Sarai Alamgir Explained

Sarai Alamgir
Settlement Type:City
Pushpin Map:Pakistan
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Pakistan
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Pakistan
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Punjab
Subdivision Type2:Division
Subdivision Name2:Gujrat
Subdivision Type3:District
Subdivision Name3:Gujrat
Subdivision Type4:Towns
Subdivision Name4:4
Subdivision Type5:Union councils
Subdivision Name5:7
Leader Title:Nazim
Leader Title1:Naib nazim
Population Total:350, 288 (estimated as per March 2016).
Coordinates:32.9°N 118°W
Timezone:PKT
Utc Offset:+5
Timezone Dst:PDT
Utc Offset Dst:+6
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:50000

Sarai Alamgir ({{nq|سرائے عالمگیر, Urdu: سرائے عالمگیر) is the main town of Sarai Alamgir Tehsil, located in the Gujrat district in the north of the Punjab, a province of Pakistan. Sarai Alamgir is one of four tehsils of Gujrat district.[1] [2]

The Sarai Alamgir town was mainly founded by the mughal emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir. That's why the name of town was given Sarai Alamgir which means Sarai of Alamgir because this place was used as "Sarai" (rest place) by the army of Aurangzeb Alamgir. The town also gains strategic importance that time due to its position at Grand Trunk Road.[3]

Sarai Alamgir covers 575sqkm on the eastern bank of the Jhelum River, across from the larger town of Jhelum. East of the town is the Upper Jhelum Canal. Sarai Alamgir was raised to the level of Municipal Committee in 1976. After the implementation of Punjab Local Government Ordinance 2001, it was given the status of Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA).

Geography and climate

Sarai is located at (32.900000, 73.750000); it lies at 232m (761feet) above sea level. The municipality has a moderate climate. During the summer, temperatures can reach 45°C for short periods. Winter months are mild, temperatures rarely falling below 1°C. Sarai Alamgir 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.[1] [4]

History

In ancient history, the region participated in the Indus Valley civilization and the Gandhara civilization. At a later date, the Battle of the Hydaspes took place nearby, between the armies of Alexander the Great and the Great King Porus.[5] In the past, people of influence would build a Sarai, which would be caravan stations and rest houses for travelers. A typical Sarai would consist of a drinking well, a praying area and a resting place for people.

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.[6]

Administration

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.

Surrounding important places

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.[7]

Boundaries

Sarai Alamgir city has these cities in its surrounding areas:

West

Jhelum

East

Kharian

North

Mirpur, Azad Kashmir

South

Rasul

Union councils

Sarai Alamgir Tehsil consists of nine union councils that, along with their respective populations in 1998, are:

Communications

The nearest international airports are at Islamabad and Sialkot, about 127km (79miles) and 90km (60miles) away, respectively.[8] 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.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sarai Alamgir. 8 June 2016. dead. Tehsil Municipal Administration Sarai Alamgir, Government of the Punjab website . https://web.archive.org/web/20160608152758/http://www.tmasaraialamgir.com/ . 21 January 2023.
  2. https://www.brecorder.com/news/40163215 PML-N's 'long march' begins from Lahore's Model Town
  3. Web site: TMA Sarai Alamgir website . December 20, 2023 . (Tehsil Municipal Administration, Sarai Alamgir Tehsil official website).
  4. http://www.maplandia.com/pakistan/punjab/jhelum/sarai-alamgir/ Detailed satellite map of Sarai Alamgir and its nearby places
  5. https://www.livius.org/articles/battle/hydaspes/?, Battle between Alexander the Great and King Porus near Sarai Alamgir and Jhelum area
  6. (Irfan Shareef) Sarai Alamgir The Nation (newspaper), Published 9 April 2021, Retrieved 20 January 2023
  7. https://nation.com.pk/islamabad/03-Jun-2013/renovated-rohtas-fort-to-boost-tourism Rohtas Fort article on The Nation (newspaper)
  8. https://www.islamabadairport.com.pk/ Nearest Islamabad International Airport on Civil Aviation Authority website