PESHAWAR, Dec 23: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Durrani inaugurated on Tuesday an Islamic gallery set up by the provincial Directorate of Archaeology and Museums at the Peshawar Museum.
The gallery houses ancient manuscripts, paintings and monuments belonging to 16-19th century. About 30 copies of Quranic manuscripts and 62 illustrated books in Persian and Arabic languages have been put on display.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Durrani said the government would provide full support to the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums for the promotion and preservation of our cultural heritage.
The Peshawar Museum was established in 1906. During the colonial period it had only one main Victoria Hall. The eastern and western galleries were added to the building in 1973.
The dress worn by Syed Ahmed Shaheed at the time of his martyrdom drew the attention of many.
Along with calligraphic pieces, paintings of the Mughal era and multi-coloured paintings of Omar Khayyam had also been displayed.
“Eastern gallery is already being used as an ethnological gallery and the western gallery would be used as an Islamic gallery showcasing items of the Islamic period,” an official at the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums told Dawn.
“Earlier, only ancient manuscripts and paintings along with some pieces of the Ghandhara art were put on display at the museum due to shortage of space, but now a separate gallery has been specified for the display of books, manuscripts, paintings and other objects of the Islamic era,” Director museums Ihsan Ali told Dawn.
He said the Iranian government had donated some calligraphic works and Persian pots to the museum.
The officials said some archaeological sites at Hund (Swabi) and Gor Khutthri (Peshawar) and Gomal valley were excavated recently where ancient pieces of Islamic period were discovered.
These pieces would also be displayed in the newly established Islamic gallery.
The officials said the museum had a large collection of items belonging to Ghandhara civilization and Islamic period but more galleries were needed to exhibit them.
Around 62 illustrated books, 30 Quranic manuscripts, 17 calligraphic specimen, 10 illustrated tiles and stones inscribed with poetry, two Mughal edicts and around 196 other items have been put on display at the gallery.