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Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province and is one of the best known cities of Pakistan. This may be due to its being the frontier town, its proximity to the famous Khyber Pass or its mention in the history written as far back as 400 BC In the past, it has been mentioned by different names. Herodotus, the Greek historian has referred to it as Pushpapura, Fa Hian mentions it as Poleushaha, Hiun Tsang refers to it as Pulu-Shalpu-Lo. The name Peshawar was given to it by the great Moghul Emperor, Akbar.
Coming from Afghanistan through the Khyber Pass, Peshawar is the first main city. Many scholars, traders, merchants, historians and conquerors have passed through it. It is now, as it has always been, a frontier town. This land of the Pathans is as handsome as its sons and as charming as its daughters. Hospitality reigns in this land of contrast and beauty. Peshawar has enjoyed the reputation of being the center of attraction for tourists since centuries.
There are very few ancient cities in the subcontinent, which in spite of the great stresses and strains have retained their old complexion, and Peshawar is one of them. A walk through the old city's blind alleys will help you appreciate how Peshawar has retained its centuries old grandeur and complexion. The ramparts though in dilapidated state, and the various Darwazas (gates) still exist to tell a story of the good old days. A town set in the rugged splendor of the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan it is undoubtedly a true metropolis of the Orient. It has till today, preserved its traditional flavor and retained the air of Arabian Nights - without remaining indifferent to the demands of modern development.
The valley of Peshawar has been described as the Gandhara Kingdom in ancient history. Later, veils of obscurity began to clear with the invasion of the Macedonian King, when the valley resounded with Clap-Trap of Greek Armies under the command of Alexander the Great who made a two-pronged attack, one pan of his armies marching directly through the Khyber Pass and the other pushing its way through the area of Kunar, Bajaur and Swat. Alexander himself accompanied the latter.
His mission did not leave deep impressions on the Peshawar valley. Buddhism thrived here, and in the reign of Asoka, the grandson of Chandragupta, the new religion made inroads into Kabul and Kashmir. This period is known for its famous rock edicts-inscriptions cut into hard rocks or pillars of stones, directed by Asoka himself. The object of having these inscriptions made has been stated to be of an ethical and religious nature, rather than being anything historical or political. One such edict has been discovered on a rock near a village called Shahbaz Garhi, about 10 miles East of Mardan. Buddhism was in its ascendancy when Fa Hian reached here. But was losing ground by the time Hiun Tsang came here sometime in the 6th Century.
Before the close of the 7th Century, Pathans appeared on the soil and spread to a part of the plain country near the River Indus. Supported by the Gakhars at a later stage, they also compelled the Lahore rulers to surrender the hilly country-West of the river Indus and south of the river Kabul. It was in the 10th Century that Peshawar fell to Muslim Rule for the first time when Subaktageen defeated Jaipal, the ruler of Lahore. His son, Mahmood Gaznavi, succeeded Subaktageen and Peshawar (or Parshawar as it used to be called in the past) remained under Mahmood's successors. During the later period, many more Muslim Warriors came, one after the other through the Khyber Pass. In 1505 there appeared Babar (the great Moghul) on the scene. He and his successors ruled the territory for about four hundred years. This also aided in the spread of Islam-the religion being followed and practiced till today.
Thus, the story of Peshawar is a story of many a people and of many a culture. Conquered by Greeks, ruled by Buddhists, captured by the great Moghuls, overrun by Sikhs and annexed by the British in succession, Peshawar has emerged enriched in color and tradition from the endless turmoil of history. The Greeks have left their mark here and the Buddhists have immortalized their memory. Villages still bear Greek names and the faces remind one of the classic Greek features. Innumerable pieces of Gandhara sculpture excavated from archaeological sites bear testimony to the high standard of art attained by the Buddhists some two thousand years ago.
A tourist would certainly find it interesting to enter into any Mohallah, Kucha or street and behold the past in the modern sphere. Most of the Mohallahs have been named not after persons but after professions, which shows that the people of Peshawar gave more importance to their professions than personalities and were proud of them.
Peshawar has also been touched by the wand of modernization, but it has restricted itself to the area across the railway line, which plays the role of a divider between the past and the present.
The Saddar area is spaciously laid out with avenues of tall old trees, broad tarred roads, green lawns and modern structures. To the west on the road to khyber today you find a line of educational institutions and a new township has come up recently.
There are many exciting sites and buildings which stand majestically to offer their traditional hospitality to the visitors.
Two fascinating walks can be taken from the square. To the left is the Andarshahr Bazaar and this is the Jewelry Bazaar of the old city. Quite some interesting antique silver jewelry as well as some tribal jewelry can be bought in this place.
The next lane to the right stands the Meena Bazaar for women here you find the same wares as found in other Meena Bazaars. This is the right place to buy a genuine Burqa in.