PESHAWAR(INP): “Gandahara — Da Pakthunkhwa Da Larghono Asaaro Nandara” is not just an ordinary history book. It is the first book in Pashto language about the antiquities and archaeology of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“The book tells the readers that a region, which has seen so much bloodshed in the name of religion, was once a land of peace,” says Daud Khattak, a journalist, who helped in compilation of the book. The book was launched here in Peshawar Museum on Wednesday afternoon.
The book is compiled by Khalid Khan Kheshgi, a journalist working for Mashal Radio. The book is a compilation of the radio programmes, titled “Tareekhpanry” (pages from history). It is consisted of 21 chapters with each chapter telling the story of one historical site in the province.
Not only the venue of the launch was significant as Peshawar Museum is a unique museum having rich and rare collection of Gandhara civilisation, the gathering was also a unique mix of writers, historians, researchers and journalists.
Each of 21 chapters of the books has information about one historical site of province
The journalists working for the radio delved deeper into the history and publish a detailed and well-researched Pashto language book on province’s antiquities including forts of Balahisar and Attock, old walls of the Peshawar city, Gor Khathree, historical places like Chowk Yadgar, Churchill’s Post (Picket), various old caves and old towns like Odigram or Barikot.
Daud Khattak writes in the preface of the book that the purpose publishing the book is to inform the young people about their own region, their ancestors and culture. The current scenario and problems in the region has kept the youth away from knowing about their own roots and history.
Mr Khattak writes that youth should know their history. The youth should know that this region, facing so much bloodshed in the name of religion, was once known in the world for religious tolerance and peace. He adds that reading about history should not mean living in the past and it should not stop them from finding new ways for a bright future on the basis of this knowledge.
Khalid Kheshgi says when he started working on the programmes he thought he would just consult one or two history books for the purpose but to his surprise there were not many books on the subject that could help him. He started meeting archaeologists and historians in the province to collect their views.
