[3][4] Mahmud Khan was born to Ghaus Khan, also known as Mian Ghausa, who served in the army of Sardar Maha Singh, chief of Sukerchakia Misl.

[6] Mahmud Khan's military career started when he was quite young.

[7] In 1799, Ranjit Singh and his mother-in-law, Sada Kaur liberated Lahore from the Bhangi Misl and was proclaimed the Maharaja of Punjab in 1801.

[8][9] He showed exceptional bravery during the Battle of Multan (1818) whose command was assigned to Prince Kharak Singh and his mother, Maharani Datar Kaur.

After the annexation of the Punjab into British India, Sultan Mahmud Khan retired.