Christianity In Peshawar Essay

Christianity in Peshawar

Peshawar city is located on the edge of the Khyber Pass near Afghan border. Historically and culturally this city has a great importance and a unique fame due to its rich archeological wealth and buried treasures. The valley of Peshawar has been witness to many civilizations and religions. Numerous Buddhist statues and temples are found in this territory. Likewise, Greek culture and civilization have spots in this valley. From this land the Greek civilization spread to all the Indo-Pak sub-continent.

The oldest known name of Peshawar valley was Parshapura about 2500 BC and the first acknowledged civilization of this region is Aryan Civilization. The Aryan caravan came from Central Asia, passing through Kabul valley

The first team of this missionary was Dr. K.G. Pfander, Robert Clarke and Major Martin. This missionary had very close connection with British rulers and with high officials. In start it was mostly confined to high class people but later on it diverted to the depressed classes such as Chuhras in Punjab.

In 1853, Sir Herbert Edward, the British Commissioner of Peshawar, established the Edward Mission High School in Rethi Bazzar near Chowk Yadgar Peshawar. After some time of its establishment, the school was shifted to the historical building in Kohati gate. Before 1883, the old city native congregation worshipped in the nearby Edwards Mission School. Another place of worship in the old city was a small reading hall known as Anjuman under an ancient tree in Peepal Mandi where missionaries often preached the gospel to passing Afghans. Actual conversions by natives in this part of India were rare.

The Church Missionary Society (CMS) with the assistance of Sir Herbert Edwardes, established Edward’s College Peshawar in 1900 in the most beautiful part of the Peshawar Cantonment. During early days, the college was affiliated with the University of Punjab. In late 1950s, the College associated itself with the University of Peshawar for various