The history of the region dates to 326 BC, when
Alexandar the Great and his troops camped in the area of Jalalpur Sharif prior to their battle with
Porus. During the reign of
Ranjit Singh, Pind Dadan Khan was the second most important town after Amritsar and the largest
grain market in Western Punjab. Prior to Jhelum, Pind Dadan Khan was the District headquarter, however, gradually this magnificent town lost its past glory due to continued neglect and other natural calamities which hit the region form time to time. After the
First Anglo-Sikh War - the East India Company effectively took over the Sikh Empire, in April 1848 British boundary commissioner James Abbott, who was involved demarcating the Punjab-Kashmir border, made arrangements to travel down to Pind Dadun Khan, "to inspect the salt and antimony mines, with a view to acquire a knowledge of the phenomena under which minerals occur in this formation". As Abbott sailed down the Jhelum he noted that the "river is full of islands. For about 20 miles it occupies a highly cultivated and pleasant valley. Then the salt hills appear upon the west and a boundless flat to eastward The people of the villages often ran to the bank and implored me to settle their boundary disputes, which of course was impossible They have great confidence in the superior eloquence of the female tongue, and send their old dames and little girls chanting in chorus to attract my attention It is difficult to resist such an appeal." and most of the income collected by the British authorities was by
octroi. The population according to the 1901 census was 13,770. It was formerly the dépot to which salt was brought from the
Mayo Mine, from which it was carried across the river to the railway; but the bridging of the Jhelum at
Haranpur and the extension of the railway to Khewra have by-passed. In earlier days, brass vessels were made in the town and there was a considerable weaving industry. Embroidered lungis were often sold at high prices. Boatbuilding was a source of skilled employment, and river boats of Pind Dadan Khan make were in request throughout the whole course of the Jhelum. However, after the construction of
Mangla Dam to strengthen the irrigation system of the country as part of the
Indus Basin Project, there is now diminished water flow in the river Jhelum except during the flooded season. Manufactured products included glazed pottery of a deep red color, ornamented with black patterns and remarkably strong and of good quality was a speciality of the town, as well as stout leather riding-whips made after English patterns. Nandana, a village near Pind Dadan Khan, is the place where
Abu Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad Al-Biruni came and he established a laboratory there which is still present. Alberuni calculated the diameter of earth in that laboratory during his lifetime; now the laboratory needs some interest by the government of Pakistan as it is not looked after and the building is vanishing day by day. If necessary care will not be given soon, there will be no sign of the great work by Alberuni. However, skilled artisans have left the area. ==Health care==