, from ancient Buddhist traditions to Mughal masterpieces and colonial structures, creating a unique urban landscape.

In ancient times, when the city was known as Purushapura and served as the capital of the Kushan Empire, the Gandhara civilization flourished here. The architecture of this period represented a remarkable synthesis of Indian Buddhist canons and Hellenistic (Greco-Roman) artistic techniques. The crown jewel of this era was the legendary Kanishka Stupa, considered one of the tallest structures of the ancient world and attracting pilgrims from all over Asia. Although the stupa itself has not survived, numerous artefacts displayed in the Peshawar Museum testify to the highest level of architecture and sculpture of that time.

With the arrival of Islam, and especially during the reign of the Great Mughals, Peshawar's architectural look changed radically under the influence of Persian and Central Asian traditions. The pearl of this style is rightfully considered the Mahabat Khan Mosque, built in the 17th century. Its majestic white marble facade, three fluted domes, tall minarets, and interior richly decorated with frescoes are a classic example of Mughal architecture. It was during this era that the Old City was formed with its labyrinth of narrow streets, caravanserais, and the famous Qissa Khwani Bazaar ("Bazaar of Storytellers").

A new era of urban planning began after the city came under British control in the mid-19th century. Europeans introduced their architectural styles and planning principles. To the west of the densely populated Old City, a spacious and orderly military-administrative district was built—the Cantonment. Many public buildings were erected in the so-called Indo-Saracenic style, which harmoniously combined Victorian elements with Indo-Islamic motifs. The brightest examples of this synthesis are the monumental Islamia College building (1913), the Cunningham Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar), and the main building of the Peshawar Museum.

After Pakistan gained independence, Peshawar continued to grow and develop actively. New residential districts, modern commercial buildings, and infrastructure facilities reflecting global architectural trends appeared in the city. At the same time, in recent years, there has been a growing understanding of the value of the rich past, and increasing attention is being paid to preserving the unique historical heritage that makes Peshawar one of the most architecturally diverse and interesting cities in the region.

Notable Figures Associated with Peshawar

Over the centuries, Peshawar has been the birthplace and centre of activity for many outstanding rulers, poets, thinkers, and artists. Here are just a few of them:

• Kanishka I — The powerful emperor of the Kushan Empire (2nd century CE) who made Peshawar (then Purushapura) his capital. His reign became a golden age for Gandhara art and Buddhism in the region.
• Khushal Khan Khattak — The famous 17th-century Pashtun warrior-poet, considered one of the greatest figures in Pashtun literature. He is known for his poems about freedom, honour, and love for his homeland, as well as his struggle against the Mughal Empire.
• Abdul Ghaffar Khan — A prominent Pashtun political and spiritual leader, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, and a proponent of non-violent resistance to British rule. Known as the "Frontier Gandhi", he founded the "Khudai Khidmatgar" ("Servants of God") movement.
• Dilip Kumar — An icon of Indian cinema, born in Peshawar in 1922 under the name Muhammad Yusuf Khan. His acting prowess and contribution to cinema brought him worldwide fame, and his ancestral home in the city has been declared a cultural heritage site.
• Raj Kapoor — The legendary Indian actor, director, and producer, one of the greatest stars of Bollywood. He was born in Peshawar in 1924 in the family mansion "Kapoor Haveli", which is also a historical monument today.
• Shah Rukh Khan — Although the "King of Bollywood" was born in Delhi, his family hails from Peshawar. His father was an independence activist from this city, and the family home is still located in the famous Qissa Khwani area.