GRAND TRUNK ROAD (GT ROAD)
The Grand Trunk Road, often abbreviated as GT Road, is one of Asia’s most ancient and enduring highways, with a legacy stretching back over 2,500 years. Historically known by various names such as Uttarapath, Sadak-e-Azam, Shah Rah-e-Azam, and Badshahi Sadak, it has served as a vital link between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Spanning approximately 3,655 kilometers, the road begins in Teknaf, Bangladesh, near the Myanmar border, and extends westward to Kabul, Afghanistan, passing through key cities like Dhaka, Kolkata, Delhi, Lahore, and Peshawar. Its origins trace back to the Mauryan Empire, where Emperor Chandragupta Maurya developed it as a strategic trade route inspired by the Persian Royal Road. Enhancements by Emperor Ashoka included rest houses, wells, and tree-lined paths for travelers.
In the 16th century, Sher Shah Suri realigned and expanded the road, adding infrastructure such as sarais, kos minars, and baolis. The Mughals continued this legacy, with Emperor Jahangir mandating brick-and-stone sarais and building bridges and gardens along the route. During British colonial rule, the road underwent significant modernization between 1833 and 1860. Today, the Grand Trunk Road remains a crucial transportation corridor, integrated into national highway networks across India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, and continues to facilitate trade, travel, and cultural exchange across South Asia.
🏛️ Historical Background
Ancient Origins (circa 3rd century BCE)
- One of the oldest roads in Asia, originally known as “Uttarapatha”, meaning Northern Road.
- Used during the Maurya Empire (especially under Emperor Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka) to connect the eastern and western parts of the Indian subcontinent.
- Functioned as a vital trade and communication route linking Pataliputra (modern-day Patna) to Takshashila (Taxila).
Medieval Period – Sher Shah Suri (16th century CE)
- Sher Shah Suri, the Afghan ruler of northern India (founder of the Sur Empire), renovated and expanded the road in the 1540s.
- Rebuilt the road from Sonargaon (Bangladesh) to Attock (now in Pakistan).
- Standardized the road with:
- Milestones (Kos Minars)
- Shaded trees
- Rest houses (sarais)
- Wells and water tanks
- Introduced patrolling and road maintenance — a form of early infrastructure governance.
British Colonial Period
- The British upgraded the GT Road in the 19th century as part of their colonial infrastructure project.
- Became a vital military and administrative route.
- Integrated into the trunk road system of India under British rule.
🌍 Economic and Cultural Significance
- Trade Route: Historically vital for transporting silk, spices, textiles, and other goods across Asia.
- Cultural Exchange: Facilitated the movement of people, ideas, languages, and religions (like Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism).
- Military Importance: Used by conquerors such as the Mughals, British, and Afghans to move troops and supplies.
- Urban Development: Many cities along the GT Road flourished due to the movement of people and trade.
Modern Route:
The road passes through:
- Bangladesh: Teknaf, Chittagong, Dhaka
- India: Kolkata, Kanpur, Agra, Delhi, Amritsar
- Pakistan: Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar
- Afghanistan: Kabul (via Jalalabad and Torkham)
🏛️ Historical Background:
1. Ancient Times (Pre-Mauryan to Mauryan Era):
- Originally known as Uttarapatha or the Northern Road, it was an ancient trade route linking eastern India to Central Asia.
- Chandragupta Maurya developed a major highway along this route, inspired by Persia’s Royal Road.
- Ashoka improved it by planting trees, digging wells, and building rest houses.
- The route connected cities like Taxila, Patliputra, and Tamralipta.
2. Suri & Mughal Periods:
- In the 16th century, Sher Shah Suri rebuilt and expanded the road, renaming it Sadak-e-Azam.
- He built sarais (inns) at intervals, planted trees, and installed milestones (kos minars).
- His son added more sarais.
- The Mughals, especially Jahangir, continued its development, building permanent sarais, planting trees, and constructing bridges.
- The road was known as Badshahi Sadak during the Mughal era.
3. British Period (1830s–1860s):
- The British reconstructed the road, calling it the Grand Trunk Road, and made it a metalled (paved) road for administrative and trade purposes.
- It cost around £1,000 per mile to build.
- It became a symbol of movement, trade, and colonial infrastructure, as famously described in works by Rudyard Kipling.
A chart of the Grand Trunk (GT) Road
| Alternate names | Uttarapath, Sadak-e-Azam, Shah Rah-e-Azam, Badshahi Sadak, Long Walk |
| Length | Approx. 3,655 km (2,271 mi) |
| History | The road evolved from an ancient route before the 3rd century BCE, with significant improvements made by various rulers throughout history. |
| Cultural significance | The GT Road has been important for trade, communication, and cultural exchange for centuries, and is mentioned in literature like Rudyard Kipling’s Kim. |
| Ends | The road runs from Teknaf, Bangladesh in the east to Kabul, Afghanistan in the west. |
| Countries traversed | Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan |
| Important cities | Major cities along the route include Chittagong and Dhaka in Bangladesh; Kolkata, Varanasi, Delhi, and Amritsar in India; Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar in Pakistan; and Jalalabad and Kabul in Afghanistan. |
| Corresponding highways | The GT Road is integrated into the national highway systems of the countries it passes through. For a detailed list of corresponding highways |
| Modern status | The route is still in use today, with many sections modernized. |
| Points of interest | Historical sites and landmarks such as Rohtas Fort, Attock Fort, and the Golden Temple are located along the road. |
🌐 Post-Independence (Modern Use):
🇮🇳 In India:
- GT Road forms part of modern National Highways (NH) such as NH 19, NH 44, NH 27, NH 3, etc.
- A section from Kolkata to Amritsar follows GT Road’s historical route. It also visits cities of india delhi, agra, Kanpur ,Allahabad, prayagri and Varanasi.
- It continues to be vital for commerce, transport, and politics (e.g., the “GT Road belt” in Haryana during elections).
- India has proposed sites along the GT Road for UNESCO World Heritage status (2015).
🇵🇰 In Pakistan:
- GT Road corresponds with National Highway N-5, running from Wagah (near Lahore) to Peshawar and onward to the Khyber Pass, including cities like islamabad, rawalpindi,Gujranwala, Jhelum, attock, Nowshera, mardan, ghazi, Taxila, and terminates near at landi kotal.
- It’s part of the Asian Highway Network (AH1) to Kabul and Ghazni.
- The Pakistani government is upgrading N-5 into a uniform three-lane highway.
🇧🇩 In Bangladesh:
- The road stretches from Teknaf to Rajshahi, connecting to India at the Purnea border.
- It runs via national highways like N1, N4, N6, and others.
In Afghanistan:
- The road extends to Kabul via the Khyber Pass — a key geopolitical point even today.
- Part of Asian Highway Network (AH1)
📏 Distance Guide (Approximate):
- Teknaf to Kolkata : 778 km
- Kolkata to Delhi : 1,562 km
- Delhi to Wagah Border : 462 km
- Wagah to Kabul : 853 km
📌 Significance:
- Served as a lifeline for trade, communication, and military movement over centuries.
- Continues to be an economic and cultural artery in South Asia.
- Symbolizes historical continuity, connecting ancient, medieval, colonial, and modern eras.
The Modern Significance of GT Road in Pakistan
Fast forward to today, and GT Road continues to hold immense importance in Pakistan. It connects major cities like Lahore, Gujranwala, Islamabad, and Peshawar, acting as the backbone of the country’s transportation and logistics network. It’s estimated that over 80% of Pakistan’s cargo is transported via GT Road, making it an economic powerhouse.
The road also plays a pivotal role in tourism. It passes through several historical sites, including the Shalimar Gardens in Lahore, the Rohtas Fort, and the Khyber Pass, attracting both domestic and international visitors.
But GT Road isn’t just about the past. It’s about the future. The Pakistani government has recognized the road’s potential and has initiated several projects to upgrade and expand it. This includes widening the road, constructing new interchanges, and improving the overall infrastructure.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion dollar infrastructure project, has also breathed new life into GT Road. The project aims to improve connectivity between Pakistan and China, and GT Road is a crucial part of this initiative.
