This formation did not see service in a theatre of war. After being under consideration for nine months but with constant demands for units from India for service in Mesopotamia, it finally came into existence in December 1916. It was co-located with the Lahore Divisional Area. When the Area was abolished in May 1916, 16th Indian Division took over its former responsibilities and came under orders of Northern Army. The latter became Northern Command in January 1918.
On 13 April 1919, men of the division’s 45th (Jullundur) Brigade were responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh, or Amritsar, massacre, under orders of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer.
In May 1919, the division was finally mobilised and structured as follow, for duty in the Third Afghan War. Units marked * are British, the rest are Indian.
- Divisional Headquarters
- 43rd Indian Infantry Brigade:
- 2/6th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment*
- 2/10th Jats
- 2/27th Punjabis
- 1/124th Baluchis
- 44th Indian Infantry Brigade:
- Kent*
- 1/30th Punjabis
- 2/30th Punjabis
- 1/6th Jats
- 45th Indian Infantry Brigade
- 1/25th Battalion London Regiment
- 2/41st Dogras
- 2/72nd Punjabis
- 2/150th Infantry
- Divisional Troops
- One squadron of 4th Cavalry
- 2/61st Pioneers