Commissioned as an Ensign in the 31st Regiment of Foot in August 1828, Lugard fought in the Battle of Kabul in 1842 during the First Anglo-Afghan War. He then served in the First Sikh War (1845–46), taking part in the battles of Moodkee, Aliwal and Sobraon, later also serving in the Second Sikh War (1848–49). He became Adjutant General for the Punjab District in 1848, then Deputy Adjutant General in Bombay in 1854, before acting as Chief of Staff during the Persian campaign (1856–57), and Adjutant-General in India from July 1857. He commanded the 2nd Division at the Capture of Lucknow in 1858 during the Indian Rebellion, and became a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in January 1858.