The cultural and administrative capital of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar is best known for its crowded alleys, bustling food streets and lively bazaars. The city has undergone significant changes, in terms of infrastructure in recent years. The construction of Ring Road Peshawar and the unveiling of the ultramodern Bus Rapid Transit System, which is in its final phase of construction, are important mentions in this regard. Despite witnessing rapid urbanisation, the city’s centuries-old history still stands tall in the form of famous landmarks. So, what makes the history of Peshawar so unique? To find the answer to this question, we’ll explore some of the most fascinating historical places in Peshawar in this blog.
Peshawar’s History – An Overview
Before we talk about any of the historical destinations in Peshawar, let’s familiarize ourselves with its history. Founded in the 15th century, the city of Peshawar has served as a centre of trade for East, Central and South Asia for hundreds of years. In a recent discovery, the remains of Buddhist activities, dating back to the 5th century, have also been found in the city, which is a prominent proof of its presence from ancient times.
Since it was the centre of economic activities in the region, the metropolitan area of Peshawar has witnessed the rise and fall of a mix of Roman, Hindus, Sikhs and Muslim empires through the course of its history, including the Achaemenid Empire, the Kushan Empire, the Hindu Shahis, the Ghaznavids, the Lodi Empire, the Sur Empire, the Durrani Empire and the Sikh Empire of Punjab to name a few. The historical attractions in Peshawar are the intriguing remnants of the city’s beautiful bygone eras.
Let’s find out what secrets all of these heritage sites have to reveal about Peshawar’s past.
Historical Places in Peshawar
The following are some of the most popular historical attractions in Peshawar:
- Mahabat Khan Masjid
- Sir Cunningham Clock Tower
- Shahi Bagh
- Qissa Khwani Bazaar
- Bala Hisar Fort
- Bab-e-Khyber
- Jamrud Fort
Mahabat Khan Masjid
Counted among the most popular historical landmarks in Peshawar, the Mahabat Khan Masjid, also spelled as the Mohabbat Khan Masjid, is an amazing piece of Mughal architecture, masterfully reflecting the rich heritage of the region. It was constructed in the year 1670 AD by Mahabat Khan, who was the then Governor of Peshawar during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. The outer structure of the Mahabat Khan masjid features three domes with two 107 feet height minaret erected on each side. The prayer chamber of the mosque is beautifully decorated with floral artwork. This iconic structure still stands with all its grace in Andar Shehr, an old city area of Peshawar.
Year Founded: 1670 AD
Location: Mohallah Baqir Shah, Andar Shehr, Peshawar
Popular Eateries Nearby:
- Peshawar Khalis Food – 4-min drive
- Jalil Kabab House – 8-min drive
- Nisar Charsi Tikka – 9-min drive
- Shahi Ronaq Restaurant – 11-min drive
Sir Cunningham Clock Tower
To commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Victoria, Her Majesty the Queen Empress of the British Colonial Empire, a clock tower in Peshawar was constructed at the turn of the 20th century by Sir George Cunningham, then-governor of what was then called the North-West Frontier Province. Locally known as “Ghanta Ghar,” Peshawar’s Cunningham Clock Tower is located at only a few minutes’ drive from Mahabat Khan Masjid to the east of Chowk Yadgar, which is the oldest and busiest part of the city. Its architecture is quite similar to the clock towers found in other cities of Pakistan, including Faisalabad and Sukkur. Though time has taken its toll on the overall structure of Sir Cunningham Clock Tower, this old site in Peshawar hasn’t lost its charm and it fascinates historians to date.
Year Founded: 1900
Location: Sarafa Bazar Road, East of Chowk Yadgar, Peshawar
Popular Eateries Nearby:
- Sarafa Bazaar’s Food Street – 1-min walk
- Peshawar Khalis Food – 3-min drive
- Chowk Yaadgar Faluda Shop – 5-min walk
- Nisar Charsi Tikka – 9-min drive
- Shahi Ronaq Restaurant – 11-min drive
Shahi Bagh
Known as one of the city’s oldest gardens, Shahi Bagh was built during the Mughal era. The place serves as the hub of literary gatherings, political meetings and other kinds of social activities taking place in the city. The total area of the park is around 100 acres, comprising a large variety of trees. Accessible all-year-round, it is one of the most popular historical places in Peshawar as people from all over the city visit Shahi Bagh with family and friends to indulge in different types of recreational activities.
Location: Shahi Bagh Road, Faqirabad, Peshawar
Opening Hours: 8 am till 7 pm (seven days a week)
Popular Eateries Nearby:
- Jalil Kabab House – 2-min drive
- Haleem Ghar – 3-min drive
- Aryana Restaurant – 4-min drive
- Taj Mahal Burger – 5-min drive
Qissa Khawani Bazaar
The Street of Storytellers, locally known as Qissa Khwani Bazaar, is one of the most commercially-active historical sites in Peshawar. The name of this place entails a very unique history as it remained a pit stop for traders and travellers belonging to different parts of the continent to gather and swap stories. From selling spices and black tea to trading silver and gold, the market served as a business hub for merchants from all over Asia in ancient times.
A place that was once used to be a hub of black and green tea cafes has now transformed into a market based on a cluster of shops selling electronics and clothing items. Though time has changed a lot of things about this place, Qissa Khawani bazaar still boasts a nostalgic look with narrow alleys and age-old structures that serve as a constant reminder of its noteworthy historical importance.
Year Founded: 1930
Location: Qissa Khawani Road, Andar Shehr, Peshawar
Popular Eateries Nearby
- Bahria Dastarkhwan – 1-min walk
- Pakistan Hotel – 1-min walk
- Saeed Food Corner – 1-min walk
- Al Sheikh Chargha – 1-min walk
- Peshawari Khalis Food – 3-min drive
Bala Hissar Fort
Sitting on a high mound in the city’s northwest corner, Bala Hisar Fort is one of the most fascinating historical destinations in Peshawar. The name “Bala Hissar” is driven from the Afghan dialect of the Persian language, which means “elevated or high fort”. It used to be a royal palace of the Durrani Empire until its destruction and reconstruction by the Sikh Empire of Punjab in 1834. The remnants of this fort are well-preserved.
The place offers you some of the most amazing panoramic views of the valley. Since Bala Hissar Fort is looked after by the Pakistan Army, nobody is allowed to enter the building. However, you can still climb the elevated region around the fort to get a closer look at its outer walls and visit a small museum in its vicinity to get to know more about the history of Peshawar and this heritage site.
Year Founded: 1526
Location: A few kilometres away from Kartay Now Road, Peshawar
Popular Eateries Nearby:
- Capital Pizza Hut – 5-min drive
- Samir Burger – 5-min drive
- Safi Chicken Sajji – 6-min drive
- Asli Chenaar Kabab – 6-min drive
Bab-e-Khyber
Majestically standing at the entrance of Peshawar from the very famous Khyber Pass, Bab-e-Khyber is one of the key historical landmarks in Peshawar. This iconic structure also enjoys great national importance as it has been featured on a 10-rupee note of Pakistan currency. It is located adjacent to Jamrud Fort, which is also counted among the most popular historical places to visit in Peshawar.
Year Founded: 1964
Location: Grand Trunk Road, Peshawar
Popular Eateries Nearby:
- Khyber Shinwari Tikka – 2-min drive
- Sami A. Shinwari Restaurant – 7-min drive
- Karkhanay Restaurant – 7-min drive
- Asli Baba Restaurant – 7-min drive
- Afghan Restaurant – 9-min drive
Jamrud Fort
Jamrud Fort is located beside the very famous Bab-e-Khyber, which serves as the entrance to the city of Peshawar from Khyber Pass. The fort is also known as Fatehgarh and is a valued heritage site. It was built on the orders of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh of the Sikh Empire, who had it built in only 45 days under the supervision of his appointed army general Hari Singh with the help of over 6,000 soldiers taking part in construction activities. Since the fort was tactfully constructed adjacent to the gateway of Peshawar, it served as one of the key strategic points used by the Sikh Empire to fight battles with its enemies. As Jamrud fort enjoys a culturally vibrant past, it is counted among some of the most fascinating historical places to visit in Peshawar.
Year Founded: 1834
Location: Off Grand Trunk Road, Peshawar
Popular Eateries Nearby:
- Khyber Shinwari Tikka – 2-min drive
- Sami A. Shinwari Restaurant – 7-min drive
- Karkhanay Restaurant – 7-min drive
- Asli Baba Restaurant – 7-min drive
- Afghan Restaurant – 9-min drive
This was our pick of the most famous historical places in Peshawar. Share your experience with us at blog@zameen.com if you have been to any of these places. We’d love to hear from you.
Meanwhile, if you are a diehard fan of history, you might also want to check out some of our previous blogs in which we have listed the most famous historical forts in Pakistan, given you a pen tour of the iconic Saidpur Village and talked about the top historical attractions in Sindh.
Stay tuned to Zameen Blog as we’ll keep coming up with exciting tourism pieces featuring some of the top tourist and historical attractions from across Pakistan. Never miss out on any of the updates from our blog section by subscribing to our email newsletter. Make us a part of your social network by connecting with us on Facebook and Instagram.
