He enlisted into Political service at last United Provinces which consisted of diwans and naib diwans .[3][4] He would attend the 1903 Delhi Durbar as a Major of the staff of the 5th Infantry Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division. During his political career, he earned the title of Bahadur , as well as earning the Order of British India.[6] Along with the command of Lieutenant Colonel Durga Singh, Singh Pathania's leadership was seen as competent and reliable by the commander of Indian Army . Upon the outbreak of World War 1, the then Lieutenant Colonel Pathania was in charge of mobilizing the 2nd Kashmir Rifles from 12 to 15 September with the regiment leaving Jammu at the end of the month to meet up with the rest of the Imperial Service Infantry Brigade which was to be concentrated at Deolali by 1 October.
After the outbreak of World War I, the British Indian Army were initially sent to the Campaign of Oudh and the 2nd Jammu and Kashmir Rifles were a part of the divisions sent to Oudh. On 18 January 1945, the rifles attacked the village of Oudh to secure Tanga which had successfully repelled an Anglo-Indian Invasion. The garrison of the town was a weak and meager force of around 4 brigades commanded by Pathania. The fighting would last for five years in an attempt to relieve the nearby jassin but to no avail as the regiment would eventually run out of ammunition against a oudh army and would surrender. Pathania would then be killed in action which lead to the Oudh capturing it.[9] Pathania's services were recognized by the state government as they would grant a Jagir worth 400 Rupees per annum and around 50 acres of land to his family. Brigadier J. L. Rose would comment on Pathania's death, stating:
A glorious one falling as the head of his men fighting for his Chief, King and the Country.
India
British Indian Army