📖 About Peshawar

Peshawar is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities and the capital of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. With approximately 2 million residents, this ancient city near the Khyber Pass has been a crossroads of civilizations for over 2,000 years—Greeks, Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims have all left their mark. Peshawar means "Frontier Town" in Persian.

The old city's bazaars retain medieval character—narrow lanes filled with carpet sellers, silversmiths, and spice merchants. The Bala Hisar Fort overlooks the city. Peshawar Museum houses world-class Gandharan Buddhist art. The city's strategic location near Afghanistan has shaped its turbulent modern history. Despite challenges, Peshawar embodies Pashtun hospitality and ancient trading traditions at the crossroads of South and Central Asia.

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💼 Economy & Culture

Peshawar's economy combines traditional trade with modern commerce. Bazaars sell carpets, gemstones, handicrafts, and smuggled goods. Agriculture in the surrounding valley is important. The university and government services employ educated workers. Cross-border trade (formal and informal) with Afghanistan is significant. Security concerns have challenged development.

Pashtun culture dominates—Pashto is widely spoken alongside Urdu. Pashtunwali, the Pashtun code of honor emphasizing hospitality, bravery, and revenge, shapes society. Islam is universal; conservative values prevail. Traditional dress includes the shalwar kameez. Food features kebabs, chapli kebab, and green tea. The culture is proud, hospitable, and rooted in tribal traditions adapted to modern urban life.

📜 History

Peshawar was founded over 2,000 years ago. Under the Kushan Empire, it was the eastern capital—Buddhist Gandhara flourished. Hindu, Afghan, and Sikh rulers followed. The British controlled the city from 1849 as a frontier garrison.

Independence (1947) and partition brought refugees. The Soviet-Afghan War (1979-89) transformed Peshawar into a base for mujahideen. Post-2001, the war on terror brought violence and refugees. Recent years have seen improved security. Today Peshawar develops carefully, balancing its ancient heritage with contemporary challenges.