| 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).
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]
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]
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.
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]
Sarai Alamgir city has these cities in its surrounding areas:
Sarai Alamgir Tehsil consists of nine union councils that, along with their respective populations in 1998, are:
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.