Sethi House

Sethi House, Main Courtyard

Woodwork of Sethi House

The Sethi Muhalla is located within the Walled City of Peshawar near Bazaar-e-Kalan. It lies on the eastern side of Chowk Yadgar and Cunningham Clock Tower, with the Gor Khatri archaeological complex situated further east. The muhalla is situated along Bazar Kalan Road and forms part of the Cultural Heritage Trail of Peshawar. It comprises a cluster of elaborately built houses and a mosque belonging to the Sethi family, a prominent mercantile community of the city.

The Sethis were a wealthy business class whose trade extended across the Indo-Subcontinent, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. Originating from Chamkani about six generations ago, the Sethi family established a commercial base in Peshawar and developed extensive trade networks that reached into India, Iran, Central Asia, Russia, and China. Using Peshawar as their operational center, they set up trade offices in several cities across these regions. According to Ahmad Hassan Dani, the Sethi family also issued hundis—traditional credit instruments—for financial transactions in Afghanistan, particularly for British employees. The name “Sethi” is derived from the Sanskrit word Sreshthin, historically referring to the head of a merchant class. The community's success was reflected in the construction of their residential architecture, which continues to stand as a testament to their affluence and cultural influence.

Decorative Woodwork in Sethi House

Main courtyard of Sethi House, Peshawar

Between 1800 and 1910, the Sethi family constructed approximately twelve havelis in the muhalla, ranging from modest residences to grand architectural complexes. These include the Muhammad Akram House, Karam Buksh Sethi Haveli, Fateh Gul Sethi Haveli, Ahmad Gul Sethi Haveli, Elahi Buksh Sethi Haveli, Haji Saeed Ahmed Sethi Haveli, Karim Buksh Sethi Haveli, Abdur Rahim Sethi Haveli, the Haveli of Fateh Gul’s Grandson, Abdur Karim Sethi Haveli, Fateh Gul Family Haveli, and Abdul Jalil Sethi Haveli. A small bridge in the muhalla connects two of these havelis, indicating architectural continuity across properties.

The earliest surviving haveli is the Karam Buksh Sethi Haveli, constructed in 1808, followed by the Fateh Gul Haveli in 1818. These served dual purposes as family residences and commercial offices. The second phase of construction, spanning the 1820s to 1840s, saw the establishment of the Ahmad Gul Sethi Haveli and Elahi Buksh Sethi Haveli. The third phase, from 1880 to 1900, included the construction of the Karim Buksh Sethi and Abdur Rahim Sethi havelis. Among these, the haveli built by Karim Buksh Sethi in 1898 stands out as the most iconic. It was the largest residential complex in the muhalla—and in the city at the time—comprising three distinct sections: a zenana khana (women’s quarters), a daftar khana (office), and a mehman khana (guest area). The zenana portion was later separated and converted into an independent haveli in 1930 by Allah Buksh Sethi.

Architecturally, the Sethi havelis are distinguished by their elaborate woodwork and stylistic synthesis of Bukhara, Kashmiri, Persian, and Indo-Subcontinental influences. These structures incorporate finely detailed carvings, ventilated courtyards, and a spatial layout conducive to both family life and commercial activity. The mosque within Sethi Muhalla was also constructed by Karim Buksh Sethi, reinforcing his central role in shaping the built environment of the neighbourhood.

The Sethi House, one of the preserved havelis, currently serves as a heritage site and museum managed by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Samra Khan has conducted detailed research on the architectural and historical significance of Sethi Muhalla and its havelis, contributing to its recognition as one of the most culturally rich quarters of historic Peshawar.