A group of Pashtuns, Jalalabad, Afghanistan, 1878 (c)

 

Via Farrukh Husain (@silkroad.booksandphotos)

Via National Army Museum. From an album of photographs by Lt Col C A Mercer.

Nagara Gundi, Jalalabad Valley, Afghanistan, 1881

 

Nagara Gundi, Jalalabad Valley, Afghanistan, 1881. By William Simpson. Source

Wheat market, Peshawar city, 1900 (c)

 

History of Gor Khatri of Peshawar city

Gor Khuttree is an important monument in the old city of Peshawar. It can be either appraoched from Chowk Yadgar or from Hastnagari Gate. In ancient times it was a Buddhist establishment which later assumed a Hindu character. The earliest account of the site is given by Babur. Both Akbar and Jahangir regard it as a place of jogis (Hindu saints who believe in quiet meditiation). It had become a place of Hindu pilgrimage and its fame had reached far and wide. In the year 1640 AD Jahan Ara Begum, daughter of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, converted the site into Serai Jahanabad and built also a Jami Masjid and a Hammam. During the days of Sikhs the mosque was destroyed, and a temple of Gorakhnath was built on its site. 

Gor Kattri, Peshawar city, 1910 (c). Photo by R.B.Holmes. 

Lord Curzon arrival at Gor Khatri, Peshawar, to receive the address from Municipality of Peshawar city, 1902. Photo by W.D.Holmes.

Hindu ascentics at Gor Khatri in Peshawar, 16th century. A folio from an Illustrated manuscript of Baburnama, ca.1592.

A group of Afridi tribesmen, Jamrud fort and the seasonal stream in the background, 1878

A group of Afridi tribesmen ; Jamrud fort, British military encampment and the seasonal stream in the background, 1878. Source

Photo by John Burke.

Original caption: "Jamrood fort and camp from right bank of Khyber stream, looking towards Mohmund hills"

Photo of the Westland Wapiti J9390 brought down by the Pashtun snipers in Waziristan, 1937 (c)

 Photo of the Westland Wapiti J9390 brought down by the Pashtun snipers in Waziristan, 1937 (c)

Source

Group of Afridis and other Pashtuns, Khyber Pass

 

Recommended Books

Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, 1962

 

Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, 1962. Via Dr.Nafees Ur Rehman. Source

Portraits of Amir Dost Muhammad Khan Barakzai, by Abdul Ghafur Breshna

 

Source

Portrait of Ghazi Wazir Akbar Khan, by Abdul Ghafur Breshna

 

Source

Recommended Books

Handwritten manuscript of Misri Khan Gigyani ’s Diwan, written in 1762

Handwritten manuscript of Misri Khan Gigyani’s Diwan –written by Gul Muhammad Peshaweri on the request of Sahibzada Mian Muhammadi Sahib in 1762 A.D.

”بحسب فرمائش حضرت صاحبزاده مشفق قدردان تکیه گاہِ نیازمندان میاں محمدی جیو طال عمرہ نسخہ متبر کہ دیوان مصری از دست احقر العباد گل محمد پشاوری بتاریخ (۱۱۷۶ھ) بالخیر والظفر باتمام رسید۔“

 

 

 

Courtesy  @tufailA77 on twitter

Sher Shah Sur also built a serai (an inn) in Makkah

It is widely known that Sher Shah Suri built hundreds of serais in India for the comfort of travelers in the 16th century. However, few people are aware that Sher Shah also constructed a serai in Mecca. This information is derived from Zubdat al-Tawarikh by Shaikh Nurul Haq Delhvi, penned during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Shaikh Nurul Haq's grandfather, Shaikh Rizqullah Mushtaqi (born in 1495 AD), witnessed the reigns of Sikandar Lodi, Ibrahim Lodi, Babar, Humayun, Sher Shah Sur, Islam Shah Sur, and others, providing firsthand knowledge of Sher Shah Sur.

The author of Zubdat al-Tawarikh writes that Sher Shah Suri constructed a serai in Makkah which served as an abode for Afghan (Pashtun) faqirs (mendicants) during his era (early 17th century). It seems Sher Shah established the serai to accommodate Pashtun pilgrims. Nearly two centuries after Sher Shah's death, Ahmad Shah Durrani also built a serai in Makkah for Pashtun pilgrims, known as Rabat al Sulaimani to the Arabs. Rabat means serai in Arabic, and Sulaimani was the term by which Pashtuns were known among Arabs. Rabat al Sulaimani was demolished by Saudis in 20th century. 1

 

Related posts:

• Sher Shah Sur's devotion to the welfare of his subjects
• Roads and Sarais (inns) of Sher Shah Suri

 

Biography of Rahman Baba (Abdur Rahman Mohmand)

Abdur Rahman Baba belonged to the Baezai division of the Mohmand tribe. He lived in the village of Hazar Khani in the tappa of Mohmands. Despite his learning, he lived the life of a darvesh, absorbed in religious contemplation and detached from worldly affairs. He is said to have been fond of hearing Qawalis like the Chishtiya school of thought.

In time, Rahman Baba began composing poetry and odes. Known for his emotional depth, he was often found in tears, which became so frequent that wounds appeared on his cheeks. His seclusion led to rumors from envious clerics, who accused him of heresy for avoiding congregational prayers. Eventually, at the urging of his friends, he agreed to join mosque prayers while maintaining his spiritual retreat.

Rahman Baba distributed poems to friends, who compiled them into a diwan after his death. Some verses mistakenly attributed to him were later removed, ensuring the authenticity of his collection.

Some historians claimed Rahman Baba debated poetry with Khushal Khan Khattak, but evidence suggests otherwise. While their lives overlapped briefly, Rahman Baba was closer in age to Afzal Khan, Khushal’s grandson. A key proof lies in Rahman Baba’s long poem on the tragic deaths of Gul Khan and Jamal Khan in 1711—25 years after Khushal’s death.

Rahman Baba’s descendants on his daughter’s side still reside in Deh-i-Bahadur, Mohmand territory, while the male line has become extinct. His tomb remains in his native village’s graveyard.

Source: "History of the Pathans", by Haroon Rashid, Vol-2, pp.461-462.

Hazrat Ilyas and Hazrat Khizr beside a pond, with Rahman Baba praying in the foreground. From a richly illustrated manuscript of his diwan, Kashmir, 1798. Source

A folio from an illustrated diwan of Rahman Baba, Rampur Raza Library. Source