*Brigadier Amir Gulistan Janjua (14 Aug 1925 – 18 Feb 2019), Guides Cavalry, from the 2nd Post-War Regular Course . Commissioned on 20 October 1947 at GHQ*
Just three months before Brig AG Janjua's death , his health was generally good. I often visited his house to learn from him about the pre-Independence Armoured Corps officers, as I was working on their bibliographic sketches. He shared his knowledge of senior AC officers, offering rich insights into their lives and careers. With his remarkable photographic memory, he could recall events and individuals to the minutest details.
He was one of the humblest, most helpful, and lively individuals I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Spending hours with him, listening to his captivating stories, and learning from his experiences was a privilege. I will share some of his stories in bits and pieces over time.
Brig Amir Gulistan Janjua's
grandfather brother, Mirza Khan, joined Johnston Ki Paltan (56 Frontier Force Rifles, 2/13 FFR, now 8 FF – Bhaiband) when it was raised at Mianwali by Lt J. C. Johnston on 2 Apr 1849, before it was the 2nd Regiment of the Punjab Infantry.
Mirza Khan seven feet three inches tall, well built and sharp featured, was a member of the entourage of Field Marshal Load Roberts of Kandahar, VC (1832 – 1914), whom he would, while holding from the girth, mount and dismount the field marshal on a standing camel. Lord Roberts always felt it highly convenient.
Mirza’s brother, Raja Said Khan , preferred to join the cavalry the same year, 1849. Under the “Salardari “ system, he took his pet animal and joined the 18th Cavalry ( Tiwana Lancers), which was later amalgamated into the 19th Lancers in the 1922 reorganisation of the Indian Army .
Brig Amir Gulistan's father, Capt Raja Feroz Khan, the eldest son of Subedar Raja Said Khan, was born in 1893. By the time he was seventeen , he joined his uncle’s Paltan Chhewanjah – the Bhaiband at Jalandhar in 1910. His three uncles, Hon Capt Saif Ali Khan, SB, OBI, MBE, Hon Capt Larasab Khan, TK I, MBE, Hon Lt Sher Afghan TK I, and his younger brother, Brig Zaffar Hayat ( Retd), Olympian ( 1960 , Rome ) Pakistan Hockey team were all from 2/13 Frontier Force Rifles ( 8 FF )."
