Jhelum District

Jhelum District (ضلع جہلم) is in the Punjab province of Pakistan. According to the 1998 census, the district had a population of 936,957, of which 31.48% were urban. Jhelum is known for providing a large number of soldiers to the British and later to the Pakistan armed forces due to which it is also known as city of soldiers or land of martyrs and warriors. The district of Jhelum stretches from the river Jhelum almost to the Indus. Salt is quarried at the Mayo mine in the Salt Range. There are two coal-mines, the only ones worked in the province, from which the North-Western railway obtains part of its supply of coal. The chief centre of the salt trade is Pind Dadan Khan. The district is crossed by the main line of the North-Western railway, and also traversed along the south by a branch line. It is located in the north of the Punjab province, Jhelum district is bordered by Sargodha to its south, Gujrat and the Jhelum River to its south and east, Chakwal to its west, Mirpur to its east, and Rawalpindi to its north.

Administration
The district of Jhelum, which covers an area of 3,587 km2, is administratively divided into four tehsils: Jhelum, Sohawa, Pind Dadan Khan and Dina, - which are divided into 53 Union Councils. It also contains the cities of Jhelum,

Language


As per the 1998 census of Pakistan, the following are the demographics of the Jhelum district, by spoken language:


 * Punjabi language: 96.6%
 * Other: 3.4%

Inhabitants of Jhelum District speak a great variety of Punjabi dialects: which are


 * Pothohari (Northern and Western Side),
 * Majhi or standard (in cities),
 * Shapuri (east side along the river and parts of Tehsil Pind dadan khan)
 * Dhani (western side along Chakwal).
 * Thalochi (parts of Tehsil Pind dadan khan)

Among other languages Urdu is spoken and understood by most of the population.

English is also understood and spoken by the educated elite.

Demographics
The population of Jhelum District according to the 1998 census of Pakistan was 936,957 with a population density of 261 people per square kilometre. According the Punjab Education Department's annual literacy statistics for 2006, Jhelum had a literacy rate of 79% which is among the highest in Pakistan. Human Development Index of Jhelum is 0.770, which highest in Pakistan after Karachi.

According to the Gazetteer of the Jhelum District of 1904, 88.7% of the population were Muslim

Early history
The history of the district dates back to the Hindu mythological period of the Mahabharata. The epic represents the Salt Range as the refuge of the five Pandava brethren during the period of their exile, and every salient point in its scenery is connected with some legend of the national heroes. Modern research has fixed the site of the conflict between Alexander and Raja Porus as within Jhelum district, though the exact spot at which the Macedonian king effected the passage of the Jhelum (or Hydespes) has been hotly disputed. After this event, we have little information with regard to the condition of the district until the Muslim conquest brought back literature and history to Upper India. The Janjuas and Jats, who now hold the Salt Range and its northern plateau respectively, appear to have been the earliest inhabitants

The Gakhars, who appear to represent an early wave of conquest from the west, and who still inhabit a large tract in the east of the District; while the Awans, who now cluster in the western plain, are apparently later invaders, the Gakhars were the dominant race during the early Muslim era and they long continued to retain their independence, both in Jhelum itself and in the neighbouring District of Rawalpindi.

Sultanate era
In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin, In 1005 he conquered the Shahis in Kabul in 1005, and followed it by the conquests of northern Punjab region. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot the landscape of Punjab region.

Mughal era
During the flourishing period of the Mughal dynasty, the Gakhar chieftains were among the most prosperous and loyal vassals of the house of Babar. After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh invaded and occupied Jhang. The Muslims faced severe restrictions during the Sikh rule.

Sikh era
In 1765 Gujar Singh defeated the last independent Gakhars Chief, Muqarrrab Khan, and reduced the wild mountaineers of the Salt Range and the Murree Hills to subjection.

British era
In 1849. Jhelum passed with the rest of the Sikh territories into the power of the British. Ranjit Singh, however, had so thoroughly subjected the wild mountain tribes who inhabited the District that little difficulty was experienced in reducing it to working order.

During British rule Jhelum was a district of Rawalpindi Division, and was larger than the current district of Jhelum. On April 1, 1904, the tehsil of Talagang was detached from the District and incorporated with the new District of Attock.

The old Jhelum district (minus Talagang) covered an area of 2,813 square miles (7285 km2) and included Chakwal tehsil – it was bounded by Shahpur and Attock to the west, and by Rawalpindi to the north – the Jhelum River separated it from Kashmir to the north-east and from Gujrat and Shahpur to the south-east and south.

Independence
The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while the Muslim refugees from India settled in the Jhelum District.

Since independence the agriculture and industry of Jhelum developed and it is now important part of Economy of Pakistan.

Jhelum City
The district capital, Jhelum City, is situated on the right and left bank of the Jhelum River,the left side of Jhelum is known as Sara-i-alamgir and it also contain the Military College Jhelum (MCJ). The 16th-century Grand Trunk Road passes through the city. Jhelum city is near the site of the famous Battle of the Hydaspes between the armies of Alexander the Great and Raja Porus This battle took place a few miles downstream from the city centre, along the river banks. Population of the Jhelum city (proper) is about 172,073 (2009) and it is the 35th largest city of Pakistan with respect to population. A cantonment was built during the British rule, which has grown up into a strong Garrison, with an Infantry Division commanded by a Major General.

River Jhelum
The river Jhelum is navigable throughout the district, which forms the south-eastern portion of a rugged Himalayan spur, extending between the Indus and Jhelum to the borders of the Sind Sagar Doab. Its scenery is very picturesque, although not of so wild a character as the mountain region of Rawalpindi to the north, and is lighted up in places by smiling patches of cultivated valley. The backbone of the district is formed by the Salt Range, a treble line of parallel hills running in three long forks from east to west throughout its whole breadth.

The range rises in bold precipices, broken by gorges, clothed with brushwood and traversed by streams which are at first pure, but soon become impregnated with the saline matter over which they pass. Between the line of hills lies a picturesque table-land, in which the beautiful little lake of Kallar Kahar nestles amongst the minor ridges. North of the Salt Range, the country extends upwards in an elevated plateau, diversified by countless ravines and fissures, until it loses itself in tangled masses of Rawalpindi mountains. In this rugged tract cultivation is rare and difficult, the soil being choked with saline matter. At the foot of the Salt Range, however, a small strip of level soil lies along the banks of the Jhelum, and is thickly dotted with prosperous villages.

The drainage of the district is determined by a low central watershed running north and south at right angles to the Salt Range. The waters of the western portion find their way into the Sohan, and finally into the Indus; those of the opposite slope collect themselves into small torrents, and empty themselves into the Jhelum.

Agriculture
Jhelum District has a total area of 858767 acre, out of which 316815 acre are cultivated. It has four tehsils viz; Jhelum, Pind Dadan Khan, Dina and Sohawa. The area is located on the eastern part of Potohar upland along with River Jhelum.

Agriculture in the District Jhelum depends mainly on rainfall. The average rainfall of the area varies from 20 to 40 in. About three fourth of this precipitation is received in monsoon season and the remaining one fourth is received during the rest of the year. The irrigated area at present is limited but the emphasis on construction of small Dams and Mini Dams is gradually increasing. Wheat remains the main crop.

In Tehsil P.D.Khan Salt is the predominant feature which is spoiling the rich agricultural land day by day. There is a long strip of very rich and virgin soil along the river which could be made a paradise of citrus plantation by drip irrigation if the local people are motivated and the Government of Punjab expressed some interest in it.

Sport
The main sports of the area are centred around agricultural pursuits and excellence and include Patthar (stone) lifting by young men. A localised version of Kabbadi, Bull racings centred around a Persian water wheel at the villages of Kantrili, and Jada near the suburban town of Kala Gujran. These happen to be important and most popular with many thousands of people in attendance. Tent pegging using the local horses and riders. This indicates the regions prowess during war and battle and hence the city being attributed the name of land of martyrs and warriors. There is a small cricket stadium at Suleiman Park. Many of these rural sports retain the regions excellence in raising and retaining some of the finest young citizens of the country. Hockey is the another sports which is very popular in Jhelum. Jhelum produced many famous players of hockey who served for different departments in the field of hockey. Currently Cypruss Hockey Club is the most popular club in Punjab.

Flora and fauna
Vegetation of the forests of Jhelum Forest Division is dry deciduous scrub type, Phulai, Kau and sanatha are the main species. The stocking on the whole is poorand the forests are open. Vegetation is poor on sandstone and redmarl. The southern slopes are often devoid of vegetation while north western slopes carry good forests. The forests of Jhelum Forests Divisions are burdened with right of grazing browsing and firewood. Under settlement out of total area 93566 acre only 5468 acre about (45%) are right free. Remaining 55% are open to grazing.

The fauna of the District is mostly indigenous restricted, like the vegetation, but similarly varied and interesting. The rugged and rough terrain, low rainfall, the scantly cover of vegetation and the burning passions of the increasing number of hunters, all have their share in limiting the animal kingdom in the District. The riverine offers a better environment than elsewhere though the hills support a more interesting wildlife. Urial and Chinckara are spot aids while wild bores are found in the Salt Range. Wolves, Foxes and Wild Cats are also found. Hare is fairly common. Chikor grey and black Partridge are also found in the parts of the district. Migratory ducks like Teal Pintail and Mallard and some geese visit during winter.

Climate
The climate of the tract is extreme. In winter it is very cold and summer is very hot. The average rainfall varies from 48 to 69 m.m per annum which is much below the required quantity but in the rainy season the water torrents flow from North to the river Jhelum with a very fast speed and cause damages to the crops, bridges, roads and are responsible for the soil erosion in the District. The detailed data is as under:

Development organizations
Rehmat Welfare Foundation Jhelum is a charity project working for poor & needy people of fifty mile area including Jhelum which cannot afford the expenses of their daily life and very expensive general medical and kidney dialysis treatment.

Civil Society Human and Institutional Development Program (CHIP)is working in Sohawa Tehsil since 2004, with its field office in the area CHIP has successfully mobilized community people to get organize into Community Based Organizations, Community Citizen Boards and Women Organizations. Further, CHIP has duly built the capacity of these local entities to take new initiatives. These community level organizations, in collaborative partnerships with CHIP, are working on several development projects. The main focus of these projects is to eliminate illiteracy from villages of Sohawa especially those where government education structure does not exist, make clean drinking water available, provide technical support to the local farmers, raise skill development opportunities for women and sensitize communities to include women in decision making. The local community level organizations developed by CHIP are making successful efforts in implementing development projects by deriving funds from local government bodies.

CHIP has announced Sohawa as its main development area and the organization is assessing further development interventions in villages of Sohawa, presently the main focus of organization is to introduce an 'Inclusive Development Model' which suggest active involvement of people with disabilities in the development process.

Education Welfare Society (EWS)a registered NGO, founded in 1995 by Syed Waqar Azeem; a well known social personality awarded by "FAKHR-E-JHELUM" (Proud of Jhelum) in 1998 demonstrated pivotal role in educational development in the city and represented the jhelum on international level and its educational welfare and developments' needs on major platforms and devoted himself for the welfare of the masses.

Universities, Colleges and schools
Cantonment Board CMB Model, Jhelum
 * Punjab University.
 * Air Foundation School System Jhelum (Boys & Girls).
 * Air Foundation School System Junior Branch (Near Al-Bilal Hotel)
 * Army Public School and College Jhelum Cantt.
 * FG Intermediat College Jhelum Cantt.
 * Fauji Foundation Model School & College, Jhelum Cantt.
 * Govt. Postgraduate College, Jhelum.
 * Govt. College. G.T. Road, Jhelum.
 * Govt. College for Women, Jhelum.
 * Govt. College of Commerce, Bilal Town, Jhelum.
 * Research Girls College Kala Gujran, Jhelum
 * Jinnah Law College Near Kutcheri, Jhelum.
 * M.A. Jinnah College of Commerce & Computer Science, Jhelum.
 * PICS, Bilal town, Jhelum.
 * Presentation Convent School, Jhelum. Presentation convent high school for girls, Jhelum Cantt.
 * Jhelum Homeopathic Medical College, GT Road Jada, Jhelum
 * SLS College, Jhelum.
 * Govt. College of Technology Chak Daulat, Jhelum