Nowshera
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Nowshera (Pashto: نوښار) (Urdu: نوشہرہ) - 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[1] and lies on the Grand Trunk Road 27 miles due east of Peshawar[2] at 34°0'55N 71°58'29E[3].
Nowshera city is notable for its colonial era Cantonment, which is located at 33°59'48N 72°0'47E[4] 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.
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[edit] 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:[2]
| “ | The cantonment stretches along the right bank of the Kabul river on a sandy plain, 3 miles in diameter, and is surrounded by low hills on all sides except the north, which is open towards the river. The garrison now consists of one British infantry regiment, two Native cavalry and four infantry regiments, a mountain battery, and a bearer corps, belonging to the Peshawar division of the Northern Command. The Kabul river is crossed by a permanent bridge of boats, whence roads lead to Mardan and Charsadda. The iron road and railway bridge across the river was opened on December 1, 1903. The village of Naushahra Khurd, west of the cantonment, and the large village of Naushahra Kalān, on the north bank of the Kabul, are both outside cantonment limits. The head-quarters of the Naushahra tahsīl, with the police station, are in the former, 3 miles from the cantonment. The town contains a Government dispensary and a vernacular middle school, maintained by the District board. | ” |
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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] References
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