Raja Amani Singh was great freedom fighter and chieftain of Thakurela clan of Jats from Gahlau, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh . He fought against British rule in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh in the revolt of 1857. He was coroneted as Raja of the Iglas, Khair and nearby region by the Jat community at Aligarh. He was an audacious warrior and was skilled in wrestling,horse riding,sword fighting and spear fighting.It is said by the local historians that he was so brave that he could fight with swords in both hands while riding a horse without holding its rein. He was having a horse whose tales are cherished by the people of Aligarh and nearby districts,that horse was so ferocious when Amani sat on its back and fought in the battle,that horse itself also started killing britishers.
Raja Amani Singh united the both factions of Thakurela Jats which were Atthaeesi and Baeesi and made them fight against Britishers.
•Role in 1857 freedom movement :-
In the freedom movement of 1857 Britishers in addition with Gwalior contingents and Sowars attacked Aligarh under Major Burtlon to subdue Thakur Amani Singh but his attacks were repelled for few months by Thakur Amani Singh. Thakur Amani Singh commanded his army to snatch the weapons of British and allied forces.
He attacked and captured the Tehsils of Iglas,Khair and Koil.Britishers after failing various times retaliated in heavy numbers during rainy season which lead to destruction of match lock guns of Jat army under Thakur Amani Singh.He was captured by Britishers and trialed at Koil Magistrate office and hanged to death.
Reference :-
• Aligarh District: A Historical Survey, from Ancient Times to 1803 A.D. , p. 16
• The Jat Rulers of Upper Doab: Three Centuries of Aligarh Jat Nobility , p. 179,211
• Freedom Struggle in Uttar Pradesh: Western districts and Rohilkhand, 1857-59 , p. 664
• Elites in South Asia, p. 23