A Travel Guide of Peshawar: An Old Historical City & My Hometown

A Brief History of Peshawar

'As far as the eye reached, flowers were in bloom. In spring near Parashawar the fields of flowers are very beautiful indeed' -Babar

One of the oldest city of the world, Peshawar has been the dominion of many empires—from Central Asia, Persia, and the Mediterranean to a trading centre along the Silk Road, and the meeting place of divergent cultures and peoples in its markets such as the Qissa Khwami Bazaar. Established around 2000 years ago, it was the capital of the Kushan Empire during the 2nd century CE and one of its rulers, Kanishka, built an enormous Buddhist stupa here, which drew pilgrims such as Fa Hsien and made the city a prominent centre of Buddhism until the 7th century.

Islam arrived in the region around 1000 CE and remains the dominant faith through today. The city came under Mughal rule when Babur conquered India in 1526 and founded the Mughal Empire. He built a fort here in 1530, and his grandson, Akbar, gave the city its current name. In the mid-16th century, Sher Shah constructed the highway that linked Delhi to Kabul via Peshawar and the Khyber Pass. In 1818, Peshawar was captured by the Indian Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh and then fell to the British. Following independence in 1947, Peshawar became part of Pakistan. Today, it is the capital of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

Food and Drink in Peshawar

For foodies! Peshawar has many things to offer, but most of them, in a traditional manner and in a traditional environment. Most of the restaurants are predominant with the traditional Pashtun cuisine which is largely based on cereals like wheat and rice as well as a plethora of meat dishes that includes lamb, beef, chicken, and fresh fish. But that's not it! Peshawrites aren't non vegetarian, you will find many dishes of locally grown fresh vegetables. 

Peshawar has acquired a good name now in the fast-food industry and is attracting people from around the province. Big fast-food giants have gathered here to satisfy the eye and mouth hunger of Peshories and feel them the exotic taste of the Macs and Whoppers.

Here are some of the dishes you will not want to miss! To be break it down, I have enlisted them according to meal structure.

Breakfast

Breakfast, locally called nāshtā (ناشتہ‬) usually consists of  parathas or sheermal or naan or kulcha and tea served with eggs (boiled/scrambled/fried/omelette) or chole (chickpeas) or halwa poori. Whichever combo you like.

My favourite combo?

Tea + Parathas + Eggs

Tea + Naan + Chole

Tea + Halwa poori

Lunch

A typical Pakistani lunch consists of meat curry along with rice or a pile of roti. Daal chawal is among the most commonly taken dishes at lunch. Breads such as roti or naan are usually served for dinner, but have become more common during the day so that rice may be served for dinner. Popular lunch dishes may include aloo gosht (meat and potato curry) or any vegetable with mutton. Chicken dishes like chicken karahi are also popular. Alternatively, roadside food stalls often sell just lentils and tandoori rotis, or masala stews with chapatis. People who live near the main rivers also eat fish for lunch, which is sometimes cooked in the tandoori style.

Getting around Peshawar

Peshawar is a populous city and getting around Peshawar is usually not an easy task. All eyes are on the under-construction BRT Project but till then the mode of transportation is buses and taxis. Buses are the cheapest mode of transportation but you won't take the bus unless you have a lot of time and visiting a to place which comes on the main GT road. Otherwise, you propbably will have to hire a taxi. And the good news is that Careem and Uber has started operations here at Peshawar. So no worries now moving around. 

Have a question, comment, or recommendation about something to see and do in Peshawar? Comment below or Contact me!