Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s2.t25.2

v2.c10.s2.t25.2

Amar Singh’s upbringing in a royal set up exposed him to the culture and ethos of ‘martial’ Rajputs. He was inducted in the Jodhpur Lancers – the cavalry of the Jodhpur State. In 1900, the Lancers were deputed to China to join the Allied Expeditionary Force along with other British Indian forces to suppress the Boxer Rebellion. As a *rissaldar* (Junior Commissioned Officer) in the cavalry, he accompanied Sir Pratap Singh, the commander of the Jodhpur Lancers. This facilitated his entry to the exclusive British social and political space as a military officer and a member of nobility. After his return from China, he continued his military career by joining the first batch of the Imperial Cadet Corps (ICC) which was commissioned in 1901 by the British as an independent native army of the princely states. He served in wars at Europe, Iran and Afghanistan as a military officer. In spite of his valiant services, he was however denied honourable mention and promotion by the British. Provoked by racial injustice he resigned from the service and finally joined the Jaipur State after the ascension of Sawai Man Singh.