During the First World War, the 21st Kohat Mountain Battery fought with great distinction at Gallipoli, Egypt, Mesopotamia and Persia. For its outstanding performance in the war, it was awarded the title of ‘Royal’ in 1922. After the war, it again saw service on the Northwest Frontier. During the Second World War, it fought in the Burma Campaign as part of the 17th Indian Division. In 1944, it became an exclusively Punjabi Muslim unit.