Peshawar museum reopens after facelift

It is the only museum of Gandhara Art in the world with over 30,000 rare and precious artefacts

PESHAWAR:

Peshawar Museum, the only museum of Gandhara Art in the world with over 30,000 rare and precious artefacts, has been reopened for general public, archeologists and tourists after completion of renovation work.

The entire colonial-era building including its exterior and interior structure and designs has been completely restored to original form by renowned experts without compromising the original architecture.

The two-story building, an amalgamation of British and Mughal architectures, was originally consisted of a main hall and two side aisles on ground and first floor, surmounted by four elegant cupolas and small pinnacle on all corners, has been renovated. The renovation work was necessitated after its exterior and interior structure was badly affected by earthquakes and harsh weather conditions.

It is the only museum in world where the complete life story of the founder of Buddhism, Bhudda is preserved in the form of panels and statues, attracting domestic and international tourists, Buddhists and monks in great numbers. The completed renovation and conservation work includes an old main hall built in 1906 in memory of Queen Victoria where complete life story of Bhudda has been on display at the Buddha Gallery showing several stages of his life ranging from his royal childhood to meditation as a wanderer. These rare relics attract tourists from all over the world. Constructed some 150 years back on Sher Suri Road opposite of Governor House, Peshawar Museum has about 30,000 rare antiques, artifacts, coins, swords, guns and others items including 16,000 items properly showcased and another 14,000 stored in cupboards due to scarcity of space.

In the renovation process its colonial era dorms and ceilings have been restored while all outdated plastic pipes as well as electrical wires were replaced with an imported electrification and other relevant materials to prevent water seepage and ensure uninterrupted power supply in a unique style of colorful lightings.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2021.