| Evelyn Hey Cobb | |
| Birth Date: | 15 September 1899 |
| Birth Place: | Simla, India |
| Death Place: | England |
| Allegiance: | / British Empire |
| Branch: | British Indian Army |
| Serviceyears: | 1919–1947 |
| Rank: | Lieutenant-colonel |
| Awards: | Order of the British Empire |
Lieutenant-Colonel Evelyn Hey Cobb, OBE (15 September 1899 – 25 February 1972) was an officer in the British Indian Army and served as political administrator in various capacities in North-West India.[1] [2] He started the tradition of holding a polo festival at Shandur.[3] [4] [5]
Evelyn Hey Cobb was born on 15 September 1899 at Simla, India. His father, William Hey Cobb, was a member of the Indian Civil Service, a barrister from the Inner Temple who served as city magistrate in Lucknow India. Cobb received education from Winchester College and the Cadet College, Quetta.[6] [7] Cobb was a well-read man who enjoyed lengthy discourse and had a love for field sports, the countryside and the mountain. He was immensely fond of hunting, fishing and polo.[8]
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]