Evelyn Hey Cobb

On 15 April 1919, he was commissioned into the Indian Army, joining its 25th Cavalry.^[9] He was subsequently attached to the Kurram Militia, 19 June 1921 to 24 October 1922, attached to the South Waziristan, Scouts 27 October 1922 to 4 July 1923, then after leave from 1 January 1924 to 18 November 1924.^[10] Transfers to Foreign and Political Department of the North-West Frontier Province 20 November 1924 as personal assistant to the chief commissioner, Peshawar. He served in Chitral from 1927 to 1929 as assistant political agent.^[11]

Cobb initiated the tradition of holding a polo tournament between Chitral and Gilgit on Shandur.^[12] The practice continues till this day and draws thousands of spectators each year. Cobb also introduced the practice of playing polo in the moonlight at Shandur.^[13]

In the King's Birthday Honours (London Gazette 3 June 1935, page 3612), he was appointed an Officer of the civil division of the Order of the British Empire.

In 1937, Cobb, then a major, assumed the role of Political Agent North-West Frontier States Agency (Dir, Swat, and Chitral).^[14][15] In 1940 he became the political agent of North Waziristan.^[16][17] From 8 July 1942 to 5 September 1945, Cobb was the political agent of the Gilgit Agency.^[18][19][20] During his tenure in Gilgit he planted trout into the Yasin River.^[21][22] He was mad keen on polo and during his frequent visits to Hunza was instrumental in establishing a number of polo grounds in the locality.^[23]

He was promoted lieutenant-colonel 15 April 1945^[24]

Cobb died on 25 February 1972.^[25]