Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

 Introduction of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also referred to as KPK or checked the abbreviation NWFP, is an operational province in Pakistan. The northwestern portion of Pakistan holds KP while the territory rests between the western region of Afghanistan and the northern frontier of the country. Gilgit-Baltistan on the North-east, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on the east, and province of Punjab and Baluchistan in the south.

Geography and Landscape:

The natural beauty of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa includes valleys and high hills and mountains and rivers extending throughout the province. It has the Hindu Kush mountains the famous Swat Valley the Kagan Valley and so on. Tourism in in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa primarily due to scenic beauty has tourists attract. Tourist spots like Malam Jabba, Kalam, and Hunza.

Historical Significance:

KP has a long standing and has been at the crossroad of many civilizations because of the Silk Road locations. They include the Achaemenids, Marians, Greeks, Kushan and finally the Mughals Empire’s great influence. Some of the area’s ancient relics rooted to Gandharan civilization are Buddhist archaeological site such as Takht-i-Bahi.

Culture and Language:

KPK has the largest population, and 95% of this population is Pathans. The path on or Pashto is the main language of the region. The people are friendly, culturally familial and, primarily, abide by the Pashtunwali. Tribal laws which include honor, hospitality in addition to loyalty.

Economy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

KP is mostly an agricultural economy, however, tourism, forestry and trading also have an important share. Another Physical Natural Resource that has not been sufficiently developed in the province of KP remains hydropower and minerals. The largest commercial and industrial centers include Peshawar the provincial capital city, Marden and Abbottabad.

Key Features:

• Capital: Peshawar
• Famous Places: Swat, Chitral, Dir, Natali, and Khyber Pass
• Culture: Pashtun culture and traditional dance and music a and fairs and shares such as Jirgas.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa history:

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) which was formerly, the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP). One of the most ancient regions of the world. This is because central Asia is located at the crossroads of central and south Asia and has therefore. The past succeeded and failed many times over due to invasions by other great regions.

Ancient History:

• Prehistoric Era: Prehistoric era revealing human existence in this region is as old as the Stone Age which covers even Swat Valley.
• Gandhara Civilization: The ancient Gandhara kingdom flourished in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The 6th century BCE to the 11th century CE or after it and famous as an art Cultural and Buddhist zone. Taxila, Takht-i-Bahi and But kara Stupa are some of the cities along with other places. That acted as important centers of learning and religion in that part of the world.
•  Achaemenid Empire: In the 6th century BCE such a region was a part of the Persian Achaemenid. Empire which embraced parts of Asia and thousands of kilometers of the territory of its modern’s descendants.
• Alexander the Great: In 327 BCE, Alexander the Great invaded the area, swearing through Swat and conquering some part of KP and crossing forward.
•  Mauryan Empire: Working 3rd century B.C.E Mauryan Empire with engaging Ashoka the Great the Alexander influenced Buddhism to remain constant and to improve the peace and development continuously.
• Kushan Empire: The 1st and the 3rd centuries CE where the Kushans controlled KP and played functions in boosting up Silk Road business and also advancements of Buddhism.

Medieval Period:

•  Arrival of Islam: The Arab Muslims invasion of the 7 the century brought to the region a new religion, Islam. From the tenth century it was with the Muslim rulers such as Mahmud of Ghazi who started his forays into the Indian sub continent from here.
• Delhi Sultanate: During the medieval Delhi Sultanate period the present-day KP section received rule from both Grids and Tughlaqs rulers.
  
• Mughal Empire: However, during the sixteenth century the Mughals captured the region and establishments including Peshawar were already active trade and civilization centers.Since this area exhibited tribal characteristics it operated under partial control thus rejecting Mughal royal authority intermittently.

Modern History:

•   Durrani Empire: In the mid, of 18th century, Ahmad Shah Durrani the founder of modern Afghanistan sullied KP into his empire. During this period, however, it is possible to distinguish somewhat more Pashtun tribal influence more clearly.
• Sikh Rule: In the 19th century the Sikhs under Ranjit Singh annexed the land and the area then falling in the Sikh kingdom. The Sikhs therefore faced stiff Rexel from the Pashtun Tribes.
• British Rule: all the Sikh Confederacy had collapsed in the First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-1846) but the British officially annexed it in 1849. They established North West Frontier Province (NWFP) in 1901 on an occasion the Russians invaded British India. I would like to point out that Pashtun tribes that the British had to negotiate with were as far from being dependent as possible and they put a great deal of effort in resisting the British.
• The Khyber Pass was basically a regional hub during this period. NWFP which is now known as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa became a part of Pakistan when British left India in 1947 during the referendum most of the population of the province preferred to join the new country. In the subsequent decades after the independence, KP had offered terrific political and intense cultural active in the country and it was rated into his empire. The phenomenon of Pashtun tribal domination began in this period.

History:

• Ancient Period: KP was a region of Gandhari civilization the place of Buddhism and art. It felt the impact of such empire as Achaemenids, Greeks (Alexander), and Maura.
• Medieval Period: The region has its own history of Islamic invasion, and has been a part of Afghanistan under the Durrani kingdom and then was occupied by Sikhs in the nineteenth century.
• British Era: It was known as the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) after 1901 during the British regime. Some of the tribes of pashtoon also failed to accept the dominance of British exploitation.
• Post-Independence: As formed after the partition of India in 1947 through the referendum NWFP was changed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2010 due to its rich Pashtun population.

Tourist Attractions:

• Khyber Pass: A trail that has been used over time in the transportation of goods with beautiful natural display.
  • Swat Valley: Verdant pitches, water figures and archaeological worth.
  • Kaghan and Naran Valleys: Prevalent temporary flights.
• Malam Jabba: The best skiing resort of Pakistan.
• Takht-i-Bahi: A Buddhist monastic ruins which has been listed as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Significance:

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has an important status in cultural, historical, and economic map of Pakistan. Due to its culture, its people, and natural beauty KP is one of the most progressive and colourful provinces of the country. Even today people from different part of the world visit this place, to explore the history and adventurous experience.