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The Qissa Khawani Bazaar or the romantic 'Street of Story-tellers' extends from west to east in the heart of the city of Peshawar. General Evitable was the Italian mercenary who was appointed the Governor of Peshawar by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He is credited with building the bazaar into its present shape in the early nineteenth century.
The cosmopolitan character of Qissa Khawani Bazaar is lined with its traditional kehwa khanas, Tikka, Chapli Kabab and dry fruit shops along with modern show rooms of leather ware and bright colored garments.
In days gone by, the bazaar was the site of camping ground for caravans and military adventures. The professional storytellers recited ballads and tales of war and love to mobs of traders and soldiers. Today the storytellers and the art of story telling have gone but the atmosphere of the bazaar is still the same. Bearded tribesmen bargain with city traders over endless cups of green tea. People from everywhere visit the crowded street. Afghans, Iraqis, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Afridis, and Shinwaris move around with ease and grace in their colorful native robes.
In the mid-l9th century, the British Commissioner in Peshawar Sir Herbert Edwardes described the Qissa Khawani (Story-tellers) Bazaar as 'the Piccadilly of Central Asia'. The professional storytellers treated the visiting travelers or the relaxing townsmen in the evening inside many teashops. Hence the name Qissa Khawani (story telling). The teashops still adorn the front of the with their large brass samovars and numerous hanging teapots and teacups, though the legendary storytellers are nowhere to be seen. The narrow buildings with intricately carved balconies and window frames enclosing wooden shutters can be seen looming behind the streets. Many cheap hotels of Peshawar can be found here. The food stalls selling excellent kebabs and fry-ups are set up in the evenings. Meat is sold by weight and then cooked for you while you watch it being cooked in front of you.
Brass and copper shops are lined in the street to the left (northwest) at the end of Qissa Khawani Bazaar. You can find a wide range of new and old wares. The Peshawar Pottery is down a side street on the left, immediately next to the brass shops. The wide range of ornamental and utilitarian pottery is on display in strong earthen colors. Tinsmiths work in the street leading to the pottery, using traditional methods to coat brass pots with tin to prevent the brass from poisoning food.
The tourist still knows it as the best-known Bazaar of the city. Afghan refugees who came to Peshawar as a result of Soviet occupation have added yet another dimension in the character of the city in general and to this bazaar in particular where they can be seen doing business from exchanging money to selling Kehwa.
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