Vinjay Singh grew up on the streets of Delhi, stealing and begging for survival, until taken into a British Government orphanage when he was about 8 years old. The child was educated and civilised in the British tradition, being taught English and basic mathematics.
When Singh came of age he was drafted into the 9th Bengal Lancers and was indoctrinated into the drill of the light horseman six years after the Indian Mutiny of 1857. Not a natural horseman, he became practised with the saber and the lance, and what he lacked in skill as a horseman, he made up for in heart and courage.
In service, Singh was mostly posted throughout India, but did see some action along the borders and a short abortive posting to Malta. When the Mahdi stirred up unrest in the Sudan the 9th Bengal Lancers headed the call and was part of the British force under Lieut-Col Palmer.
The 9th proved themselves a very effective cavalry regiment and were bettering their use of the lance.
When serving Captain Lockhart, Singh wears a long tunic with a wide trimmed front, not unlike his Lancer uniform. He wears the distinctive lungi (turban) wrapped around a pointed cap, a dark cummerbund round his waist and short riding boots.
Singh is a practising Sikh and his most priced possession is his Distinguished Service Medal, won for rescuing Captain Lockhart.
