Peshawar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peshawar
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City district
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Clockwise from top: Islamia College, Cunningham clock tower, Sunehri Mosque, Bala Hissar Fortress, Bab-e-Khyber, Mahabat Khan Mosque
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| Nickname(s):
City of Flowers
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 Peshawar
Location in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Peshawar
Location in Pakistan
Peshawar
Location in Asia
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| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province |  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| District | Peshawar District |
| Union Councils | 92 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Metropolitan city |
| Area | |
| • City district | 1,257 km2 (485 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 331 m (1,086 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 450 m (1,480 ft) |
| Population
(2017)
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| • City district | 1,970,042 |
| • Rank | 1st, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 6th, Pakistan |
| • Density | 1,567.3/km2 (4,059.2/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 4,269,079 |
| Peshawar Municipal Corporation: 1,893,361 Peshawar University Town Council: 5,940 Peshawar Cantonment: 70,741 |
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| Time zone | UTC+5 (PKT) |
| Area code(s) | 092 |
| Languages | Pashto, Hindko, Urdu |
| HDI | 0.55 (data for 2012–2013)  |
| HDI Category | Medium |
| Website | City District Government of Peshawar |
Peshawar is the capital of the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Situated in the broad Valley of Peshawar near the eastern end of the historic Khyber Pass, close to the border with Afghanistan, Peshawar's recorded history dates back to at least 539 BCE, making it the oldest city in Pakistan and one of the oldest cities in the world. Peshawar was the capital of the ancient Kushan Empire, and was home to what may have been the tallest building in the ancient world, the Kanishka stupa. Peshawar was then sacked by the White Huns, before the arrival of Muslim empires. The city was an important trading centre during the Mughal era before serving as the winter capital of the Afghan Durrani Empire from 1757 until the city was captured by the Sikh Empire in 1818, who were then followed by the British in 1849.
The city of Peshawar has a population of 1,970,042 according to the 2017 census, making it the largest city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the sixth-largest in Pakistan, while Peshawar District has a population of 4,269,079.
Etymology
Peshawar is Purushapura which is Land of Men (Purusha means Man).
Geography
Topography
Peshawar is located in the broad Valley of Peshawar, which is surrounded by mountain ranges on three sides, with the fourth opening to the Punjab plains. The city is located in the generally level base of the valley, known as the Gandhara Plains.
Cityscape
Historically, the old city of Peshawar was a heavily guarded citadel that consisted of high walls. In the 21st century, only remnants of the walls remain, but the houses and havelis continue to be structures of significance. Most of the houses are constructed of unbaked bricks, with the incorporation of wooden structures for protection against earthquakes, with many composed of wooden doors and latticed wooden balconies. Numerous examples of the city's old architecture can still be seen in areas such as Sethi Mohallah. In the old city, located in inner-Peshawar, many historic monuments and bazaars exist in the 21st century, including the Mohabbat Khan Mosque, Kotla Mohsin Khan, Chowk Yadgar and the Qissa Khawani Bazaar. Due to the damage caused by rapid growth and development, the old walled city has been identified as an area that urgently requires restoration and protection.
The walled city was surrounded by several main gates that served as the main entry points into the city — in January 2012, an announcement was made that the government plans to address the damage that has left the gates largely non-existent over time, with all of the gates targeted for restoration.
Landmarks
The following is a list of other significant landmarks in the city that still exist in the 21st century:
- General
- Forts
- Bala Hisar Fort
- Colonial monuments
- Chowk Yadgar (formerly the "Hastings Memorial")
- Cunningham clock tower – built in 1900 and called "Ghanta Ghar"
- Buddhist
- Gorkhatri – an ancient site of Buddha's alms or begging bowl, and the headquarters of Syed Ahmad Shaheed, Governor Avitabile
- Pashto Academy – the site of an ancient Buddhist university
- Shahji ki Dheri – the site of the famous Kanishka stupa
- Hindu
- Sikh
- Sikh Gurudwara at Jogan Shah
- Parks
- Army Stadium
- Wazir Bagh – laid in 1802, by Fatteh Khan, Prime Minister of Shah Mahmud Khan
- Ali Mardan Khan Gardens (also known as Khalid bin Waleed Park) – formerly named "Company Bagh"
- Shahi Bagh – a small portion constitutes the site of Arbab Niaz Stadium
- Jinnah Park - A park on GT Road opposite Balahisar fort
- Tatara Park - A Park located in Hayatabad
- Bagh e Naran - A large park in Hayatabad. A portion of the park also has a Zoo.
- Mosques
- Mohabbat Khan Mosque
- Qasim Ali Khan Mosque
- Museums
- Peshawar Museum
- Zoo
- Peshawar Zoo
Images for kids
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In ancient Indian subcontinent, the city of Purushapura (which became Peshawar), was established near the Gandharan capital city of Pushkalavati
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The nearby Takht-i-Bahi monastery was established in 46 CE, and was once a major centre of Buddhist learning.
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Peshawar's Kanishka stupa once kept sacred Buddhist relics in the Kanishka casket.
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Clock Tower Peshawar
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Bestowed by Mohabbat Khan bin Ali Mardan Khan in 1630, the white-marble façade of the Mohabbat Khan Mosque is one of Peshawar's most iconic sights.
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The interior of the Mohabbat Khan Mosque is elaborately frescoed with elegant and intricately detailed floral and geometric motifs.
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Peshawar's Sunehri Mosque dates from the Mughal era.
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Peshawar's Bala Hissar fort was once the royal residence of the Durrani Afghan kings.
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Maratha Empire circa 1759
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The British-era Islamia College was built in an Indo-Saracenic Revival style.
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Built for wealthy local merchants in a Central Asian architectural style, the Sethi Mohallah features several homes dating from the British era.
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Edwardes College was built during the British-era, and is now one of Peshawar's most prestigious educational institutions.
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City Center Road is the major trade zone in Peshawar.
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Hayatabad area
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Peshawar International Airport offers direct flights throughout Pakistan, as well as to Bahrain, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
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One of Peshawar's privately run intercity bus terminals.
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The Peshawar Museum is known for its collection of Greco-Buddhist art.
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University of Peshawar
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Islamia College University
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Iqra National University
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Museum of Peshawar University
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FAST Peshawar Campus
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Bhittani Plaza
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Peshawar Gymkhana Cricket Ground
