Khyber Pass, Peshawar

KOHAT PASS : Do not surprise, this place is a Tribal Gun Factories, whose fame has spread far and wide...about 40 Kilometers south of Peshawar in a small strip of tribal territory in the Kohat Pass.Here strange, fierce looking tribesman, their rosy complexions darkened by smoke, turn out hand made weapons including pistols, Riffles and Machineguns by primitive methods.

Peshawar is famous for its handicrafts and cottage industry products. Copper jars and cups, brass trays and samovars, bellied brass water jars and pots, Chitral daggers and tribal knives, exquisite ivory products and carved-wood pieces,rare rugs and carpets, silk scarves and Kashmir shawls. There is so much to buy and one buys so much. I promise to myself, I will buy on my way back to home....yes another 5 years to go !!

Shagai Fort is an imposing red fort.It was built by the British in the 1920s and is now manned by the Frontier Force.The Fort was an important base in the tribal zone of Pakistan.For many years it is the headquarters of the Khyber Rifles - the traditional guardians of the pass and it is stragically placed at the centre of the Kyber.

Bab-e-Khyber. The Khyber Gate was built in 1964, at the mouth of the Khyber Pass, where the Jamrud Fort is also located. Once way-out of the city, today Peshawar extends through the Hayatabad bazaar, that threatens to en-gulf the Bab-e-Khyber.
Bab-e-khyber has a great importance in the history.Great warriors, leaders of ancient history passed through its ways.

The most famous pass of the world, the Khyber Pass, is 16 km from Peshawar. It has been, throughout history, the most important gateway to the plains of the South Asian sub-continent both for migration and invasion. Starting from the foot-hills of the Suleiman Range at the Jamrud; 11 miles from Peshawar, it extends beyond the border of Pakistan at Torkham, 36 miles away and it gradually rises to an elevation of 1,066 meters above sea level. The pass is 1 ? km at its widest and only 16 meters at its narrowest.
It is not the view but the idea of the place that attracts so many people to the Khyber. The Khyber isn't at the border of Afghanistan but it stretches through the Suleiman Hills for miles on both sides. In Peshawar, you're in Government administered land. The area behind the Smuggler's bazar gives way to the Khyber Agency, one of the seven agencies which make up the Tribal areas. Signboards appear by the roadside warning motorist snot to wander off the main highway because in these Tribal areas, Pakistani Law gives way to Tribal law a few metres off the main road. Hence visitors must be accompanied with an armed escort at all times.

The pass itself is about 25 miles long.Khyber Pass has been a silent witness to countless events in the history of mankind. As one drives though the Pass at a leisurely pace, imagination unfolds pages of history.

Afghanistan from the Khyber Pass, would be off limits these days, I should think!!
What a marvellous engineering feat this was.Tunnels for trains, the winding road, and always a Fort on top. My husband's g/father was here in the 1890's.

On the way to the Khyber Pass. Typical scene, old forts, and walled houses, with lookouts. Several families live in these, and they come complete with gardens, where they grow veges or whatever they can in this dry place.

We had to get permission to go to the Khyber Pass, and had to have two armed guards on our small bus with us. We met some of their 'mates' also, and they allowed my husband ,Michael,to have a photo with one of their rifles!!Michael was in the Pakistani gear,he likes to get the feel of a culture!!