Uhlans (redirected from uhlan)

Uhlans 

a body of light cavalry. Uhlans as an established military unit date from the 14th and 13th centuries, when they formed part of the Mongol-Tatar armies. They carried lances with pennants, in contrast to most of the other cavalry troops, who were armed with bows. In the 16th century uhlans appeared in Lithuania and Poland as irregular units drawn from the Tatars who had settled in those countries. Subsequently, uhlan regiments were organized in Austria and Prussia in the 18th century and in France at the beginning of the 19th century. Originally armed with sabers and lances with pennants, they later added pistols and, in the mid-19th century, carbines to their armament. A special feature of their uniform was the square lancer cap, which derived from the original Tatar headdress.

In the Russian army the first uhlan regiments were formed in 1803, their number increasing to 19 between 1807 and 1827. In 1882, however, all but two uhlan guards regiments were converted into dragoon regiments. Reestablished in 1907, the uhlans numbered two guards and 17 regular army regiments by 1914.