Kotla Mohsin Khan is a three-storey fortified gateway on Kohat Road, on the south-west side of Peshawar, and the last standing part of a fortified residence said to have been founded in the second half of the 16th century by the Mughal mansabdar Arbab Mustajab Khan Momand. The Sikhs burned it when they took Peshawar in 1823, a descendant rebuilt it, and the rest of the compound survived until about 1970. Today only the gateway stands, cracked and little visited, in the neighbourhood that still carries its name.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Kohat Road, south-west Peshawar; also the name of the surrounding neighbourhood and union council |
| Founded | Second half of the 16th century, by tradition |
| Founder | Arbab Mustajab Khan Momand, a Mughal mansabdar |
| Named after | Arbab Mohsin Khan Momand, a later descendant |
| What survives | The three-storey gateway and, as reported in 2003, two domed tombs |
| Condition | Cracked and deteriorating (Dawn, 2015) |
| Protection | Listed as protected under the KP Antiquities Act 2016 in a 2020 federal survey |
| Hours and fee | None published; it is not run as a visitor site |
What is Kotla Mohsin Khan?
A kotla is a small fortified residence, the walled seat of a local chief. Kotla Mohsin Khan was the fort and home of the Arbab family of the Momand tribe, who held land and authority around Peshawar under the Mughals. It was built on a high mound and originally covered about 10 hectares.
The name now refers to three things: the old gateway, the neighbourhood that grew up around it, and the local union council. Ask for "Kotla Mohsin Khan" in Peshawar and you may be directed to the area rather than the monument, so ask specifically for the old darwaza.
Who built Kotla Mohsin Khan?
By local tradition, the Kotla was founded in the later 16th century by Arbab Mustajab Khan Momand, a mansabdar, or ranked official, of the Mughal state. The founding is said to have taken place in the presence of two of the best-known religious figures of the region, Kaka Sahib (Sheikh Rahmkar) and Akhund Darweza. That detail is a legend rather than a record.
From the Kotla, Arbab Mustajab settled tribal disputes, especially among the Ghori Khel tribes living around the city. Later the residence took the name of one of his descendants, Arbab Mohsin Khan Momand, and the name stuck.
What stories are attached to it?
Several, and they are worth knowing as stories rather than settled history.
- Mazaullah Khan Momand, a 17th century Sufi poet who wrote in classical Pashto, is said to have lived at the Kotla.
- Khushal Khan Khattak, the Pashtun warrior poet, is said to have sheltered here when he was fleeing arrest by the Emperor Aurangzeb, according to accounts reported by Dawn.
- Nadir Shah of Persia, whose invasion ended Mughal rule in Peshawar, is said to have come to the Kotla, where the last Mughal governor, Nawab Nasir Khan, handed him the key of the city. The commonly told version places this in 1741, while Nadir Shah's capture of Peshawar is usually dated to 1738, so treat the details with care.
What happened to the Kotla under the Sikhs?
When the Sikh army occupied Peshawar in 1823, it set fire to the Kotla gateway. Abdul Karim Khan, another descendant of Arbab Mustajab, rebuilt it, and the gateway you see today is essentially that rebuilding rather than the 16th century original.
The wider fortified residence lasted much longer. According to the family, its remains were largely intact until 1970; after that the compound was lost to the growth of the city, and only the gateway was left.
What survives today?
The gateway is a three-storey structure. The second floor has small rooms and a compound, and the third floor has guard posts and two more rooms. A heritage tour in 2003 also noted two domed tombs at the site, and visitors who climbed the gateway then had a view across the Peshawar valley to the hills.
Its condition is poor. In 2015 Dawn reported visible cracks in the walls and quoted the owner, Arbab Haleem Khan, saying the family wanted it restored as a heritage site. A 2020 survey by the Federal Department of Archaeology and Museums lists it as protected under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Antiquities Act 2016 and owned by the provincial government. We have not found any report of restoration work since.
How do you see Kotla Mohsin Khan?
There are no visiting hours, no ticket and no signage, and the gateway sits among homes. What you can reasonably expect is a look from the street; going inside or up the gateway depends on finding someone with the key and the owner's permission.
- Take a ride-hailing car or rickshaw and ask for the old gateway at Kotla Mohsin Khan on Kohat Road.
- Look and photograph from the public road. Ask before photographing houses or people, and do not go into private compounds uninvited.
- If you want to go inside, ask politely in the neighbourhood. Accept a no.
The easiest way to fit it in is with the south side of the old city. The road to Kohat once left the walled city at Kohati Gate, where All Saints Church stands, so it makes sense to see the two in one trip and then walk into the bazaars with our old Peshawar walking tour. For how the Mughal, Durrani and Sikh periods fit together, see our history of Peshawar.
Is it safe, and is it worth it?
The UK government advises against all travel to Peshawar (advice updated 22 September 2026), and against all travel to Kohat, further down the same road, where the Police Lines bombing of 18 September killed 23. Pakistani visitors still come to Peshawar every day; keep this to a daytime stop, check local news first, and do not carry on south along Kohat Road towards Darra Adam Khel and Kohat without current local advice. Overseas visitors should read their own government's advice, which can affect insurance. Our guide to whether Peshawar is safe has the details.
Kotla Mohsin Khan is for history readers and people who have already seen the main sights. It is a single, neglected gateway, not a fort to explore, and first-time visitors will get more from the walled city, Bala Hisar and the museum. If old Peshawar's lesser-known corners appeal, it is a short and rewarding detour. More ideas are on our experiences page.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kotla Mohsin Khan?
On Kohat Road, on the south-west side of Peshawar city. The surrounding neighbourhood and union council share the name.
Who founded Kotla Mohsin Khan?
By tradition, Arbab Mustajab Khan Momand, a Mughal mansabdar, in the second half of the 16th century. It was later named after his descendant Arbab Mohsin Khan Momand.
Who burned Kotla Mohsin Khan?
The Sikhs set fire to the gateway when they occupied Peshawar in 1823. It was rebuilt by Abdul Karim Khan, a descendant of the founder.
Can you go inside Kotla Mohsin Khan?
There are no public opening hours. You can see the gateway from the road; going inside depends on permission from the people who hold it.
