Book on archaeological sites of KP tobe launched tomorrow

PESHAWAR: Gandhara, a collection of research on historical and archaeological sites and cultural heritage of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is set to hit the stalls as the book is formally being launched tomorrow.

Compiled by senior journalist Khalid Khan Kheshgi, the 189-page book can be termed the first research in Pashto language based on interviews with noted historians, educationists and archaeologists.

Though the region right from Bamyan in Afghanistan to the present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) to Taxila has been the abode to different civilisations and there are more than 6,000 historical places, only about 100 of them have been declared as archaeological heritage. The book has mentioned most of the sites and monuments.

The information provided by experts in their respective fields like late Prof Fidaullah Sehrai, Dr Ihsan Ali, Dr Javed Iqbal, Dr Naeem Qazi, Dr Naseemur Rahman, Dr Waqar Ali Shah and Dr Razia Sultana as well as Dr Abdul Samad, Prof Naseeruddin, Farhad Ali Khawar, Bakht Muhammad, Lutfur Rahman, Usman Olasyar, Fazal Khaliq, Afzal Shah Bacha, Nidaullah Sehrai, Dr Khaliq Ziar and Fazal Zaman Shalman has been included in the book.

The book is aimed at keeping abreast the new generation of the culture, tradition, religious harmony and history of their forefathers. It can be termed a valuable contribution to Pashto literature. It would be not be an exaggeration to say that information like the first planned city of South Asia at Rahman Dheri in Dera Ismail Khan and the proof of living in caves in Sangahu area in Mardan district and also in Bajaur Agency 30,000 years ago would be not less than revelation for many.

The research piece can be a best guide not only for the young generation but for tourists visiting historical places and buildings like Attock Fort, Balahisar Fort, Walled City of Peshawar, Gor Khatri and Mahabat Khan Masjid, Shaheedano Chowk, Buddha ruins at Takht Bhai, Shahbaz Garha, Hund, Kashmir Cave in Babozai in Mardan, Odegram Swat and Churchill Piquet Chakdara.

Although the book has mentioned routes used by Alexander the Great and Mughal Emperor Zahiruddin Babar like Khazana and Talash in Dir, Hund in Swabi, Khyber Pass and especially the proverbial place for those tired, Shahbaz Garha in Mardan. Since trade caravans and invading forces on their way to India used to stay at Shahbaz Garha due to which it got the name the ‘place for the tired’.

The book is mainly based on radio programmes for Mashal Radio (Radio Free Europe) done by the author, who visited and covered the rich heritage sites in central and northern parts of KP and Fata. However, he couldn’t reach important historical sites in Hazara division, Chitral and southern parts of KP and Fata and thus these places haven’t been covered in the book. Still the book can be adjudged a positive contribution for the benefit of the young and coming generations, researchers as well as tourists.

By going through the book one can realise how the region, which is now faced with terrorism and extremism, remained a seat of learning and religious harmony for centuries.