Peshawar is not only the capital city of NW&FP but also it is center of administration for FATA (Federally Administrative Frontier Areas), Pakistan. Peshawar is Persian word and it means "high fort". Different empires ruled Peshawar in different times such as Afghan, Britian, Arab, Turk, Mongol, Mughal, Sikh, Persian, Greek etc. Current city of Peshawar was built during the Mughal rule, Mughal emperor Jalal ud Din Muhammad Akbar built the modern city of Peshawar, he gave this city a new name of Peshawar. Peshawar was a connecting link between different cultures of Asia such as South Central Asia, Middle East as it is the center of all economical, political, cultural activities of the Pushton group of Pakistan. History speaks that Peshawar had a domination of Iranian tribes, that was associated with the Gandhara kingdom and it was also linked to the Harrapan civilization that belonged to Indus river valley, Bactria and several other Afghan kingdoms. According to the history, initially the Tocharain originated tribes of Cental Asia "Kushans" founded a city that was known as Purushapura Alexender the great also ruled the city and after him the rule was handed over to Seleucus I Nicator. Later on it went under the rule of Chandragupta Maurya who established the Maurya empire, after Maurya empire Buddhism came in the city and Buddhism is considered as the largest religion before the arrival of Islam. Later on Peshawar went under the rule of Greco-Bactrian King who occupied Peshawar, this possession was continued till the Parthian kings rule. After several other rulers Turkic Muslim took over the control of Peshawar city and then Babar, vanquisher, arrived Peshawar and he established a city named as Bagram, later on Akbar who was the grand son of Babar renamed the city as Peshawar that is a Persian word and it means "The place at the Frobtier" Peshawar city is also called as "City of grain" and "City of Flowers", while it was called as "Lotus Land" during the Kushans King rule. Mughal rule was ended and then Peshawar went under the control of Persian ruler Nadir Shah. After that Sikh's leader Maharaja Ranjit Singh took the control, after two nation war Peshawar went under Sikh Kingdom. Then comes the Britain, Peshawar was ruled by the East India Company. In 19th century when due to strong invasion of Hindu and Muslim invaders Britain had to leave Hindustan, they divided Hindustan into two independent parts, Peshawar was included in the new country Pakistan. Peshawar is the center of all economical, commercial, trade and business activities due to its geaographical location. It is a liaison between South, Central, West Asia and Middle East. Peshawar has normal and temperate weather, during summer season temperature reaches up to 40 °C while in winter season it falls to 4 °C. Rainfall occurs during summer and winter season.
According to an estimate the total population of Peshawar was 2,982, 816 in 1998. Currently Peshawar is a fast growing city with the growth rate of 3.2%/year. There are major groups of inhabitants in Peshawar these are Pashtons and Hindkowans. Other sects and habitants includes Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Persians, Punjabis, Chitralis and Gypsies.
The state religion of Peshawar is Islam due to the majority of Muslim; other religions are Hinuism, Sikhism, Zorastrian etc. Peshawar has a strong domination of Afghan culture, Pashtons and Hindkowans. Peshawar has its own international airport for the transportation of Peshawar's people. Karakoram Highway connects Peshawar to all other major cities of Pakistan such as Karachi, Quetta, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan etc. Several roads connect Peshawar to China nad Afghanistan. Khyber connects Peshawar to Afghanistan. Buses, public coaches, auto rickshaws, cabs are the main sources for local movement and traveling. Peshawar is connected through rest of Pakistan by its Railway station that is under the control of Pakistan railways. Peshawar has so many quality educational institutions such as:
Peshawar University, Khyber Medical University, I.M|Sciences, Agriculture University of Peshawar, University of Engineering & Technology (U.E.T.), National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (FAST-NU), Islamia College Peshawar, Gandhara University, Iqra University, Institute of Management Studies, ICMS, City University Of Science & Technology, Institute of Business & Management Sciences, CECOS, Gandhara Medical College, Sarhad University, Ghulam IOshaq Khan Institute of Science & Technology, Topi, NWFP, College of Aeronautical Engineering (CAE, NUST), Risalpur, NWFP, Peshawar Medical College, Abasin University, Preston University, Greenwich University, PAC, Jinnah College for Women, Edwardes College Peshawar, Government College Peshawar , Superior Science College Wazirbagh Peshawar, Fazaia Degree College (PAF Degree College), University Public School (1964), University Model School, Peshawar Model School, Collegiate School Islamia College etc.
Qissa Khwani Bazar is the most popular and historical bazaar (market) of Peshawar. This bazaar is a great tourist attraction.
