Located in northern Punjab, it serves as the capital of the eponymous district, it is often referred to as the City of Soldiers or Land of Martyrs and Warriors, due to the city providing many soldiers in the British Indian Army and, later, the Pakistan Armed Forces; owing to the categorisation of the Punjabi tribes as a 'martial race'.

[4][5] Jhelum is a few miles upstream from the site of the ancient Battle of the Hydaspes, between the armies of Alexander III of Macedon and Porus.

The site of the modern city of Jhelum could have, possibly, been the capital of Porus' Kingdom, Paurava.

A city called Bucephala was founded nearby to commemorate the death of Alexander's horse, Bucephalus.

Other notable sites nearby include the 16th-century Rohtas Fort, the Tilla Jogian complex of ancient temples, and the 16th-century Grand Trunk Road which passes through the city.

There are a number of industries in and around Jhelum city, including a tobacco factory, wood, marble, glass and flour mills.

The name thus refers to the waters of a river (flowing besides the city) which have their origins in the snow-capped Himalayas.

[12] The next major point in the history of the district was the Battle of the Hydaspes between Alexander and the local ruler, Porus the Elder.

Abisares (or Abhisara;[13] in Greek Αβισαρης), called Embisarus (Eμ Oβισαρoς) by Diodorus,[14] was an Indian king of the Abhira tribe.

[15] descent beyond the river Hydaspes, whose territory lay in the mountains, sent embassies to Alexander both before and after the conquest of Porus in 326 BC, although inclined to espouse the side of the latter.

Alexander not only allowed him to retain his kingdom but increased it, and on his death appointed his son as his successor.

Porus' kingdom Paurava was on the left bank of the Jhelem River corresponding the limits of the present Gujrat District.

The Gakhars appear to represent an early wave of conquerors from the west, who still inhabit a large tract in the mountain north of tilla range.

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.

Being very few in number, main families of Mughal Barlas, the descent of Ameer-i Taimoor settled in Mong Rasool and afterward scattered to village chak Nazar, Shamaspur, Aima Afghana, khardiyala, Chak sikander, Malhar Muglain, Mota Garbi, Bhimber, they adopted a policy of converting the local Jats and Gakhars mandatory as recorded in the Baburnama.

During the decline of Afghan rule following the Third Battle of Panipat, the newly emerging Sikh Empire invaded and occupied Jhelum District in 1808 from its Gakhar ruler Raja Sultan Muqarrab Khan.

The British conquered Jhelum in 1849 with the assistance of the local Gakhars who resented Sikh rule.

In 1857 the 14th Native Infantry stationed at Jhelum town mutinied, and displayed a vigorous defence against a force sent from Rawalpindi to disarm them, but decamped for the night following the action, with the main body being subsequently arrested by the Kashmiri authorities, into whose territory they had escaped.

Under Sikh rule the place was quite unimportant, being mainly occupied by a settlement of boatmen, and at the time of annexation contained about 500 houses.

[19] A lectern inside St John's Church Jhelum shows the names of those 35 soldiers.

The British soldier William Connolly won a Victoria Cross for his bravery during this battle.

Mirza Dildar Baig, also known as Khaki Shah, took part in the mutiny at Jhelum and was later celebrated by Indian Nationalists.

He was captured and arrested with the remaining mutineers by authorities in Kashmir and later hanged near the river Jhelum.

The railway bridge on the river Jhelum was built in 1873 by the British engineer William St. John Galwey.

Several cities are within 1 to 2 hours drive including Gujrat (home to fan manufacturing),[39] Gujranwala,[40] Chakwal and Mirpur, Azad Kashmir.

Average annual rainfall is about 850 millimetres (33 in) which is much below the required quantity given the extremely high evaporation levels.

Nevertheless, in the rainy season water torrents flow from the north to the Jhelum River very rapidly and cause damage to the crops, bridges, roads.

[47] The University of the Punjab has established a campus in Jhelum offering programs related to business, commerce, law, and computer science.