Sarai Alamgir - History

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 olden days 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 founded 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.

See also:

History of Pakistan

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