Chowk Yadgar, "Memorial Square", is a busy junction in the middle of Peshawar's walled city where several roads and bazaars meet. It began as a British memorial to Colonel C. Hastings, was rebuilt more than once, and is now a dome-shaped monument linked in local memory to the victims of the Qissa Khwani massacre of 1930. It is open public space with no ticket or opening hours, and the main thing to see here is the city moving around it.
This guide covers its history, what surrounds it, and how to fit it into a walk through the old city.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| What it is | A monument and public square in Peshawar's walled city |
| Original name | Hastings Memorial |
| Entry and hours | Open public space; no ticket or hours that we could find |
| Surroundings | Jewellers' street to the west, the clock tower to the east, the shawl market to the south |
| Best combined with | A walking tour of the old city |
History of Chowk Yadgar
The square was first known as the Hastings Memorial, put up to honour Colonel C. Hastings of the British army. Sources give different dates: Wikipedia says 1883, while another source gives 1892. Neither is easy to check, so treat the date as uncertain.
The memorial changed with the politics of the city. Reports say that in 1969 the square was dedicated to the heroes of the 1965 war with India, the old monument was demolished, and a concrete arch about 100 feet tall was built. That arch was later demolished too, and in the early 1990s it was replaced by the present dome-shaped structure, which stands above an underground road connection.
The link to the 1930 massacre
Today the monument is remembered as a memorial to the Qissa Khwani massacre. On 23 April 1930, British troops fired on unarmed protesters in the nearby Qissa Khwani Bazaar. Closer estimates suggest about 230 people were killed and more than 500 injured. Our Qissa Khwani Bazaar guide describes the bazaar itself, and our history of Peshawar puts the event in context.
What is around Chowk Yadgar
The square sits where several important routes meet:
- To the west, a street of jewellers running from Naz Cinema Road
- To the east, the road toward the Ghanta Ghar, Peshawar's clock tower, covered in our Cunningham Clock Tower guide
- To the south, the shawl market
Wikipedia also notes that the area is a centre of the hawala money-transfer trade, which is one reason it is crowded with traders. Don't photograph transactions or people doing business.
How to visit
There is nothing to enter. Walk to the square as part of a route through the old city, look at the monument, and move on. It is a working traffic junction, so expect noise, crowds, motorbikes and rickshaws, and be careful when crossing.
The easiest way to include it is on the route in our old Peshawar walking tour, which connects the bazaars, mosques and the wider Andar Shehr. Going earlier in the day usually means fewer people and less traffic, though we have no verified figures on crowds. We found no verified hours or visiting rules for the monument itself, so the market rhythm around it sets the day.
Is it safe to visit?
The UK government advises against all travel to Peshawar. In 2026 there have been serious attacks on police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including in September at Kohat, and the old city's bazaars have been targeted in earlier years. Foreign-passport holders should check their own government's advice, since it can void insurance.
Pakistani visitors do walk through the old city. Check local news and current police advice before going, avoid the busiest hours and public gatherings, and keep your plans flexible. Our Peshawar safety guide has more.
Is it worth a stop?
If you are already in the walled city, yes: it takes minutes, and the story behind the monument explains a lot about Peshawar's place in the independence movement. On its own it is not a reason to make the trip. For other ideas, see our experiences page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chowk Yadgar?
A monument and public square in the heart of Peshawar's walled city, where several roads and bazaars meet.
Who was the Hastings Memorial for?
Colonel C. Hastings of the British army. The date it was built is given as 1883 by one source and 1892 by another.
Is Chowk Yadgar connected to the Qissa Khwani massacre?
Yes, it is remembered as a memorial to the victims of the 1930 Qissa Khwani Bazaar massacre.
Are there timings or a ticket for Chowk Yadgar?
It is an open public square, and we found no ticket or set hours.
What is near Chowk Yadgar?
The jewellers' street, the clock tower and the shawl market are all close by.
