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Figure 23 Kotla Mohsin
3.6.2. Heritage
It is suggested to focus on at least one historical area for the conservation of heritage. We selected the following site of Kotla Mohsin Khan for this purpose.
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Figure 23 Kotla Mohsin Source: private album Of ex-bureaucrat Arbab Muhammad Akbar Khan, S/O Khan Bahadur Haji Arbab Ahmed Ali Jan Khan, taken by him on the 10th Of June 1958.
Historical Importance
The Kotla Mohsin Khan compound consists of two domed tombs, and a majestic gateway, located on Kohat Road, in the south-west of the city. Until the 1970s, the remains of the original haveli near the gate were present but have disappeared over time because of sheer negligence. The Fort (“kotla” literally means fortified residence) was built in the mid-16th century, by Arbab Mustajab Khan, a highly prominent representative of the Mughals, allegedly on the orders of Shah Jahan. As per legend, in 1642, two famous spiritual figures, Hazrath Kasteer Gull Kaka Sahib and Akhund Derwaza Baba, had also attended the foundation stone ceremony and offered blessings on the occasion. The building was initially named Kotla Mustajab Khan; however, it was later renamed as Kotla Mohsin Khan, during the Reign of Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1747, named after an influential descendant of Arbab Mustajab Khan. An alternate version of history, cited by Express Tribune, however, says that according to Ma’azullah Khan’s poetry, Kotla was constructed by Muhibullah Khan with a grant from Mughal emperor Shah Jehan. The building consists of three floors and was originally spread over 10 hectares. The second floor comprises small rooms and a compound while its third floor contains security posts along with two rooms. With a height of around 70 feet, the fort would have been a good watch-point to keep an eye over a vast area. The SCN provides a detailed description of the architecture: “As the main gate to the walled city of Peshawar, the importance of defending this point motivated its impregnable design. Two looming watchtowers flank the body of the gate, soaring four stories up and replete with gun slits and parapet walls to accommodate medieval sharp shooters, fortifying the citadel and protecting defenders. The lower story makes an imposing sight with an enormous central arch with false arches to either side and above, decorated with Mughal fretwork.”
Moreover, it is said that the balconies of the gateway housed major jirgas in the region; Arbab Mustajab Khan Khan himself would sit here and the people would gather for settlement of disputes, particularly of the local Ghori Khel tribe (SCN; Fast News; DAWN). It also has historical significance owing to its association with the renowned and beloved Pashto poet, Khushal Khan Khattak. It is said that Khushal Baba spent a few days in the Kotla Mohsin Khan, as a detainee guest, during the time that Arbab Mustajab Khan, his close friend, negotiated with the Mughals to prevent them from arresting the rebellious poet. It was also said to be the residence of Arbab Maazullah Khan, another renowned 17th -century poet. Another significant association is that of the “Roshnai” period – a populist, non-sectarian resistance movement by the Afghan tribes, against the Mughals, that begun here in the mid-16th century, led by Pir Rokhan. The minarets of the structure are said to be constructed by one of the leaders of this movement, Allah Dad Roshani or Rashid Khan, to conduct judicial duties. Lastly, one of the most important historical events associated with this building was the transfer of the key of the Peshawar city, from the last Mughal Governor Nawab Nasir Khan to the Afghan King Nadir Shah; this signaled the end of the Mughal hold over the region (SCN; Tareekh-e-Landi Arbab). The building was burned down, in the 1830s, during the Sikh siege of Peshawar. It was later reconstructed, along the same pattern, by one of the descendants of Arbab Mustajab Khan, Arbab Karim Khan.
There is a complex of tombs nearby as well. As per rumors, one of the tombs contains the grave of Pir Rokhan’s grandson Abdul Qadir Khan. Beyond this speculation, however, there is not much known about the tombs. SCN also details the physical description of the tombs:
