50 years of Cureton’s Multanis (1909)

We received this wonderful photograph with the information that this was a rare picture of Ismail Khan, Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan. The districts Dera Ismail Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan are named after these figures. However, upon enquiry, we discovered that this is inaccurate. This is a picture of the soldiers of 15th Lancers of British Indian Army. Raised during the 1857 uprising, the regiment saw service in the Second Afghan War of 1878–80 and the First World War. The regiment was one of the single class regiments, with all troops being recruited from the Multani Pathan Muslim community.

This cavalry regiment was also known as Cureton's Multanis. This particular picture was taken in 1909, marking 50 years of the 15th Lancers.

Cureton’s Multanis had a blue uniform with scarlet facings. The badge comprised two crossed lances and a pennon with a star and crescent. The star was placed over the point of crossing of the lances and was inscribed with XV. The crescent was placed lower down and had the words Cureton’s Mooltanees inscribed upon it.

The regiment had a tradition of giving a Muslim salute, instead of the regular military salute. This departure from military regulations was permitted them by Lord Napier of Magdala.

Dera Ismail Khan district is named after Nawab Ismail Khan, who was the son of Sardar Malik Sohrab Khan. Malik Sohrab was believed to have been invited to settle this land in 1400s by Sultan Shah Hussein of the Langah Sultanate of Multan. Malik Sohrab belonged to the Dodai Baloch tribe of Makraan.

Dera Ghazi Khan district was named after Nawab Ghazi Khan Mirrani, who was son of Nawab Haji Khan Mirrani. Mirrani tribes were also subordinate to Langah sultans from Multan. Later, however, they declared independence from the Langahs.

Rahim Yar Khan district is named after the son of the Nawab of Bahawalpur. Its old name was Nowshera. To avoid  confusion with another city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the same name, the nawab changed it to one of his son’s names.

These historical personalities were born in different time periods and were not related to each other. This picture was taken centuries after some of these gentlemen left this world.