Peshawar emerged as a centre for both Hindko and Pashtun intellectuals during the British era . Hindko speakers , also referred to as '' Khaarian '' ( " city dwellers " in Pashto ) , were responsible for the dominant culture for most of the time that Peshawar was under British rule . Peshawar was also home to a non-violent resistance movement led by Ghaffar Khan , a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi . In April 1930 , Khan led a large group of Khan 's followers protested in Qissa Khawani Bazaar against discriminatory laws that had been enacted by the British rulers — hundreds were killed when British troops opened fire on the demonstrators
British troops opened fire on the demonstrators
Qissa Khwani Bazaar massacre
Peshawar