It was formed in December 1916, during the First World War.

It was the only war formed division of the British Indian Army that was not sent overseas,[a] instead it was sent to guard the North West Frontier.

The division took over the responsibilities of the 3rd Lahore Divisional Area when it was disbanded in May 1917.

The 16th Division was called into action for the Waziristan Campaign in 1917, the 45th (Jullundur) Brigade under command of Brigadier Reginald Dyer were responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

[4] The division was not reformed for the Second World War.