Islamia College Peshawar: A Legacy of Education and Architectural Heritage
Islamia College Peshawar, a historic institution in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, stands as a testament to the vision of its founders and the enduring legacy of education in the region. From its establishment in the early 20th century to its role in shaping the cultural and political landscape of Pakistan, the college has remained a symbol of academic excellence and architectural grandeur.
Founding and Early Years
In the early 20th century, the North-Western Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) faced a scarcity of educational opportunities. To address this need, eminent leaders such as Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan and Sir George Roos Keppel spearheaded the establishment of Islamia College Peshawar. Their initiative aimed to provide quality education and create a center of excellence in the region.
The foundation stone of the Islamia Collegiate School and mosque was laid in 1911 by Maulana Fazal Wahid, also known as Haji Sahib of Turangzai, a renowned religious scholar and freedom fighter. In the same year, Sir George Roos Keppel laid the foundation stone of the college building itself. The construction, which began on an expansive area of 916 kanals and 17 marlas, received significant financial support from various benefactors. Sethi Karim Bakhsh, a prominent businessman, contributed Rs. 50,000, while Abdul Karim Khan and Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan donated Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 1,000 respectively.
By October 1913, the college building was completed and officially inaugurated. The Islamia Collegiate School had already commenced operations in March 1913, and the college followed suit six months later. Initially, the college had a modest staff of ten faculty members, one clerk, one accountant, and two hostels named Qayum Manzil and Hardinge. Sahibzada Khurshid Khan, who later became Governor of NWFP, was the first student to be admitted. Mr. L. Tipping was appointed as the first principal, with Allama Inayatullah Mashraqi serving as vice principal.
Transformation into a University
The aspiration to elevate Islamia College into a university was realized in 1949 when Chief Minister Khan Abdul Qaiyum Khan initiated the process of upgrading the institution. In 1950, Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan laid the foundation stone for the University of Peshawar. Initially, the university operated from the Agriculture Department building before expanding into new buildings to accommodate its growing functions. The University of Peshawar was established in the city in 1950, and augmented by the amalgamation of nearby British-era institutions into the university.
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Quaid-e-Azam's Endorsement
Islamia College holds a special place in the political and cultural memory of Pakistan, largely due to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's association with the institution. Jinnah visited the college on three occasions-1936, 1945, and 1948. During his last visit on 12 April 1948, he addressed the students, acknowledging their crucial role in the movement for Pakistan. He remarked, “I am very happy to be present here today and to have the privilege of addressing the students of this great Darul Uloom, who are the future builders of Pakistan… May I say that you played your part magnificently.”
Jinnah's connection with the college extended beyond his visits. In 1936, he became a lifelong honorary member of the Khyber Union of Islamia College Peshawar. Furthermore, in 1939, he made the college one of the heirs to his property. The Quaid Trust subsequently paid Rs.
Architectural Grandeur
Islamia College Peshawar is renowned for its architectural significance, standing as one of the most remarkable specimens in Pakistan. The college's architectural style is rooted in the Indo-Saracenic Revival style, also known as the Neo-Mughal style. This hybrid style was promoted by the British in colonial India to convey imperial authority while incorporating regional cultural expressions.
The Indo-Saracenic style combines elements from Mughal, Sultanate, and Rajput architecture with Victorian and Edwardian features. The main building of Islamia College features a symmetrical layout, dominated by a tall clock tower at its center. The base of the tower is adorned with four open chhatris-domed kiosks in the Mughal style-adding vertical emphasis to the composition.
The building’s domes are bulbous and set atop drums, crowned with lotus-finial spires, reminiscent of Mughal tomb architecture. Octagonal and square turrets emerge at the corners of the primary structure and its adjoining wings, evoking the image of Mughal minarets. The façade features recessed blind arches, ornamental pilasters, and decorative parapets that provide visual depth and rhythm. Lattice screens (jaalis) are used within window openings and archways, continuing the Mughal aesthetic of filtered light and privacy.
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Constructed of brick, the exterior walls provide both strength and thermal insulation suitable for the region's climate. The building houses classrooms, administrative offices, and a hall named after Sir George Roos-Keppel. The teaching and administrative spaces are located to the south of the main building, while residential quarters for faculty and staff are positioned to the north. A large open ground extends in front of the principal structure, used by students for sports and recreation. Adjacent to the college is its white-plastered mosque, featuring three prominent domes.
Islamia College Peshawar's spatial composition and stylistic synthesis reflect the larger narrative of Indo-Saracenic architecture-an attempt to bridge colonial and local identities through built form.
The "Sir Syed of the Frontier"
Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum, often referred to as the “Sir Syed of the Frontier,” played a pivotal role in the founding of Islamia College in 1913. Inspired by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's vision, his efforts were aimed at establishing a center of educational excellence in the region. Today, the building of Islamia College is not only a symbol of educational achievement but also a national icon, featured on the Rs.
Peshawar: A Historical Context
Peshawar, the capital and largest city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, boasts a rich history dating back to at least the 6th century BC. Situated in the Valley of Peshawar, east of the Khyber Pass, it has been a significant cultural, political, and economic center for centuries.
In ancient times, Peshawar was a principal city of Gandhara and served as the capital of the Kushan Empire under Kanishka the Great in the 2nd century CE. Following the Ghaznavids' conquest in 1001 CE, various Muslim empires ruled the city. During the Mughal Empire, it was an important trading center, and later, it served as the winter capital of the Durrani Empire from 1776 until the Sikh Empire captured it in 1823.
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The East India Company captured Peshawar in 1849, making it part of British India. In 1901, it became the capital of the North-West Frontier Province. The city's strategic location at the entrance to the Khyber Pass has historically linked its economic importance to trade between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
Peshawar's Climate
Peshawar experiences a hot semi-arid climate, characterized by very hot summers and mild to cool winters. The summer months, from mid-May to mid-September, see mean maximum temperatures surpassing 40 °C (104 °F). Winter starts in November and ends in late March, with rainfall occurring in both seasons. The city is not a monsoon region, but it receives higher winter rainfall due to western disturbances.
Challenges and Developments in Peshawar
Like much of northwest Pakistan, Peshawar has faced challenges due to violence, including attacks by the Tehrik-i-Taliban. However, efforts such as Operation Zarb-e-Azb have helped reduce acts of violence.
In recent years, Peshawar has seen developments in its infrastructure and economy. The government has introduced a rapid bus service called BRT Peshawar to improve public transportation. The city has also been recognized for its efforts in creating an ecosystem for entrepreneurship and technology.
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