Subadar Gird Ali, 106th Hazara Pioneers, 1911

Portrait photograph, Langfier Limited, 1911.

Subadar Gird Ali wearing a pouch belt with badge, whistle and boss, and two medals.

The 106th Hazara Pioneers was formed in 1904 by Major (later Field Marshal) Claud William Jacob (1863-1948). Hazaras are an ethnic group of Mongolian origin and Muslim in religion, present in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Iran. The unit was raised in Quetta, a centre for Hazara refugee settlement, and was drawn largely from Hazara men from the 124th Duchess of Connaught's Own Baluchistan Infantry and the 126th Baluchistan Infantry. The regiment served in Persia and Mesopotamia during World War One (1914-1918) and in Waziristan (1919-1920).

From a photograph album of 284 portrait photographs of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Contingent, who attended the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary, 1911.