HISTORY OF NOWSHERA

Nowshera - known locally as "Now-khaar" or "Now-Shaar" is the chief city of Nowshera District in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. It is also one of the largest cities of the province and lies on the Grand Trunk Road 27 miles due east of Peshawar at 34°0'55N 71°58'29E
Nowshera city is notable for its colonial era Cantonment, which is located at 33°59'48N 72°0'47E and is home to the Pakistan Army "School of Artillery", School of ASC, ASC centre, Armour centre and School of Armour of Pakistan Army. The area comprises many Pakhtun tribes including the Badrashi Khattaks, Kakakhel Miangan and Babers. The GT Road is the main road connecting villages and towns across the District. It is also at the junction of Peshawar and Swat Road.
It is the only district of Pakistan with three Cantonments namely Nowshera Cantonment, Risalpur Cantonment and Cherat Cantonment. Nowshera district is spread over a large area with the Kabul River bisecting the district. Nowshera District also borders Punjab province.
The president of the MMA, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, a religious scholar and politician belongs to Nowshera.

History

During British rule, Nowshera was a town and cantonment as well as tehsil of Peshawar District (later Peshawar Division), the town was on the route of North-Western Railway. The population according to the 1901 census of India was 9,518.
The Imperial Gazetteer of India, describes the cantonment as follows:
Today, (30th March, 2008), Nowshera has many education institutions for both boys and girls that mainly include Government Degree College for boys and another for girls. Government Islamia Highy School No. 1 is a legendry source of eduction for Nowsherians.

Attractions

Kund Park is a park in the area, River Kabul and Abasin river flow its sidewise presenting a lovely view. Abasin is dark blue and people like diving and making fun around, it is after this park the two rivers combine but their water can still be distinguished!
Jinnah Park is a park, the river Kabul flows through it, it has a small zoo which nests some peacocks.
The Tomb of the famous Sikh Commander Phula Singh, now an object of pilgrimage to Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs alike, is also situated in Nowshera.

Sports

Cricket, hockey and football are widely played, the famous cricket ground is Garrison Ground, where people gather in evening to play cricket and football in small groups. Regular cricket matches are arranged particularly, on Sunday.