Jhelum Valley (Azad Kashmir)

 

Jhelum Valley, a 50 km long valley located on the Jhelum River within lush green mountains, is located in Hattian Bala District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, which is 40km from Muzaffarabad. The important areas of Jhelum valley are Chinari, Chakothi, Chikkar, Garhi Dupatta, and Awan Patti.

About Jhelum

Jhelum is situated in Pothohar Plateau, on the east bank of the Jhelum River, in the north of Punjab, Pakistan. Jhelum is famous for the number of soldiers in the Pakistan Army as well as in British Army before independence, so it is known as city of soldiers. Its name was also derived from the Jhelum River's water. Jal and Ham words meaning pure water and snow that flow in the river from the snow-capped Himalayas Range.

The Jhelum River is one of the major river in Pakistan in the Indus Valley. It has very attractive scenic beauty at various places in Jhelum. Most of the tourists have a short stay near the Jhelum River bridge on Grant Trunk Road. This bridge over the Jhelum River was built in 1873 by the British Government.

Jhelum was considered as the capital of Poros Kingdom, Paurava. It is also near the site of Battle of the Hydaspes between Alexander and the King Porus.

During Independence War of 1857 against the British Rule in India, 35 British soldiers of the British Army were killed in Jhelum at the Battle of Jhelum by mutineers. A lectern shows the names of those 35 soldiers is located inside the St. John's Church in the Jhelum Cantonment. Then finally the British Army won the battle, and the British soldier William Connolly got a Victoria Cross, highest award in the British Army.

The literacy rate is higher in Jhelum as compare to other cities of Punjab or Pakistan. It has second highest literacy rate, 79%, in Pakistan. Human Development Index is also much higher in this city, and that is 0.77 which second highest in Pakistan after Karachi.

Jhelum has extremely hot and humid weather in summer, and cold and dry in winter season. It also receives monsoon and average rainfall is about 33 inches.

Salt Range is one the crucial resource in the Jhelum city. Salt Range is parallel hills running from east to west throughout the Jhelum. The Khewra Salt Mine is largest salt mine in Pakistan in the Salt Range, and it is an major attraction for tourist in this area.

Rohtas Fort was built by the king Sher Shah Suri and is situated at the distance of 18 km from Jhelum city. It is one the largest fort in the sub-continent and it has 4 km circumference. It was a garrison fort and used for defense purposes.

The Mangal Dam on the Jhelum River is also an important location to visit in Jhelum. It is located about 30 km from Jhelum near Dina. Dam was built in 1967 due to Indus Water Treaty between Pakistan and India.

Rasul Barrage is also another important location that is located on the Jhelum River about 30 km from Jhelum. It originates two important canals, Rasul-Qadirabad or Lower-Jhelum link canal and Rasul-Shahpur branch canal. This place is also best for one-day family trip.

Jhelum is also famous for industries including tobacco, wood, glass, and marble.