Sardar Bahadur Major General Agha Muhammad
Afzal Khan Qizilbash C.I.E., O.B.I., ADC, 1880―1964
The eldest son of Sardar Bahadur Risaldar Major
Muhammad Akram Khan Qazilbash, (3rd Skinner Horse) was born in
Lucknow in 1880.
He received his early education in Multan and Aitchison
Chiefs College Lahore. On the completion of Diploma at Aitchison Chiefs College
he was commissioned in the Imperial Indian Army in year 1903 in the Sussex
Battalion of the British Infantry. Having received his initial training at
Ferozepur he was posted to the Imperial Indian Army Headquarters at Delhi from
where he was chosen to represent the Indian Army in the Coronation ceremonies
of King George V London and Delhi in year 1911.
In the late 18th century, the subsidiary
alliance instituted by Lord Welsley required the rulers of the Princely states
to sponsor and yield territory for the maintenance and Defence of the states.
Towards this end a contingent of the Imperial Indian Army was stationed in each
of the states. Upon the personal request of His Highness Nawab Muhammad Bahawal
Khan Abbasi the Imperial Indian Army Headquarter Delhi appointed Colonel
Muhammad Afzal Khan Qazilbash, a personal friend and also class fellow from
Aitchison Chiefs College as commander of the Imperial Indian Army detachment at
Bahawalpur.
This composite force of a Brigade/Division strength
having Infantry, Artillery and Camel corps as its main elements, to which was
attached the additional command of ISF from the Princely States Nabha and
Patiala, later part of Indian Army’s campaign in Mesopotamia and Turkey.
This force under the direct command of Field Marshal
Lord Birdwood was assigned some of the toughest and bloodiest combat duties in
World War I. Having been entrusted with a perilous intelligence mission behind
the Turkish lines Col. Muhammad Afzal Khan was caught and sentenced to death.
Eluding danger by sheer courage and presence of mind he escaped on the Eve
prior to facing the Firing Squad. Undeterred, he successfully accomplished the
mission surfacing after 18 months a feat personally acknowledged by Field
Marshal Lord Kitchner Commander in Chief (C-in-C) of the British Imperial
Forces. For his gallant and meritorious services he was twice “Mentioned in
Dispatches” and conferred upon with the title of Sardar Bahadur in 1917, C.I.E.
and O.B.I. in 1919. He was also appointed Honorary ADC to the Viceroy of India.
On promotion to the rank of Major General in 1928, he took over the command of
the ISF.
In 1933 after a distinguished career spanning over 30
years, he retired and settled in Multan on his Jaagir/lands. The composite
group that he commanded at Bahawalpur was later merged into the Baluch
Regiment.
He died in 1964 and is buried in Multan, Pakistan.
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