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Kapoor Haveli is the ancestral home of the Kapoor film family in Peshawar, built between 1918 and 1922 by Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor, the father of Prithviraj Kapoor; his grandson Raj Kapoor was born there in 1924. It stands in the Dhaki Munawar Shah neighbourhood of the old city near Qissa Khwani Bazaar. It is closed to the public and in a dangerous state of disrepair, and part of it collapsed on 3 April 2026, so you can see it only from the lane outside.
This guide covers who built the house, what it was once like, its current condition, and why it is not, and should not be, part of a walking route through the old city.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Dhaki Munawar Shah, near Qissa Khwani Bazaar, old Peshawar |
| Built | 1918 to 1922 |
| Built by | Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor, grandfather of actor Raj Kapoor |
| Born here | Raj Kapoor (1924) and his uncle Trilok Kapoor |
| Status | Declared national heritage in 2016; owned by the KP government since 2021; closed and structurally unsafe |
| Recent damage | Part of the house collapsed after rain and an earthquake on 3 April 2026 |
| Visiting | View from the lane only; do not enter |
Who built the house, and why it matters
Kapoor Haveli was built between 1918 and 1922 by Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor, the father of the actor Prithviraj Kapoor and grandfather of Raj Kapoor, the Indian actor and filmmaker regarded as one of the founding figures of Bollywood. A wooden slab inside the entrance records the building dates. Raj Kapoor was born in the house in 1924, as was Prithviraj's younger brother Trilok. At around 40 rooms, it was reportedly the tallest building in the Dhaki Munawar Shah neighbourhood at the time it was built, a mark of the family's standing in the old city. It is shorter now: its owners took down the top three storeys some two decades ago after an earthquake cracked the upper floors.
Like the Sethi houses elsewhere in the old city, it was decorated with detailed floral carving and jharokas, the projecting carved balconies typical of grand houses of the period, and it stood as one of the finer examples of that style of merchant and professional-class architecture in Peshawar.
What has happened to it
The house left Kapoor family ownership after 1947, was auctioned in 1968 and passed through private owners, and has stood largely unused and unmaintained for decades since. It was declared a national heritage site in 2016, along with the nearby Dilip Kumar house, but the designation came without the money or maintenance needed to preserve the structure.
In January 2021 the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government approved about PKR 24 million to buy both houses (Dawn), and Dawn reported in June 2021 that it had taken possession of them, with a plan to turn them into museums. In July 2025 more than PKR 30 million was reported approved for their conservation. Little of that work is visible on the ground.
Years of heavy rain weakened the structure further, and on the night of 3 April 2026 part of the house collapsed after heavy rain and an earthquake; no one was hurt. In May 2026 heritage campaigners warned that both the Kapoor and Dilip Kumar houses could collapse at any time, with partly fallen roofs and deep cracks in the walls, and said that little visible restoration had taken place.
Can you visit?
No. The building is not open to the public, and even if access were permitted, going inside would be genuinely dangerous given its structural condition. What visitors can do is walk past it in the lanes near Qissa Khwani and see the exterior, including what remains of its carved facade, from the street.
Do not attempt to enter, and be aware that the surrounding structure could shed debris without warning. Treat it as a building to look at from a safe distance, not a site to explore.
Getting there
Kapoor Haveli sits in the lanes of Dhaki Munawar Shah, close to Qissa Khwani Bazaar, in the heart of the old city. Some reports place it in Dhakki Nalbandi, the neighbouring lane, which is one more reason to ask locally rather than rely on a pin. It is not signposted for tourists and is best found by asking locally or going with someone who knows the old city, since the lanes here are narrow and easy to lose track of. It is walking distance from the main stops on the old city route.
Our Qissa Khwani Bazaar guide covers the bazaar it opens off, and our old Peshawar walking tour covers the main heritage sights of the old city in order; Kapoor Haveli is a short detour from that route rather than a planned stop on it, given its condition.
Is it worth seeking out?
For anyone with a specific interest in Bollywood history or the fate of Peshawar's grand old houses, yes, as a short and sobering detour: a reminder of how much of the old city's finest architecture has been lost to neglect rather than conflict or demolition. It is not a conventional sight, and there is little to see beyond a crumbling facade behind a barrier.
If restored buildings and real access matter more to your visit, spend the time instead at Sethi House, a comparable merchant mansion of the same era that has been properly conserved and that you can walk through.
Frequently asked questions
Can you go inside Kapoor Haveli in Peshawar?
No. The building is closed to the public and structurally unsafe; part of it collapsed in April 2026. Visitors can only view it from the lane outside.
Who was born in Kapoor Haveli?
Actor and filmmaker Raj Kapoor, regarded as one of the founding figures of Bollywood, was born in the house, which his grandfather Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor built between 1918 and 1922.
Who owns Kapoor Haveli now?
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, which approved money to buy it and the Dilip Kumar house in January 2021 and took possession that June, according to Dawn.
Is Kapoor Haveli being restored?
Funds for conservation were reported approved in July 2025, but by May 2026 heritage campaigners said little visible work had been done, and both buildings remain in a dangerous condition after the partial collapse of April 2026.
Where is Kapoor Haveli in Peshawar?
In the Dhaki Munawar Shah neighbourhood of the old city, close to Qissa Khwani Bazaar, in the lanes rather than on a main road.
Is it safe to walk to Kapoor Haveli?
The surrounding lanes are part of the everyday old city and busy with local life, but the building itself is structurally unsafe and should only be viewed from a distance. More broadly, the UK government advises against all travel to Peshawar, including the city. On 12 October 2026 the authorities imposed Section 144, banning rallies, in Peshawar and several other districts during political protests. Pakistani visitors still come to the old city, but check local news and police advice before you go, and overseas visitors should know their own government's advice may say not to go, which can void travel insurance. See our guide on whether Peshawar is safe.