Early history of kohat is mists some where in remote past. Even kohat is not mentioned by the early Chinese travelers in their historical account i.e. Hien Tsang (6th C AD) and Fa-Heiun, who visited and wrote about Gandhara in ancient time. The story of early man in Kohat started from “Makhad” area, a small village on Kohat Rawalpindi road, where Dr. Salim discovered some stone tools, assigned to the “Middle Stone Age” dated from 10000 to 8000 years before present time. So far we can say that Kohat is almost 10000 years old city.

Strategically kohat is sandwich between two most famous civilizations of the world; to its further south is the culturally fertile land of Gomal valley, from where the world’s 3rd ancient civilization emerged( 5000 years old), the famous Indus valley civilization( dated 2600 BC to 1900 BC). Evidences are clearly visible from Archaeological sites of i.e. Rehman Dheri , Gumla, Jundi Baber and Golgai kot in D I Khan, while Sheri Khan Tarakai in Bannu. Indus Valley Civilization or Harrapan Civilization is famous for its advance town planning, streets cutting each other at 90°, systematic drainage and for brick construction. Coming to the north east of kohat: the area is known for Gandhara Buddhist art. Buddhism flourished and reached to its Climax during Kushan period, in Gandhara.

Gandhara (mean the land of fragrance) is the ancient name of the Peshawar valley, situated between the Suleiman Mountains along the Afghanistan border in the west and the Indus river in the east. The term Gandhara is, however often used in a broader sense to refer to what might be called “Greater Gandhara”, comprising, besides Gandhara proper, several neighboring regions, particularly Swat and other river valleys to the north, the region around the great city of Taxila to the east, and the eastern edge of Afghanistan to the west. These and later on other, more distant regions as well, came under the cultural influence of Gandhara proper such as Kohat. in the period with which we are concerned, namely, the first few centuries before and after the beginning of the Christian era, mainly as a result of being incorporated into the several Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian, Indo-Parthian, and Kushan empires that were centered in Gandhara proper.

Three great waves of migration and invasion from central Asia that fundamentally shaped the history of the Indian world passed through the gateway of Gandhara: first, the Indo-Aryan immigrations in, probably, the second millennium BC, next the conquest by the Bactrian Greeks, Scythian, Kushan, and associated ethnic groups around the beginning of the Christian era; and finally the series of Afghan, Turkish, and Mongol incursions.

As kohat is surrounded by mountains, so because of these natural guards some how kohat was not part of Gandhara, the Buddhist center of the time. Though Buddhist remains can be seen in Kohat and its out skirts which means this valley was influenced by the Buddhist Gandhara art. Evidences are Aa’d Samood in Muhammad Zai village, which is situated on Kohat Hangu road, dated to late Buddhist period. Apart from that Buddhsit remains can be seen in Bonna Sharif at Jungle Khel and another Buddhsit Stupa at Raisan on Hangu road.

Archaeologically the area is less known and explored so far. Sir Aurel Stien (from British Army) was the first one who visited Kohat in 1904, he says about that area “offers among its rugged and arid hills far too little of cultivated a large populated or to have been the seat of a rich and flourishing community such as historical records and ancient remains alike attest for the great fertile valleys of Peshawar and swat to the north of it”.

In the historical record Kohat was mentioned for the first time by the first Mughal king Babar in his “Babar Nama” who conquered kohat in 1505 AD.
Kohat remained under the Durrani dynasty in 1747 AD, Sikh defeated them in 1834 and got control of the area.

Prof. Farid Khan (Farmer Chairman Department of Archaeology, University of Peshawar) in 1994 conducted Archaeological survey and discovered 20 new sites, in 2000 Prof. Dr. Taj Ali and Qazi Naeem work on Durrani Graves near Tandha Dame.

Recently Professor Dr. Ihsan Ali, then Director of Archaeology and Museums, NWFP (now Vice Chancellor Hazara University Mansehra), who is the world known Scholar conducted Archaeological survey of District Kohat in 2004 and discovered some 77 sites.

I am very thankful to kohatonline.com, by giving me the opportunity to highlight the rich cultural heritage of Kohat, which personally I think will generate interest in the cultural heritage of Kohat among the public at the local level. A greater appreciation and respect for ancient remains and history would be developed. It will also result in creating a sense of pride among the people for Kohat’s historicity, antiquity and cultural identity.

I hope propose short introduction about Kohat Archaeology will inevitably lead to the development of tourism in Kohat. Increased contacts of the people with those of other regions of Pakistan and outside world would through Kohatonline.com. At the end an appreciation and respect will generate for the land and people of Kohat, both ancient and modern.