Bab-e-Khyber

Khyber Pass at Jamrud, Peshawar

The Iconic Khyber Gateway to the Khyber Hills

Bab-e-Khyber is a monumental gateway located on Jamrud Road at the eastern entrance of the historic Khyber Pass in Khyber District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This iconic structure marks the beginning of the ancient route that winds through the Khyber Mountains toward the Torkham border. The road from the gateway leads directly to the Khyber Pass, reaching its highest point at Landi Kotal. Near this point, the ancient Buddhist Sphola Stupa is situated across from the modern village of Zarai. The monument stands near Jamrud Fort, a structure originally built by the Sikhs in 1836 to control the strategic entrance of the pass. The Bab-e-Khyber has since become one of the most recognized symbols of the Khyber region and the North West Frontier, and it is also featured on the ten-rupee currency note of Pakistan.

History of Bab e Khyber on a plaque

Bus at Khyber Gateway going towards Peshawar

The Khyber Pass has played a pivotal role in the history of the Indian subcontinent. Throughout the centuries, it served as a critical corridor for countless invaders, traders, and travelers who crossed into the plains of the subcontinent from Central Asia. In 1526, the Mughal emperor Babur traversed the Khyber Pass on his way from Kabul to confront the Lodhis at the Battle of Panipat. During Emperor Akbar's reign, a road was constructed through the pass in 1586 under the supervision of engineer Qasim Khan, marking the first formal attempt to ease passage through the mountainous terrain. In 1836, the Sikh Empire sought to close the route by erecting the Jamrud Fort; however, they suffered the loss of General Hari Singh Nalwa in the ensuing Battle of Jamrud in 1837. Under British rule, the road was further improved and a permanent motorable route was developed. Subsequently, the British also laid down a railway line that passed through multiple tunnels and extended to Landi Kotal, enhancing accessibility through the treacherous terrain. The full stretch of the Khyber Pass extends from Jamrud to Torkham, underscoring its long-standing strategic importance.

The concept for constructing Bab-e-Khyber emerged when G.A. Madani, CSP, assumed charge as Commissioner of the Peshawar Division and first visited the area. He envisioned a formal gateway at the entrance to the Khyber Pass and proposed the idea to Mr. Sarfaraz Khan, the Political Agent of the then Khyber Agency. Alongside the gateway, Commissioner Madani also suggested building a “history wall” to visually narrate the past of the Khyber Pass for visitors. To accommodate official ceremonies and visiting dignitaries, a platform was built opposite the wall. The construction of the gateway was overseen personally by the Commissioner and Political Agent, and locally sourced materials from the Khyber Hills were used for the project. It took approximately four months to complete the gateway. A plaque on the structure commemorates its inauguration, stating: “The opening ceremony of Bab-e-Khyber was performed by Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan, President of Pakistan, on 11 June 1963.”

The monument’s significance was further highlighted during the Afghan War from 1979 to 1988, when thousands of Afghan refugees crossed the Khyber Pass into Pakistan through this route. The symbolic value of Bab-e-Khyber was amplified not only by its historical location but also due to the enduring presence of Jamrud Fort adjacent to it. The foundation of Jamrud Fort had been laid by Sikh General Hari Singh Nalwa on 6th Poh 1893 Vikram Samvat (1836) and named “Fattehgarh.” The fort was conceived as a strategic stronghold to guard against invasions through the pass. The construction of Bab-e-Khyber thus complemented this legacy, reinforcing the geopolitical and cultural importance of the gateway as both a historical marker and a contemporary monument.