Uhlans (in Polish: Ułan also spelled "Ulan", German, from Turkish oğlan http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/uhlan Merriam-Webster Online - Uhlan article) were originally Polish light cavalry soldiers armed with lances, sabres, pistols, rifles; later they also served in the Prussian and Austrian armies. Similar troops also existed in other European armies, where they were rather known as "lancers".