Gor Khatri

Gor Khatri is an archaeological site in Peshawar which includes a square shaped compound that has been excavated and researched. In the early 16th century, Jahanara Begum, daughter of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, built a pavilion at the ancient site, and converted the site into a caravanserai, and named it Sarai Jahanabad. She also constructed a Jama Masjid, a sauna bath and two wells inside Sarai Jahanabad for the convenience of travelers. The Sikhs converted the site into the residence and official headquarters of their mercenary general Paolo Avitabile who was governor of Peshawar from 1838–1842. They constructed a Hindu temple for Shiva there. Prof. S.M. Jaffar, in his book "Peshawar: Past and Present", identified it with the place of Hindu pilgrimage where they performed the Sardukahr ritual (shaving off heads). Between the 1917 till 2002, Gor Khatri was used as a police headquarters and fire brigade station. == Compound ==

Gor khatri is a 160x160 square meter compound located in the south-east side of Peshawar, Pakistan. It includes two prominent gateways, the Goraknath Temple at the center, and a network of cells and buildings in the southern and western side of the complex. ==Excavations ==

Dr. Farzand Ali Durrani initiated the first vertical excavations at Gor Guthrree in 1992-93 but his excavation work could not be completed due to lack of funds. However, he confirmed the city foundation went back to at least the 3rd Century BC. The second round of excavations carried on until 2007 in the north eastern aspect of Gorkhatri pushed Peshawar's age by another couple of centuries, officially making it the oldest living city in South Asia. ==Gallery==

File:Gorkhatree Tehsil gate.JPG|Entryway to the site as viewed from the site's park File:Gorakhnath Temple inside.jpg|Hindu temple at the site File:Gorakhnath Temple in Peshawar Old City, Pakistan.jpg|Goraknath Temple Peshawar File:Old Firebrigade in Gorkhatree, Peshawar.jpg|Old fire brigade File:Gorkhatree_Entrance_Gate.jpg|Closeup of Gorkhatri's entryway File:Avitable Plaque in Gorkhatree.jpg|Plaque marking the former residence of Sikh-era General Paolo Avitable == References ==