The Mohmand Pashtuns, during the first five years of British colonial rule in Peshawar, gave more trouble than almost any other tribe. Among them was Nur Gul, a chief of the Halimzai Mohmands. In early 1850, an attack on British government positions was launched by Nur Gul, causing heavy casualties to the British. In July 1851, he carried out further successful depredations in the British-ruled area.
In June 1852, a British artist created a sketch of Nur Gul Mohmand for The Illustrated London News. The report described him as follows:
"Noor Gool bore an active part in the recent disturbances on this frontier. He is quiet at present; but how long to continue is more than the wisest of us can say. It appears that Noor Gool, with some other chiefs, had come in to treat with the civil authorities, and advantage was taken of this circumstance to obtain his evidence at the trial of an European officer for alleged misconduct during a night attack by a party of Momunds on the village of Shubkudder, in the month of March, as mentioned in the Illustrated London News of the 5th June. The accompanying sketch was taken during the sitting of the Court in the cause alluded to."
On July 12th, 1852, Nur Gul and other chiefs of the Halimzai Mohmands reached an agreement with the British. The treaty (No. CXV of Aitchison's Collection) states:
"Ahmad Sher, Noor Gul, Mukarram Huboo, Rahimdad, and seven other 'Maliks' of the Halimzai engage to pay a yearly tribute of two hundred rupees and promise obedience and service to the Government. If any fault be proved against them, they hold themselves liable to punishment. They consider the friends of the Government to be their friends, and the Government’s enemies their foes. To this purpose they executed this Agreement on 12th July 1852."
Source: A Collection of Treaties, Engagements, and Sunnuds, Relating to India and Neighbouring Countries, 1863, p. 397.
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