Chowk Yadgar
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Chowk Yadgar or “The Square of Remembrance” is a famous landmark of Peshawar. Its location at the heart of the old walled city of Peshawar makes it a must see for every traveler. It is located at the convergence point of different major roads and bazaars of the old city.
[edit] History
The first “Dome Shaped” monument at this square was originally erected in the memory of Colonel C. Hastings in 1892 AD by his friends. Ever since then this place has witnessed agitation stemming from religious, political and international issues in the country and this place has a status equivalent to Hyde Park of London. So much so that several anti-British rallies started from this point towards the end of British Colonial Rule in the early 20th century. However, in 1969 the square was dedicated to the heroes of India-Pakistan War of 1965 and the old monument was demolished and approximately a 100 feet tall concrete arch was constructed. With the passage of time that “Modern White Marble Arch” became a symbol of Peshawar. But unfortunately this monument was also demolished and replaced in the early nineties with another “Dome Shaped” structure which currently stands atop an underground road connection.
[edit] Location
To the West of Chowk Yadgar is the end of “Ander Shehr Street” (meaning “inside of the city”) or “Jewelers street”. The Jewelers Street starts from the “Naz Cinema Road” (right in front of Forward High School) and culminates at Chowk Yadgar. The entrance to famous Mohabbat Khan Mosque is located in the middle of this narrow street. To the East of Chowk Yadgar is the Cunningham clock tower or (Ghanta Ghar) which was built in 1900 “in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen Empress” but is named after Sir George Cunningham a British Civil Servant, who came along somewhat later. The main street from “Peepal Mandi leads towards Chowk Yadgar after passing through the Bird Market; where song birds are sold as pets in small cages. To the left are a cluster of cloth shops who are engaged is selling all types of multi-purpose sheets. On the West Side of Chowk Yadgar, one can spot “money changers” sitting on hand-knotted Afghani carpets with their safes behind them and their pocket calculators in their hands. These money changers will change any currency (illegally), but will accept only large notes. The road on the South side eventually leads to the famous Qissa Khawani Bazaar.
The houses around Chowk Yadgar are built mostly of unbaked bricks set in wooden frames so as to guard against earthquakes. Many of these old houses have beautifully carved heavy wooden doors and almost all have highly ornamental wooden balconies. An onlooker can still witness some of these balconies while standing at the centre of Chowk Yadgar.
