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PESHAWAR, Jul 20 (APP):Tucked along the historic Khyber Pass and nestled in the heart of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar stands not just as an ancient city but as a living museum echoing the voices, cultures, and conquests of more than 3000 years of South Asian history.
Officially recognized as the “Oldest Living City in South Asia” by the Department of Archaeology, Peshawar continues to reveal its secrets through ongoing archaeological discoveries that highlight its unparalleled significance in the ancient world.
From its famed Qissa Khwani Bazaar to the towering Balahisar Fort, Peshawar has stood resilient through the reign of empires and the march of invaders. Yet, it is beneath its dust-laden streets particularly in the deep trenches of Gor Khatri.that the layers of history truly unfold.
At the center of archaeological focus is Gor Khatri, an ancient site that has attracted international attention.
Described in the British Journal of Current World Archaeology as “the deepest and biggest excavation in the world,” the site presents a stunning profile of the city’s timeline through 20 meticulously excavated cultural layers.
“These layers provide an unbroken sequence of human habitation, from the British colonial era down to the pre-Indo-Greek period,” explained Bakhtzada Khan, Assistant Director of Archaeology and Museums.
“We found evidence of nearly ten ancient civilizations having left their mark on Peshawar,” he told APP.
These include empires as diverse as the Achaemenid Persians, Mauryans, Greeks, Kushans, White Huns, Mughals, Sikhs, and the British.
The findings affirm Peshawar’s role as a geopolitical and cultural pivot point that has both endured and absorbed centuries of change.
Historically, Peshawar has been more than a city. it has been a hub of commerce, cuisine, and cultural confluence. Its Qissa Khwani Bazaar, often referred to as the “Bazaar of Storytellers,” once thrived as a key meeting point for international traders from Central Asia and beyond.
Merchants would pause here, sampling local delicacies like Chappli Kababs and traditional Qehwa, while exchanging tales and music before continuing their caravans deeper into the subcontinent.
“The bazaar wasn’t just a place of trade but it was a living archive of oral history and culture,” said Bakhtzada.
Among Peshawar’s architectural marvels, the Mohabat Khan Mosque and the Sethi House stand out for their intricate artistry and historical weight. The Mohabat Khan Mosque, a gem of Mughal-era architecture, is currently undergoing extensive conservation.
The renovation of historical minarets, ceilings, and adjacent structures of Mohabat Khan mosque has been completed. Authorities are negotiating with shopkeepers to remove 42 encroaching businesses that threaten the mosque’s structure.
Meanwhile, Sethi House, built in 1886 by a wealthy merchant family inspired by the architecture of Bukhara, has been transformed into a museum.
This British-era building showcases elaborate woodwork, stained glass windows, and a design that fuses regional Islamic aesthetics with Central Asian motifs.
“I have seen many photos, but nothing compares to seeing Sethi House in person. The craftsmanship is astonishing,” said Engr Asad Khan, a visitor from Nowshera.
The city is also home to one of the world’s most extensive collections of Gandhara art. The Peshawar Museum, now restored, houses over 400,00 artifacts, including sculptures and relics that narrate the life of Lord Buddha. It attracts Buddhists, scholars, and tourists from around the globe.
“This museum is a global treasure preserving not just artifacts, but the philosophies and spiritual heritage of ancient Asia,” said he said.
The ‘Heritage By Night’ Initiative by the Directorate General of Archaeology and Museums, KP, offers a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the allure of Peshawar’s historical sites after sunset.
The illumination of Peshawar Museum, Gor Khatri, and Sethi House in Peshawar, done through the KITE Project, promotes heritage tourism by night.
Take a virtual tour with this elaborate video of our ‘Heritage By Night’ and experience the architectural beauty of Peshawar.
He said Directorate of Archaeology is currently working on 12 active conservation projects, including major initiatives in Swat, Takht Bhai, and the Kalash Valleys of Chitral. Special budget as earmarked for the documentation of archaeological sites in the merged tribal districts and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Assistant Director, Bakhat Muhammad added that around 3,000 historical sites have been identified across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with 1,840 in Peshawar alone.
While many are protected, others like Lady Reading Hospital, Qissa Khwani, and Sakhi Shah Mardan Villa remain unprotected, highlighting the need for enhanced preservation efforts.
Despite centuries of invasions, rebuilding, and modernization, Peshawar endures not just as a city, but as a testament to South Asia’s enduring spirit of cultural exchange and resilience.
In every carved wooden panel of Sethi House, every artifact at the Peshawar Museum, and every ancient brick uncovered at Gor Khatri, lies a reminder: the past is not gone it’s simply waiting to be rediscovered.