Taxila gate and city of Peshawar (N.W.F.P.); camels in foreground - 20 March 1879

Water-colour painting of the Taxila gate and city of Peshawar in the North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan by Charles J. Cramer-Roberts (1834-1895), 20 March 1879. Inscribed on the front in ink is: 'Taxila Gate. City of Peshawur from Fort-with commissariat camel sheds and pens. C.J.C.R. 20/3/79.'

Peshawar, meaning ‘Frontier town’, is situated at the head of the Khyber Pass, a major trade route and traditional gateway for invaders into South Asia. The city flourished as a regional capital under the Mughals; they planted trees, laid out gardens and built forts and mosques. After the decline of the Mughals, the Durranis of Afghanistan gained a firm hold of Peshawar for a time, before being driven out by the Sikh Empire of Ranjit Singh. Eventually the British, extending their empire to the north and west, finally brought the city under their control. The Old City was originally completely encircled by a wall with 16 gates.

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