Prominent nearby cities and towns include Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, Kharian, Sarai Alamgir, and Gujrat.

The cantonment area is well planned and aesthetically maintained with an array of evergreen trees and seasonal flowers.

During the British rule, Jhelum was chosen as the site of a cantonment and as the headquarters of the civil administration.

Under British rule, Jhelum had steadily advanced in prosperity; and it is the hub for most of the trade of the District.

Although, since the completion of the Sind-Sāgar branch of the North-Western Railway; the salt trade no longer passes through it.

During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, 35 British soldiers of HM XXIV regiment were killed by the local resistance.

Zamir Jaffri Cricket Stadium is also adjacent to the Gul Afshan Colony Jhelum Cantt.

The cantonment has number of markets with small to medium shopping stores offering variety of products.