Ignoring history: Down memory lane in Peshawar Museum

Museum reflecting the rich culture and civilization of Pashtun people is rarely visited by locals.

PESHAWAR: The history and culture of the Pashtun people and those others to whom Khyber  Pakhtunkhwa is home—the Kalash and Hazaras – is carefully preserved in the archives and showcases of the Peshawar Museum that except for few locals is mostly visited by foreign people who are fascinated by the customs and traditions that still mark the life of the people. The artefacts seen in the museum speak of the culture and civilization of the land and reflect the evolution of lifestyles, social and moral values over a period of centuries.

The Peshawar Museum offers every little detail about the history and culture of the Pashtun, Kalash and Hazara people and their predecessors in the region who represented the ancient Gandhara civilization.

On display one can see items ranging from ancient Gandhara art to coins from the 6th and 7th century, to clothing and tools and utensils used by different people from across the region.

Other cultural items of the region’s history preserved here include weapons, jewelry and various metal objects. A number of musical instruments on exhibit in the museum reflect the musical traditions of the people of K-P.

Besides these items, Peshawar Museum also houses a complete narrative of Buddha’s life in 74 events described using art and sculptures from the Gandhara period. A centuries old copy of Firdausi’s Shahnameh is a great attraction for the scholarly people. The museum needs more attention as well as tighter security against the danger of some kind of attack by the extremist elements who have been rampaging historical sites in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2011.