Which one of the following cities is nearest to the khyber pass?

Appeared in: UPPSC 2022

Explanation

Peshawar is the capital city of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan.
The Khyber Pass is a major mountain pass located within this same province, forming a border with Afghanistan.
Geographically, Peshawar is situated at the eastern mouth of the Khyber Pass, only about 50 kilometers (31 miles) away, making it the closest major city among the options.

Option A: Lahore is the capital of the Punjab province, located in eastern Pakistan near the border with India. It is several hundred kilometers southeast of the Khyber Pass.
Option C: Quetta is the capital of the Balochistan province, located in the southwestern part of Pakistan. It is geographically close to the Bolan Pass, another strategic mountain pass, but far from the Khyber Pass.
Option D: Taxila is an ancient city and important archaeological site in the Punjab province, located near Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. It is situated far to the east of the Khyber Pass.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Geographical proximity of major Pakistani cities to the Khyber Pass as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the geography of the Khyber Pass is crucial for comprehending the historical and strategic importance of the region in trade, migration, and military campaigns.
Peshawar's proximity to the pass has profoundly shaped its culture, economy, and strategic role as a gateway between Central and South Asia.
What if? If the question asked about the Bolan Pass, another critical route in the region, the nearest major city would be Quetta, not Peshawar.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key geographical feature in the question: the Khyber Pass.
Recall or determine the general location of the Khyber Pass, which is in the northwestern region of Pakistan, on the border with Afghanistan.
Consider the locations of the four cities provided in the options relative to northwestern Pakistan.
Recognize that Peshawar is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the very province where the pass is located, making it the most probable answer.
Eliminate the other cities based on their known locations: Lahore (eastern Punjab), Quetta (southwestern Balochistan), and Taxila (eastern Punjab).
Conclude that Peshawar is the nearest city due to its immediate proximity to the pass.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Geographical proximity of major Pakistani cities to the Khyber Pass.
Stem keywords: cities, nearest, Khyber Pass
Lead-in keywords: Which one
Negative lead-in flag: false

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