Military College Jhelum (MCJ) is the oldest military institution of its kind in Pakistan. It is an English medium institution, running classes from VIII to XII. It is located on the Grand Trunk (GT) Road, beside the town of Sarai Alamgir. The campus is spread over about 170 acres of area. It was founded by Prince of Wales, Prince Edward VIII, at Sarai Alamgir on the 3rd March 1922 and named as King George Royal Indian Military School (KGRIMS), commonly known among masses as KGR. A no of sister schools/ colleges were established in other parts of the sub-continent, namely Jallandur (1922), Ajmer (1930), Belgaum (1945), and Bangalore (1946). It started functioning after three years on 15th September 1925 as a residential school for the sons of soldiers in gratitude of their services in World War 1 with the object of producing educated rank and file for the British Indian Army units. Later on in rare cases, some talented students could be endorsed for the grant of commission through Kitchner College Nowgong. During the World War II, the school underwent structural reforms and was raised to the status of College as King George Royal Indian Military College in 1943 for training potential officers for the army.
With the creation of Pakistan, it was renamed as Royal Pakistan Military College Jhelum. In 1956, the nomenclature changed to its present name Military College Jhelum and it took further strides both in scope and service. It was restructured as a quality public school and was assigned the role of a feeder institution for the Pakistan Military Academy by achieving academic excellence and personality grooming.
In 1925, the school took its start with two Houses; Roberts House and Birdwood House. Third, Sakeen house, was raised in 1928. Initially, the school functioned till class eight, class nine started in 1930 and first year in 1931. The first batch of school successfully completed five-year training/studies in October 1930. In 1967, the name of Roberts House was replaced with Sher Shah House which functioned as a junior house till 1989. Now, this building is being utilized as an Administrative/ visitors Block/ accommodation. Other houses as Mehmood Ghaznavi (old Birdwood) and Babur (old Skeen) in 1958. At present, there are seven houses, named as Mehmood Ghaznavi House, Babur House, Aurangzeb House, Tipu Sultan House, Jinnah House, Iqbal House and Sir Syed House. In 1991, the strength of cadets was increased from 320 to 500. Currently, it is 600 with 20xDay Scholars.
There was no motto of the College from 1925-38. In 1938, School adopted a motto of the Latin word “ Virtue non Verbis” means “ virtue, not verbosity”. In 1947, it was replaced by a Persian maxim “توانا بود هر که دانا بود “ meaning “ He who is wise, is strong” and in 1956 it was again replaced by the present motto “علم و عمل“ which means “Knowledge and Action”.
The college has crossed many important landmarks of its history. It celebrated its Silver Jubilee on November 27, 1950; its Golden Jubilee in November 1975; its Diamond Jubilee in November 1986, its Platinum Jubilee on September 15, 1999 and the Centenary of its Foundation Stone Laying on 3 March 2022.
The College has served the nation with a spirit of commitment. Its alumni have contributed to the national cause with unwavering devotion. The College Roll of Honour radiates with the names of martyrs, heroes, and senior officers in all echelons of civil and military establishments. Till 31 Aug 2022, College has had, to its credit 1 Nishan-e-Haider, Major Mohammad Akram Shaheed, 4 Military Cross, number of Sitara-i-Jurrat, Tamgha-i-Jurrat, Tamgh-i-Shujaat, Imtiazi Asnad. 43xAlumni embraced shahadat in the performance of their duties.
Distinguished Alamgirians include 1xCJCSC, Air Chief, Naval Chief, Vice Chief and Army Chief (General (R) Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Air Chief Marshal (R) Zulfiqar Ali Khan, Admiral (R) Abdul Aziz Mirza, General (R) Muhammad Yousaf Khan and General (R) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani). Apart from these top positions, 94xGeneral Officers, over 300 Brigadiers, over 2000 Colonels / Lieutenant Colonels, and a large number of highly placed officers in the civil have contributed immensely. The performance of the Alamgirians at Pakistan Military Academy and foreign academies is also laudable. In each course, the Alamgirians performed exceedingly well. So far, 40 Alamgirians have won the distinguished Sword of Honour.
Mission:
To educate and groom the cadets intellectually, morally and physically; fostering requisite leadership qualities for rendering services to Army in particular and civil society in general.