Peshawar is considered to be one of the oldest cities in South Asia, and is believed to be home to 7,000-year-old civilizations .
According to folklore, Peshawar and the surrounding area was once known as “Pashkalavati”, which is named after “Pashkal”, the son of “Bharat”, the king of Ramayana.
However, there is no definite opinion about this yet. According to authentic history, the common name of the area was Parashpura (City of Humans) which deteriorated into Peshawar. For a short period in the 2nd century AD, the Tochari tribe of Central Asia, the Kushans, captured Peshawar and made it their capital.
After that from 170 to 159 BC, this region was ruled by the Greek Bactrian kings and after that various kings of the Greek kingdom of Hind continued to rule this city. According to a historian, Peshawar had a population of about 120,000 in 100 AD and was then the 7th largest city in the world in terms of population. Later it was occupied by Parthian, Indo-Parthian, Iranian and then Kushan rulers.
The Kushan ruler Kanishka became king around 127 AD, shifting his capital from Pashkalavati (now Charsadda) to Parashpura (now Peshawar). From the 2nd century AD, Buddhist monks, Zoroastrians, Hindus and spiritualists came to Peshawar to consult the Kushan rulers of the Zoroastrian religion.
Influenced by their teachings, the Kushan rulers converted to Buddhism, and Buddhism gained official status in the city. Following in the footsteps of the rulers, Peshawar became an important center of Buddhist teachings while the majority of the population followed Zoroastrianism .
As a devout Buddhist priest, Kanishka built the world’s tallest building at that time, a Buddhist stupa and a collection of Buddhist relics. The stupa was built outside the Ganj Gate of old Peshawar. The earliest tradition of this stupa is found in the writings of a Chinese tourist and monk, Fahyan, who came here in 400 AD. According to him, the height of the stupa was more than 40 changs, ie about 120 meters, and all kinds of precious stones were attached to it. According to Fahian, the Kanishka Stupa was far more beautiful and stronger than all the temples and stupas he had ever seen. Lightning struck and destroyed the stupa, which was repaired several times. The stupa is mentioned until the arrival of Hyun Sang in 634 AD.
The Buddha relics, which were kept in a jeweled basket, were excavated in 1909 by Dr. DB Spooner from an underground room in the middle of the stupa.There are ancient trees in the city of Peshawar that are attributed to Buddhism. Near people Mandi peshawar there is an old poplar tree .
It is said that King Kanishka used to stand under this tree and teach Buddhism to the people.
There is also a tree near Gurghatri Tehsil in Peshawar which is attributed to the stupa of Gautama Buddha. It is said that a branch was brought here from there and then its branches were planted in Tehsil Gurghatri and Peepal Mandi too.
Where it still exists today. there is also a tradition about another tree, the banyan tree, which is known to be the grandson of the tree under which Gautama Buddha attained Nirvana.
But this tradition is also just another one famous among public and there is no historical reference to it.
However, if researched, the authenticity of these traditions may be revealed . these traditions have been passed down from generation to generation in Peshawar.
Historical references prove that these trees are about two thousand years old and their unique historical status is to some extent. Several times in Peshawar, foreigners and local people were seen coming to research the historical significance of these trees .
Peshawar still has numerous Buddhist monuments and historical secrets that are slowly disappearing over time. On this issue, there is a need for the United Nation Organisation to work with Pakistan government to take all necessary steps to preserve this historic treasure so that it can be preserved for future generations.
Only a thorough study of Buddhist monuments in Peshawar can reveal the secrets of the past.
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