{{Short description|Town in Punjab, Pakistan}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Use Pakistani English|date=October 2019}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Sarai Alamgir <br /> {{nq|سرائے عالمگیر}} | settlement_type = City | image_skyline = Jhelum River Bridge.JPG | imagesize = | image_caption = A bridge on the River Jhelum, seen from Sarai Alamgir | pushpin_map = Pakistan | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Pakistan | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag |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 | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = Nazim | leader_name = | leader_title1 = Naib nazim | leader_name1 = | established_title = | established_date = | population_as_of = 2023 | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_total = 73,967 | population_density_km2 = | population_urban = | population_density_urban_km2 = | coordinates = {{coord|32|54|N|73|45|E|region:PK|display=inline,title}} | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | timezone = PKT | utc_offset = +5 | timezone_DST = PDT | utc_offset_DST = +6 | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 50000 | area_code = | blank_name = | blank_info = | footnotes = }}
'''Sarai Alamgir''' ({{langx|pnb|{{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.<ref name="TheNation" /><ref name="SaraiAlamgir">{{cite web|url=http://www.tmasaraialamgir.com/|archive-date=8 June 2016|url-status=dead|website=Tehsil Municipal Administration Sarai Alamgir, Government of the Punjab website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608152758/http://www.tmasaraialamgir.com/ |title=Sarai Alamgir|access-date=30 October 2024}}</ref><ref>[https://www.brecorder.com/news/40163215 PML-N's 'long march' begins from Lahore's Model Town] Business Recorder (newspaper), Published 27 March 2022, Retrieved 20 January 2023</ref>
The Sarai Alamgir town was mainly founded by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir.<ref name="TheNation" /> That's why the name of town was given Sarai Alamgir which means Sarai of Alamgir because this place was used as "Sarai" (rest area) by the army of Aurangzeb Alamgir. The town also gains strategic importance that time due to its position at Grand Trunk Road (GT Road) originally built by the emperor Sher Shah Suri (1472- 1545).<ref name="TheNation" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=TMA Sarai Alamgir website |url=http://www.tmasaraialamgir.com/ |archive-date= |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=(Tehsil Municipal Administration, Sarai Alamgir Tehsil website)}}</ref>
Sarai Alamgir covers {{Convert|575|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}} 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).<ref name="SaraiAlamgir" />
== Geography and climate == Sarai is located at {{Coord|32|54|00|N|73|45|00|E|region:PK_type:city(50,000)}} (32.900000, 73.750000); it lies at {{Convert|232|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level. The municipality has a moderate climate. During the summer, temperatures can reach {{Convert|45|°C|°F|abbr=on}} for short periods. Winter months are mild, temperatures rarely falling below {{Convert|1|°C|°F|abbr=on}}. 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.<ref name=SaraiAlamgir/><ref>[http://www.maplandia.com/pakistan/punjab/jhelum/sarai-alamgir/ Detailed satellite map of Sarai Alamgir and its nearby places] Retrieved 20 January 2023</ref>
== 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.<ref name=livius>[https://www.livius.org/articles/battle/hydaspes/?, Battle between Alexander the Great and King Porus near Sarai Alamgir and Jhelum area] on livius.org website, Retrieved 20 January 2023</ref><ref name="TheNation" /> In the past, influential people of the region 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.<ref name="TheNation" />
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.<ref name=TheNation>{{cite news|url=https://www.nation.com.pk/09-Apr-2021/sarai-alamgir |title=Sarai Alamgir|newspaper=The Nation newspaper|author=Irfan Shareef|date=9 April 2021|access-date=30 October 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409134310/https://www.nation.com.pk/09-Apr-2021/sarai-alamgir|archive-date=9 April 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Demographics == The population of city in 1972 was 2,609 but according to the 2023 Census of Pakistan, the population has risen to 73,967.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sarāi Ālamgīr (Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/pakistan/punjab/gujrat/7090304__sar%C4%81i_%C4%81lamg%C4%ABr/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" !Census !Population |- |1972 | style="text-align:right" |2,609 |- |1981 | style="text-align:right" |23,664 |- |1998 | style="text-align:right" |37,166 |- |2017 | style="text-align:right" |54,864 |- |2023 | style="text-align:right" |73,967 |}
=== Language === {{Pie chart | caption = Urban population of Sarai Alamgir Tehsil | value1 = 80.40 | label1 = Punjabi | color1 = red | value2 = 14.70 | label2 = Urdu | color2 = green | value3 = 3.62 | label3 = Pashto | color3 = yellow | value4 = 1.28 | label4 = Others | color4 = grey }} In the 2023 census, 80.40% of the population spoke Punjabi, 14.70% spoke Urdu, 3.62% spoke Pashto and 1.28% of the population spoke other languages (mostly Sindhi and Saraiki).<ref>{{Cite web |title=First Digital Census: Understanding Its Importance and Process - Pakistan Bureau of Statistics population |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/census/ |access-date=2025-12-04 |website=Pakistan Bureau of Statistics |language=en-US}}</ref>
== 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.<ref name="TheNation" /> 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.<ref name="livius" /><ref>[https://nation.com.pk/islamabad/03-Jun-2013/renovated-rohtas-fort-to-boost-tourism Rohtas Fort article on The Nation (newspaper)] Published 3 June 2013, Retrieved 20 January 2023</ref>
== Boundaries == Sarai Alamgir city has these cities in its surrounding areas:
=== West === Jhelum
=== East === Kharian
=== North === Mirpur, Azad Kashmir
=== South === Mandi Bahauddin
== Communications == The nearest international airports are at Islamabad and Sialkot, about {{convert|127|km|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|90|km|0|abbr=on}} away, respectively.<ref>[https://www.islamabadairport.com.pk/ Nearest Islamabad International Airport on Civil Aviation Authority website] Retrieved 20 January 2023</ref> 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.
== Villages == * '''Balobanaian''' is a largest village of Sarai Alamgir. It is almost 22 km from the town. * '''ChakJani''' is Highly valued village of Sarai Alamgir.
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Cities in Punjab (Pakistan) Category:Populated places in Gujrat District