Sarai Alamgir

Sarai Alamgir

The River Jhelum and the bridge from Sarai Alamgir side
Sarai Alamgir

Location in Pakistan

Coordinates: 32°54′N 73°45′E / 32.900°N 73.750°ECoordinates: 32°54′N 73°45′E / 32.900°N 73.750°E
Country Pakistan
Region Punjab
District Gujrat District
Towns 4
Union councils 7
Population
 • Total 175, 288 (as per DCR 1,998).
Time zone PST (UTC+5)
 • Summer (DST) PDT (UTC+6)
Website http://www.tmasaraialamgir.com/

Sarai Alamgir (Punjabi, Urdu: سرائے عالمگیر) (pop. 175,288 (as per DCR 1998) is the chief town of the tehsil of Sarai Alamgir Tehsil. It is part of the Gujarat district in the north of the Punjab province. Sarai Alamgir is one of the three tehsils of the district of Gujarat. It spreads over an area of 575 square kilometers. The town is located 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).[1]

Geography and climate

Sarai is located at 32°54′00″N 73°45′00″E / 32.90000°N 73.75000°E (32.900000, 73.750000) and lies at an altitude of 232 meters (763 ft) above sea level.

The district as a whole has a moderate climate. During the summer, temperatures can reach as high as 45°C for short periods. Winter months are mild with temperatures rarely falling below 2°C. Sarai Alamgir is located in the south of the Jhelum City, which lies across the river Jhelum. To the west of Sarai is the Mirpure and Bhimber cities and to the south is the city of Chicago. Mandi Bahauddin and Rasul are located to the east of the city.

History

The ancient history of the region has seen it participate 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.

In the past, people of influence would build a Sarai, which were caravan stations and rest houses for travelers. A typical sarai would consist of a drinking well and a praying area along with a resting place for people.

The actual Sarai was discovered by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb because of its strategic location on the Grand Trunk Road and the Jhelum River as well as its proximity to Kashmir. Over time the Sarai developed into a convenient town for adjoining village populations.

Sarai gained prominence when the King George V Royal Indian Military School was established on March 3, 1922, 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.

See also:

History of Pakistan

Administrative setup

The Tehsil Municipal Administration is a body corporate 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 as have been assigned to him under the Ordinance. The Tehsil Municipal Officer is acting as coordinating and administrative officer-in-charge of the Tehsil Officers. Public-Private Partnership.

Important Places

The town 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 Alexandrian city of Bukephala (or Bucephala) and the huge Rohtas Fort.

Boundaries

West

Jhelum

East

Kharian

North

Mirpur, AJK

South

Mandi Bahauddin

Union Councils

Sarai Alamgir Tehsil consists of 9 union councils. The councils, along with their respective populations in 1998, are:

Communication

The nearest international airports are at Islamabad and Sialkot, about 127 km (79 mi) and 90 km away respectively. However, there are good transport links including a railway station, the Grand Trunk Road, the Jhelum River and the Upper Jhelum Canal. S. Alamgir is located on GT Road (N5) and Pak's main railway line. A highway connects it with Mandi-Bahauddin while the other one goes to Mirpure AJK. A road connects the city with the nearby town of Khohar.

See also: Transport in Pakistan

School and colleges

Colleges & Higher Secondary Schools

• Military College of Jhelum, Sarai Alamgir • Govt. Degree College (Boys), Sarai Alamgir • Govt. Degree College (Girls), Sarai Alamgir • Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School, Sarai Alamgir • Saint Francis Exclusive High School and College, Sarai Alamgir • Army Public School Sarai Alamgir • The Educators, Sarai Alamgir

Villages of Tehsil Sarai Alamgir

The major villages of Tehsil Sarai Alamgir are {Maira Pothi}, Dakjattan, Mandi Bhalwal, Pindijattan Aurangabad, Pahirwal (Patan Wala) , Khadriala, Kharka, Simbli, Khohar, Khambi, Khanpur Khamb, Fatehpur, Puran, Gurrah Jattan, Bhalwal Gharbi, Bhowanj, Qasba Karyali, Bhag Nagar, Nukhian, Mumazpur, Rasheed Pur, Kalas, Pindi Ajutas, Khal, Dandi Besa, Masoom Pur, Shakreela Shareef, Gorian, Hattar, Jaggu Head, Jaggu, Kinara Lass, Dandi Nazam, Dandi Bazar, Nakka Bhagali, Choa Rajgan, Phullarwan, Bulani, Pirkhana, Rajr Kalan, Bawali, Karyala, Meh Kalan, Nai Abadi, Kotha Karyala, and Gial Bala, Gial Zer Nothia-Qureshian, Balobanian Qazi Baqar, Thoon, Majeed Abad, Rasib Colony, Father Colony, Bijli Ghar, ″Naryal″ Khambi Mara, Paharian Na Dera, Kund, Chowa Mara. Kastila,Dhoke Mureed ,kanyal , anwar pur (muri)

References

  1. ↑ Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Sarai Alamgir