Shahi Bagh ( ps, شاهي باغ , ur, ) is one of the oldest and largest gardens in

Peshawar Peshawar (; ps, پېښور ; hnd, ; ; ur, ) is the sixth most populous city in Pakistan, with a population of over 2.3 million. It is situated in the north-west of the country, close to the International border with Afghanistan. It is ...

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (; ps, خېبر پښتونخوا; Urdu, Hindko: خیبر پختونخوا) commonly abbreviated as KP or KPK, is one of the Administrative units of Pakistan, four provinces of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, ...

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...

. It is a Mughal-era park located in the Peshawar city near the

Arbab Niaz Stadium Arbab Niaz Stadium ( ur, ارباب نیاز سٹیڈیم), formerly known as Shahi Bagh Stadium ( ur, شاہی باغ سٹیڈیم), is a cricket stadium in Peshawar, Pakistan and home ground of Peshawar Zalmi. It is owned by Khyber Pakhtunkh ...

and has been a hub for political meetings, literary and social gatherings in the city.

History

Qaid-e-Azam_Monument_Shahi_Bagh_Peshawar

Shahi Bagh is located in Faqirabad, Peshawar. The literal meaning of "Shahi Bagh" in local languages is "The Royal Park". The total area of the park is almost 100 acres and was built during the time of the

Mughals The Mughal Empire was an early-modern empire that controlled much of South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries. Quote: "Although the first two Timurid emperors and many of their noblemen were recent migrants to the subcontinent, the d ...

. It holds a significant recreational and historical value for the city and its residents. According to the government, the garden is a national heritage site and public property. Shahi Bagh is a very popular place among students. Students used to go for recreational activities in the park and even study in the olden days. Sant Kirpal Singh, who used to study in Edwardes Church Mission High School (Edwardes College) Peshawar, writes that he used to take his book and study in the Shahi Bagh. Over the years, due to wear and tear and neglect by various governments, the condition of Shahi Bagh had deteriorated. So, in August 2009, then ANP led Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, launched the beautification and renovation of Shahi Bagh with the financial support of

USAID The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance. With a budget of over $27 bi ...

, The project was formally inaugurated on by then Senior Minister of

Pukhtunkhwa Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (; ps, خېبر پښتونخوا; Urdu, Hindko: خیبر پختونخوا) commonly abbreviated as KP or KPK, is one of the Administrative units of Pakistan, four provinces of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, ...

province

Bashir Ahmed Bilour Bashir Ahmad Bilour ( ps, بشیر احمد بلور; 1 August 1943 – 22 December 2012) was a member of the provincial assembly of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Senior Minister for Local Government and Rural Development of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Early ...

and the Senior Deputy Mission Director for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Denise Herbol. In 2012, through applications from social activists and citizens of Peshawar, the Peshawar High Court Chief Justice had taken notice of the park's condition and government of the province was ordered to remove all the newly illegally built structures and buildings in the garden to restore it to its original old shape.

Buildings and recreational sites

Shahi Bagh currently houses many buildings and recreational sites: * Arbab Naiz Cricket Stadium *

Government College Peshawar Government College Peshawar is public sector college located in Zaryab Colony, Faqirabad, Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The college offers programs for intermediate level both in Arts and Science groups, which are affiliated with Board ...

* Municipal Inter College For Girls, Peshawar * Pakistan Tennis Club Peshawar * Parda Bagh and Wedding Hall * Peshawar Gymkhana Cricket Ground * Shalimar Garden * Tehmas Khan Football Stadium Peshawar

References

{{coord, 34, 01, 09.1, N, 71, 34, 32.1, E, display=title Peshawar Tourist attractions in Peshawar Mughal gardens in Pakistan Parks in Pakistan Parks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

History

Buildings and recreational sites

See also

References