Gul Mawaz Khan was Risaldar-Major of the 18th KGO Lancers from 12 Jul 1912 to 14 Aug 1916, a larger-than-life figure who was one of the regiment’s best polo players. He was the son of Nadir Ali Khan, Risaldar-Major in the 1880s. He joined the regiment on 7 Dec 1892 and became an officer on 1 Aug 1894 with the rank of Jemadar. He fought in the Tirah Campaign of 1897-8. His promotion to Ressaidar came on 1 Mar 1903, to Risaldar on 1 Nov 1907 and Risaldar-Major on 12 Jul 1912. He represented the regiment at King Edward VII’s coronation in 1902, as part of the Indian contingent. When King George V visited India in 1911 he served on the King’s staff at the Delhi Durbar, for which he received the Victorian Medal. He served throughout the First World War, relinquishing his position in August 1916 to take up special duty in Egypt until 1919. On 1 Jul 1920 he was promoted to Honorary Captain. The photo shows him post-war in that rank.
He was awarded the Indian Order of Merit on 21 Sep 1918, which can be seen suspended on a ribbon around his collar. He was pensioned on 1 Jan 1921. The History of the regiment describes him:
‘..an exceptionally able man and a grand sportsman, rider and polo player, who could without effort hit a polo ball half way down the ground. He played in the regimental team which won the Native Cavalry Polo Tournament in 1899, and made his final appearance in the team of 1920.’
His Special Duty in Egypt in 1916 gave him the opportunity of making the pilgrimage to Mecca thus adding the prefix ‘Haji’ to his name. He headed a delegation to the Holy City and his departure is described in Shifting Sands by Major N N E Bray:
‘Gul Mawaz mounted a mule; his huge bulk of fourteen stone made the beast’s back bend as he lowered himself into the saddle. His hearty, honest laugh broke out as he contrasted his present mount with his fine chestnut charger in France. The Risaldar-Major of a crack cavalry regiment on a mule! Well, it was in the King’s service. He dug his heels into the mule’s stomach and trotted off.’
