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Kapoor Haveli is the ancestral home of actor Raj Kapoor, in the Dhaki Munawar Shah neighbourhood of Peshawar's old city near Qissa Khwani Bazaar. It is closed to the public, in a dangerous state of disrepair, and part of it partly collapsed in April 2026. You can see it only from the lane outside, and that is the extent of a visit.
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 |
| Status | Declared national heritage in 2016; closed and structurally unsafe |
| Recent damage | Part of a wall collapsed in 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 grandfather of Raj Kapoor, the Indian actor and filmmaker regarded as one of the founding figures of Bollywood. Raj Kapoor was born in this house before the family later moved to what became India. 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.
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 and has stood largely unused and unmaintained for decades since. The Pakistani government declared it a national heritage site in 2016, a designation meant to protect it, but it was not accompanied by the funding or maintenance needed to actually preserve the structure, and the building continued to deteriorate.
Years of heavy monsoon rain weakened the structure further, and in April 2026 a section of a wall collapsed after earthquake tremors shook the already fragile building. It joined the neighbouring ancestral home of actor Dilip Kumar, also in the old city, in being reported as close to structural failure. In July 2025 the provincial government had approved funding, reported at around PKR 33.8 million, for the restoration of both houses, but as of mid-2026 the restoration work had not visibly begun.
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. 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 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.
Is Kapoor Haveli being restored?
The provincial government approved funding for the restoration of Kapoor Haveli and the nearby Dilip Kumar house in July 2025, but as of 2026 the restoration work had not visibly started and both buildings remain in a dangerous condition.
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 currently advises against all travel to Peshawar; see our guide on whether Peshawar is safe before you plan a visit.