From March 1916, it was intended to form a reserve division for the
North West Frontier, but the urgent need to find troops for
Mesopotamia meant that the
16th Indian Division was not formed until December 1916.[1] In March 1917, 43rd Indian Brigade was formed in the new division.[2] The brigade remained on the North West Frontier throughout the
First World War but was mobilized with 16th Indian Division to take part in the
Third Anglo-Afghan War.[3]
In September 1920, the brigade was redesignated as 21st Indian Infantry Brigade – not to be confused with an identically designated but unrelated
21st Indian Infantry Brigade of the Second World War. In 1923, the brigade took over responsibility for the
Jubbulpore Brigade Area.[4]
Orders of battle
First World War units
The brigade commanded the following units during the
First World War:[5]
Mahindra Dal Battalion[b](joined in April 1917 from the Nepalese Brigade in 7th Meerut Divisional Area; transferred in May to
45th (Jullundur) Brigade)
2nd Battalion, 12th Pioneers (The Kelat-i-Ghilzai Regiment) (joined in December 1917 from Lahore; transferred in March 1918 for 45th (Jullundur) Brigade)
Third Anglo-Afghan War units
July 1918 plans saw the brigade mobilizing with the following units:[3]
^
abcdeThe 1st Rifle Battalion, the Pasupati Prasad Battalion, the Sri Nath Battalion and the Mahindra Dal Battalion were units of the
Nepalese Army.[7]