ULAN (formerly spelt Uhlan)  , originally a Polish cavalry soldier armed with a lance . These troops were light cavalry. and wore the national dress and czapka (or lancer cap) . They were introduced into the Prussian service in 1740, but failed to distinguish themselves in the first Silesian War, and it was only after the treaty of Tilsit (1807) that Ulan regiments were again formed in the Prussian army . In the Austrian army a " Uhlanpulk " of Poles was formed in 1784 and ordinary Ulan regiments of Austrian cavalry in 1791 . The Austrian Ulans no longer carry the lance . In the German army of to-day Ulans are classed as heavy cavalry and wear the distinctive lancer dress inherited from the original Polish light horse .