Qissa Khwani Bazaar, meaning "Storytellers’ Market," is one of the oldest and most iconic streets of old Peshawar.

Located near Kabuli Gate, the bazaar has historically served as a vital junction for traders, travelers, and storytellers arriving through the Khyber Pass.

It became famous for its qahwa khanas, or traditional tea houses, where people would sit, share stories, and exchange news.

These tea houses fostered a rich oral storytelling culture that gave the market its name.

The bazaar also gained political significance when British colonial forces massacred peaceful Khudai Khidmatgar protestors here on 23 April 1930.

The Imperial Gazetteer of 1908 described Qissa Khwani as a wide, picturesque street entered through the Kabul Gate, lined with double rows of shops and upper lodgings.

Some of the structures in the bazaar date back to the early 20th century, such as the Islamia Kutub Khana marked 1930.

The restored buildings and signage now mark this street as part of Peshawar’s official heritage trail.

Qissa Khwani runs west to east, connecting the Kabuli Gate to a chowk that leads toward Chowk Yadgar, Cunningham Clock Tower, and Sethi Muhalla.

Today, it stands as a vibrant historical and commercial space, preserving both memory and tradition.