The recorded history of Jhelum (), a district of modern-day Pakistan, covers thousands of years. Since its creation, Persian, Greek, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Sikh, and British dominates the influences to present-day Pakistan.
Jhelum 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. The city was founded to commemorate the death of Alexander's horse, Bucephalus, and was originally called Bucephala. Nearby there is also the historic 16th-century Rohtas Fort, another historic fort since Sikh era located at the backside of the main bus stand near Railway Phatak Jhelum City. It is now being used as stores under Railway Authorities and also Tilla Jogian; a centuries-long history of the area.
Early history
The history of the district dates back to the semi-mythical period of the Mahabharata. Hindu tradition represents the Salt Range as the refuge of the five Pandava brethren during their exile. 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 Porus as within Jhelum district. However, the exact spot at which the Macedonian king affected the passage of the Jhelum (or Hydespes) was hotly disputed.
Greek period
Alexander moved from ancient Taxila of Raja Ambhi, whom he subdued without a fight, to Kalar Kahar. He moved over the Salt Range, turning left, along the western bank of River Jhelum, which he called Hydaspes. Opposite him on the other bank was a Raja Porus. They fought one of the biggest and most fierce battles of Alexander's whole campaign, which eventually Alexander won, after using a surprise move against the valiant Porus but with great difficulty and a heavy loss of life on Alexander's side too. Before moving further, Alexander established a village on the west bank of the River and ordered the construction of 2000 boats. Greek Admiral Nearches was to arrange wood from nearby higher hills, which would be floated down the River and hauled up at this point. He called this village as Boucephila (present-day Jhelum City). The Jhelum River passes vying with the residential areas of the city.
The mosque inside the river is a famous landmark most commuters on the Grand Trunk Road even today. Alexander's Naval Chief was assigned the task of boats building on a very large scale. Therefore, the craftsmen were gathered, hence the modern colonies in the city named as Machine Mohallahs (Number 1, 2 and 3), because of the saw mills. Jhelum became timber market for the whole of Punjab over the millenniums. It was only after the construction of Mangla Dam that log wood does not float down the river, and the city has lost this privilege. There is a plywood factory also, which is flourishing. Greeks left marks of their chivalry and martial spirit, which mixed up well with the races and clans dwelling in the area.
Early Muslim period
In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin, In 1005 he conquered the Hindu Shahis in Kabul in 1005, and followed it by the conquests of Punjab region in including the Jhelum District. 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.
The Janjuas and Khokhars, 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.
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. After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikh invaded and occupied Multan District. The Muslims faced severe restrictions during the Sikh rule. Gujar Singh's son succeeded to his dominions until 1810, when it fell to Ranjit Singh. Under the Lahore government the dominant classes of Jhelum suffered much from fiscal actions;.