PESHAWAR: In the bustling heart of Peshawar, where traffic hums and concrete structures steadily expand, a centuries-old sanctuary has reclaimed its lost soul.

The historic Shahi Bagh, once a jewel of the Mughal era, is stirring back to life, rekindling memories, pride, and anticipation among residents as it undergoes an ambitious restoration.

Laid out by the Mughals and later nurtured by the Durrani rulers, Shahi Bagh was not just a garden but was a living canvas of nature, culture, and history. For generations, it offered shade, serenity, and a sense of belonging. Under the government’s Peshawar Revival Plan, that legacy is revived with renewed urgency and enhanced outlook.

As workers laid marble tiles around restored fountains and planted fresh saplings along winding pathways, the garden is once again becoming a place where stories of the past and the future meet.

“I grew up with this ancient garden,” said Riaz Khan, a 65-year-old retired PST teacher, his voice tinged with nostalgia as he stood near a newly restored walkway.

“We didn’t have fancy parks back then, but we had Shahi Bagh, and that was enough. It had everything: shade, laughter, and life.”

He paused, watching a group of children chasing each other across the lawn amid butterflies hovering over flowers. “I like the children chasing butterflies that come again,” he added softly.

They would hover over roses in such numbers that the garden felt alive in a way words can’t describe. We used to play hide and seek among the thick trees. Those moments shaped our childhood.

Over time, however, that vibrancy faded. Encroachments, unchecked construction, and neglect slowly ate into the garden’s vast expanse. Marriage halls, amusement facilities, and even parking areas replaced greenery, dimming its charm.

“It was painful to return after decades and find silence where there was once birdsong,” Riaz Khan said. “The trees had thinned, the flowers were gone, and the soul of the place seemed lost before rehabilitation.”

Yet, the current restoration effort has sparked cautious optimism.

“I am hopeful again,” he said, gesturing toward the ongoing work. “If they preserve its originality and remove all encroachments permanently, Shahi Bagh can once again become the pride of Peshawar.”

Officials overseeing the project echo this sentiment. The spokesperson for the Tourism and Archaeology Department emphasised the garden’s legal and cultural significance.

“Shahi Bagh is not just a recreational space; it is a protected national heritage,” he explained. “Any site over a hundred years old automatically falls under the Antiquities and National Heritage framework. This means its preservation is not optional; it is a responsibility.”

This is not a cosmetic upgrade, he said. “We are restoring history. In the first phase, we cleared over 120 kanals of encroached land. That alone was a major challenge, but necessary to reclaim the garden’s original identity.”

The spokesperson added that the total area has now expanded to over 200 kanals, with significant portions dedicated to public use, including a modern ladies’ park. The idea is to make this space inclusive, he explained. The new facilities, jogging tracks, gyms, and children’s play areas are designed to serve today’s needs while respecting historical integrity.

Walking through the park, the blend of old and new is visible. Marble-lined fountains shimmer under sunlight, newly planted trees promise future shade, and a two-kilometre soft jogging track invites both youth and elderly visitors.

For many residents, the revival is more than just urban development; rather, it is emotional restoration.

Today, as restoration efforts near completion, that legacy seems within reach once again. But for elders like Riaz Khan, the garden’s revival carries a deeper message. “A city without memory loses its identity,” he reflected. “Shahi Bagh is our memory. If we protect it, we protect ourselves.”

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2026