Peshawar is the capital and the largest city of the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is also the sixth largest city in the entire country. It is mainly populated by Pashtuns, the second largest ethnic group in Pakistan. This city has a unique and fascinating history and culture.
Quaid-e-Azam’s Mausoleum
During the 1950s, Pakistan’s independence movement spurred numerous ideas for a new Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum. These ranged from a shrine to a neo-Mughal monument. These ideas reflected the radical utopianism that swept the Muslims of the subcontinent during the Pakistan Movement. An Indian architect was eventually selected to design the mausoleum.
The mausoleum is an architectural icon, housing the remains of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Known as the Quaid-e-Azam (“Great Leader”), Jinnah had led the All-India Muslim League, which sought a separate Muslim state after World War I. The Muslim League eventually won a vote to create a new country.
Today, the mausoleum is visited by dignitaries from other nations during official tours. The mausoleum also houses a museum of the Quaid’s belongings. There are three rows of graves in the complex, with one grave on each side.
The mausoleum is located within a 53-hectare park. The monument is on a raised platform and is surrounded by fifteen fountains. Terraced avenues lead to the mausoleum’s gates. At night, visitors can enjoy a beautiful light show from the beamed spotlights.
Bala Hisar Fort
The Frontier Corps, which maintains the Bala Hisar Fort, has agreed in principle to move its headquarters from the historic fort to a more accessible location. It will then be managed by the provincial government, which hopes to generate revenue from the fort’s use. Previously, the Fort was intended to be used as a tourist destination.
While the fort has lost much of its former glory, it still contains a few rooms and a few corridors. It also keeps a watch over the Grand Trunk Road. The fort was heavily damaged in the earthquake of 1834, but was rebuilt by Sardar Khurruck Singh and Hari Singh Nalwa. The original fort is said to be at least two thousand years old, although it was only rebuilt in a few areas.
Although there is no known exact date for the construction of the Bala Hissar Fort, it was initially assumed to be Mughal in origin. It was also known as Bagram in accounts written by the Mughal Emperor Babur. These accounts were dated as early as 1523 CE. In the 1830s, the Sikhs reconstructed the fort under the supervision of French engineers.
Peshawar’s Bala Hissar fort is one of the city’s most historic places. The name, derived from the Persian language, means “high fort.” During the reign of the Afghan Pashtun King Timur Shah Durrani (1773-1793), the fort was used as a winter capital of the Durrani Empire. The Sikh Empire later took control of Peshawar, but it wasn’t until the late 19th century that it became known as Samir Garh.
Islamia College
The Islama College Peshawar is a public university in Peshawar, Pakistan. It is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the country. The college has a long history of academic excellence.
The college was founded by Sahibzada Abdul Qayum Khan, a well-known Islamic scholar. The college is a symbol of excellence both in terms of academics and physical beauty. However, some parts of the building have suffered from deterioration and require immediate maintenance. A visit to the college will enable you to gain valuable knowledge about its architecture, its history, and its significance in the city.
The building of the college was started in 1911. It was initially a high school and an arts college. It also contained three hostels. On October 1, 1913, it opened for admissions. The first student was Sahibzada Khurshid Khan. By the end of the year, there were 33 students.
Islamia College, Peshawar is one of the oldest higher education institutions in the country. It was founded by Sir S.A. Qayyum and George Roos-Keppel, and was the first college in Pakistan. The college has a long history and is linked to the Aligarh Movement.
The Islamia College building is a landmark in Peshawar. Its unique architecture is reminiscent of Islamic architecture with cupolas and domes. The building is also decorated with different styles of eaves. It is well-maintained and beautiful, although foreigners might have difficulty entering.
Sethi Mohallah
Sethi Mohallah, located in the northwestern city of Peshawar, is home to a cluster of historic houses. These houses reflect the rich diversity of the artisanry and the spatial characteristics of this city. The houses were constructed in the 19th century. One of these houses, the Sethi Haveli, was built in 1884 by a Peshawar family. The design of the houses is influenced by Central Asian and Gandharan architecture.
In the 19th century, the Sethis dominated the Peshawar society. Today, they are little known. Their wealth and trade links with Russia have been lost. The Sethi Mohallah was subleased in the 1980s and is currently used as a school. Multiple renters have damaged the building, which is why it needs conservation. A UNESCO report has recommended that a Heritage Centre be set up in the building.
The Sethi family had large families. This is evident in the architecture of the Sethi Mohallah. Over thirty houses were built here, close to each other. Only thirteen of these original houses still stand. Their architectural styles were inspired by both the vernacular architecture of Bukhara and the art of Gandhara.
The Sethi Mohallah is a traditional neighbourhood in Peshawar. The houses have a central Asian feel to them and are ornamented with intricate wooden carvings. The family was involved in trade and had trading centres in Tashkent and Mazar Sharif. They were also active in the community, contributing to the development of Islamia College and Lady Reading Hospital.
Qissa Khwani
Peshawar is home to several historic places, including the bazaar at Qissa Khwani. This market was once a hub of ancient commerce in Asia, and its name translates to “street of storytellers”. Traders plied their wares from the bazaar, which was also the place to buy gold and silver.
Today, the area is home to Real Estate Projects in Peshawar. Famous people who have lived in this area include Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar. Shah Rukh Khan’s anesthesiologist family lives in one of the houses, and Dilip Kumar’s family was born here in 1922.
Another must-see place is the Sethi House, one of the city’s oldest Havelis. This 1884 structure was built by the Sethi family, who were well-to-do traders from South Asia. The building features intricate wooden carvings, stained glass windows, and an elaborate basement area. Visitors can tour the house with a guide.
You can also check out the Mahabat Khan Masjid, which was built by the Mughal rulers. Its façade is made of white marble, and its interior is decorated with colorful murals and floral motifs. This is one of the most important historical places in Peshawar.
Peshawar has a long and rich history. The city has an abundance of beautiful historic places.
Mahabat Khan Masjid
Mahabat Khan Mosque (sometimes spelled Mohabbat Khan Mosque) is a historic building located in Peshawar, Pakistan. It was built in 1630. It was named for the Mughal governor of Peshawar, Nawab Mohabat Khan Kamboh.
The mosque is made of white marble and is one of the most important places in the city. Its architecture is impressive and has a dazzling array of artwork. It is often listed on must-see lists for Pakistan, despite being under threat from the growing city.
But if a timely intervention and scientific techniques are applied, the damage to the mosque may be reversible. It is under heavy conservation work and will soon be restored to its former glory. This will ensure that it remains preserved for future generations. The restoration work will cost Rs. 88 million ($1.1 million AUD).
The mosque is a rectangular building with three raised entrances. It is flanked by two tall minarets. During the Sikh occupation of Punjab, the mosque was looted. The blue tiles and other decorative plates were ripped off. This happened after a Sikh general attacked Peshawar. After the Sikhs left, the British rebuilt the top domes of the mosque.
The city is also home to the Mohabbat Mosque, which has three fluted domes. The mosque also has carvings and merlons. Peshawar is the sixth largest city in Pakistan and the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is a strategically important city and has a rich history.
