Happy TravellerWelcome to Sarai Alamgir, a historic town located in the Gujrat district of the Punjab province in Pakistan. This charming town covers 575 km2 (222 sq mi) on the eastern bank of the Jhelum River, across from the larger town of Jhelum. Sarai Alamgir is one of four tehsils of Gujrat district and consists of nine union councils. The town has a moderate climate with temperatures reaching up to 45 °C (113 °F) during the summer and rarely falling below 1 °C (34 °F) in winter.
Sarai Alamgir has a rich history dating back to the Indus Valley civilization and the Gandhara civilization. The Battle of the Hydaspes, between the armies of Alexander the Great and the Great King Porus, took place nearby. In the past, people of influence would build a Sarai, which would be caravan stations and rest houses for travelers. The Sarai (rest area) at Sarai Alamgir was founded by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb because of its strategic location on the Grand Trunk Road and the Jhelum River, and its proximity to Kashmir. Over time, Sarai Alamgir developed into a central town for adjoining village populations.
Sarai Alamgir gained prominence when the King George V Royal Indian Military School was established on 3 March 1922. It was one of four such cadet schools in British India to benefit the sons of members of the Royal Indian Army. The college is now known as the Military College Jhelum and is one of the oldest institutions in Pakistan.
Sarai Alamgir is a historic crossroads between the ancient Grand Trunk Road and the Jhelum River. Nearby are the sites of the Battle of the Hydaspes, the historic and ancient Alexandrian city of Bukephala (or Bucephala) and the huge Rohtas Fort. The town is located south of Jhelum City, which lies across the Jhelum River. To the north of Sarai, cities are Mirpure and Bhimber. Mandi Bahauddin and Rasul are located to the south of Sarai Alamgir.
The Tehsil Municipal Administration is a corporate body and consists of the Tehsil Nazim, Tehsil Municipal Officer, four Tehsil Officers and other officials of the Local Council Service, and officials of the offices entrusted to the Tehsil Municipal Administration. A Tehsil Nazim is the head of Tehsil Municipal Administration and exercises all functions and powers assigned to him under the Ordinance. The Tehsil Municipal Officer acts as coordinating and administrative officer, in charge of the Tehsil Officers.
The nearest international airports are at Islamabad and Sialkot, about 127 km (79 mi) and 90 km (56 mi) away, respectively. There are other transport links to the town, including a railway station, the Grand Trunk Road, the Jhelum River and the Upper Jhelum Canal. Sarai Alamgir is located on GT Road (N5) and Pakistan’s main railway line. A highway connects it with Mandi Bahauddin, while the other one goes to Mirpur, Azad Kashmir. A Motorway interchange is also in the pipeline which will be completed by 2023.
