The Rundown

Every brick in Qissa Khwani Bazaar has a story to tell of travelers, tea, and timeless tales.

This bazaar is the place that one will never forget his or her first visit. The atmosphere is filled with the smell of cardamom and history. On wooden benches are old men as they drink qehwa and talk of what appears to be several centuries old. Qissa Khwani Bazaar is the very heart of the old Peshawar.

The name itself tells you everything. "Qissa Khwani" means the Bazaar of Storytellers (Heritage of Pakistan). Can you imagine that? Imagine a whole market dedicated to tales and trade. Today, it still holds that magic. You'll find culture and commerce walking hand in hand through its narrow lanes.

A Walk Through History

Let’s go back in time.

During the Mughal and Durrani eras, this bazaar was a major stop. Caravan travelers crossed mountains and deserts to reach here. They needed rest, needed tea, and they needed stories.

The qissa khwans came in. These narrators amused weary travelers with folklore, legends, and verse. Think of sitting on the stars and hearing the adventures of faraway countries. But Qissa Khwani has had her dark moments as well. It was a place of resistance during British colonial rule. Here, the protests against the empire took a tragic turn in 1930 when several people died. 

It was also a cultural crossroads here. It connected South Asia with Central Asia and Persia, and languages, goods, and ideas flowed through these streets.

Famous Landmarks Around Qissa Khwani

You can't talk about this bazaar without mentioning Bollywood.

Yes, you read that right. Dilip Kumar's ancestral house stands here. The legendary actor was born in Peshawar. His home is now a symbol of the city's cinematic heritage. Raj Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan also have family roots in this area. Peshawar gave Bollywood some of its brightest stars (The Tribune India, 2025).

Walk around and you'll notice the architecture. Wooden balconies hang over narrow lanes, and old tea houses still serve customers like they did a century ago. The bazaar sits close to Khyber Bazaar and Chowk Yadgar. If you check a Qissa Khwani Bazaar map, you'll see it's right in the heart of everything.

The Bazaar Today: Where Culture Meets Commerce

So what's it like now?

It is still alive, all right as the tea stands are full of people and the spice shops are fragrant and colored and the fabric stores are full of beautiful handwoven cloth. The past is represented by the antique merchants of the bazaar. The crowd exhibits diversity. 

You will find locals shopping their day out, students loitering about in chai dhabas, tourists roaming around with cameras, and heritage tourists doing the rounds.

And the food? The food is truly exceptional. The aroma of green tea and Kabli Pulao fills the air. It's impossible to walk through without getting hungry.

Culinary Heritage: The Taste of Qissa Khwani

Let's talk about the real star here, the food.

Kabli Pulao is a must-try. Its succulent rice simmer in delicate meat and carrots and raisins will tell a tale with every spoonful. Then there's kheer. The shops here are famous for it. They slow-cook it to perfection, which makes it creamy, sweet, and unforgettable.

And, of course, qehwa. This green tea is served everywhere. It's made with cardamom and sometimes saffron and you’ll see locals drinking it all day long.  There's even a Qissa Khwani restaurant inspired by the bazaar's name and flavors. If you love traditional Peshawar food, you'll feel at home here.

A Living Heritage of Storytelling

The storytelling tradition hasn't died. It's just changed form.

There are still older people telling local legends. Sitting in tea houses, they recite folk verses and old stories. Young people gather around, listening.

There's been a cultural revival too. Heritage walks are becoming popular. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department is working to preserve this legacy as they organize storytelling events and promote the bazaar.

We need more of this. Stories connect us to our roots.