The Bombay Engineer Group, or the ''Bombay Sappers'' as they are informally known, are a

regiment A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, military service, service, or administrative corps, specialisation. In Middle Ages, Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of l ...

of the Corps of Engineers of the

Indian Army The Indian Army (IA) (ISO 15919, ISO: ) is the Land warfare, land-based branch and largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Commander-in-Chief, Supreme Commander of the Indian Army, and its professional head ...

. The Bombay Sappers draw their origin from the erstwhile Bombay Presidency

army An army, ground force or land force is an armed force that fights primarily on land. In the broadest sense, it is the land-based military branch, service branch or armed service of a nation or country. It may also include aviation assets by ...

of the

British Raj The British Raj ( ; from Hindustani language, Hindustani , 'reign', 'rule' or 'government') was the colonial rule of the British The Crown, Crown on the Indian subcontinent, * * lasting from 1858 to 1947. * * It is also called Crown rule ...

. The group has its centre in Khadki,

Pune Pune ( ; , ISO 15919, ISO: ), previously spelled in English as Poona (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Maharashtra, the official name until 1978), is a city in the state of Maharashtra in the Deccan Plateau, Deccan plateau in Western ...

Maharashtra Maharashtra () is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa to the south, Telangana to th ...

state State most commonly refers to: * State (polity), a centralized political organization that regulates law and society within a territory **Sovereign state, a sovereign polity in international law, commonly referred to as a country **Nation state, a ...

. The Bombay Sappers have gone on to win many honours and awards, both in battle and in peacetime, throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, both before and after

Independence Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state, in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the status of ...

. The

gallantry award Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism, meritorious or outstanding service or achievement. A decoration is often a medal consisting of a ribbon and a medallion. Civil decorations awarde ...

s won include the British

Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom, British decorations system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British ...

and the French

Legion of Honour The National Order of the Legion of Honour ( ), formerly the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour (), is the highest and most prestigious French national order of merit, both military and Civil society, civil. Currently consisting of five cl ...

before independence, as well as the

Param Vir Chakra The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India's highest Awards and Decorations of the Indian Armed Forces, military decoration, awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime. Param Vir Chakra translates roughly as the "Wheel of Supre ...

and Ashok Chakra as part of Independent

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. The Group has also made its mark in peacetime activities such as sport, adventure, disaster relief, aid to civil authority and prestigious construction projects.

History

The Bombay Sappers draw their origins back to the late 18th century when the British had become a new force in the politics of

which then consisted of a large number of kingdoms and fiefdoms; the principal ones being the

Maratha confederacy The Maratha Empire, also referred to as the Maratha Confederacy, was an early modern polity in the Indian subcontinent. It comprised the realms of the Peshwa and four major independent Maratha states under the nominal leadership of the former. ...

Mysore Mysore ( ), officially Mysuru (), is a city in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Mysore district and Mysore division. As the traditional seat of the Wadiyar dynasty, the city functioned as the capital of the ...

Hyderabad Hyderabad is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part of Southern India. With an average altitude of , much ...

and Berar, with British presidencies at

Bombay Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial centre, financial capital and the list of cities i ...

Madras Chennai, also known as Madras ( its official name until 1996), is the capital and largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. According to the 2011 Indian ce ...

and

Bengal Bengal ( ) is a Historical geography, historical geographical, ethnolinguistic and cultural term referring to a region in the Eastern South Asia, eastern part of the Indian subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. The region of Benga ...

in addition to their factories at

Surat Surat (Gujarati Language, Gujarati: ) is a city in the western Indian States and territories of India, state of Gujarat. The word Surat directly translates to ''face'' in Urdu, Gujarati language, Gujarati and Hindi. Located on the banks of t ...

. The British engaged in conflict with

Tipu Sultan Tipu Sultan (, , ''Sultan Fateh Ali Sahab Tipu''; 1 December 1751 – 4 May 1799) commonly referred to as Sher-e-Mysore or "Tiger of Mysore", was a ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore based in South India. He was a pioneer of rocket artillery ...

and later the Marathas, which along with diplomatic measures resulted in British overlordship over large parts of India. The earliest instance of recruitment of native sappers was the formation of a company of ''Pioneer Lascars'', comprising 100 men, in 1777 by Major Lawrence Nilson, the first Chief Engineer of the Bombay Presidency.Sandes (1948). Today, this company is known as the 18 Field Company and is part of the 106 Engineer Regiment. ''The Indian Sappers & Miners'', p. 29. Over the next few years, these newly born Lascars saw action mostly in skirmishes with the Marathas. Soon after being recognised as a Pioneer Corps in 1781,Babayya et al. (2006) ''A Tradition of Valour'' p. 3. they participated in 1782–84 expedition to the Malabar coast against

's forces in the Second Mysore War and also saw action in the Third Mysore War, when they served at

Calicut Kozhikode (), also known as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. Known as the City of Spices, Kozhikode is listed among the City of Literature, UNESCO's Cities of Literature. It is the nineteenth large ...

and at the first siege of Seringapatam.Sandes (1948). ''The Indian Sappers & Miners'', pp. 32–33. In 1797, the Bombay Pioneer Corps was organised afresh with four companies of 100 men each, under Captain-Lieutenant Bryce Moncrieff (Bo.E.) into which the Pioneer Lascars were wholly absorbed. The Bombay Pioneers rendered sterling service in road construction and survey of the Malabar and

Kanara Kanara or Canara, also known as Karāvali, is the historically significant stretch of land situated by the southwestern Konkan coast of India, alongside the Arabian Sea in the present-day Indian state of Karnataka. The subregion comprises thr ...

for some years, in the midst of which they participated with merit in the Fourth Mysore War (1799), participating in the defense of Manatana, Battle of Seedaseer and the siege and capture of Seringapatam. The Bombay Pioneers next saw service in 1803 during the Second Maratha War under Sir Arthur Wellesley, later the

Duke of Wellington Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and above sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they ar ...

, excelling at Gawilgarh and rendering sterling service in the many campaigns by maintaining lines of communication and helping the heavy cannons reach the battlefield. The successful defeat of Maratha ambitions South of the Vindhyas was followed by stringent economisation in 1807 which found the Bombay Pioneers reduced to only one company,Sandes (1948). ''The Indian Sappers & Miners'', p. 50. till, in 1812, the inescapable demands of a vibrant and growing Presidency led to the Corps being increased to a strength of four companies, Numbers 1 to 4.Sandes (1948). ''The Indian Sappers & Miners'', p. 53. Soon after during the Third Maratha War (1818–1820), the four companies paid a vital role in the capture of the erstwhile Peshwa's territories by the reduction of as many as 33 forts in the Konkan, Khandesh and Deccan.Sandes (1948). ''The Indian Sappers & Miners'', p. 75. Impending operations in Central India led to the Corps being expanded to six companies in 1819 and to eight companies in 1822 when they were officially recognised as a battalion.Sandes (1948). ''The Indian Sappers & Miners'', p. 85. Besides the Bombay Pioneers, a separate company of Engineer Lascars had been raised in 1820 and designated as 'Sappers and Miners Company'.Sandes (1948). ''The Indian Sappers & Miners'', pp. 85–86. This field company was the first Bombay Sapper unit to proceed abroad when in 1821 it sailed for operations against pirates on the

Arabia The Arabian Peninsula (, , or , , ) or Arabia, is a peninsula in West Asia, situated north-east of Africa on the Arabian plate. At , comparable in size to India, the Arabian Peninsula is the largest peninsula in the world. Geographically, the ...

n coast and earned for itself the first

battle honour A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or Military operation, operation on its flags ("colours"), uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible. In ...

of the Corps, '' Beni Boo Alli''. In 1826, a second company was raised and the 'Sappers & Miners' made into the ''Engineer Corps'' in 1829.Sandes (1948). ''The Indian Sappers & Miners'', p. 108. Earlier, in 1803, a pontoon train had been raised by the British at Bombay to help with the crossing of the rivers of the Deccan in monsoon. This proved unable to keep up with the swift movement of infantry and cavalry characteristic of Sir Arthur Wellesley's manoeuvres, but later proved to be useful for operations in

Gujarat Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...

.Sandes (1948). ''The Indian Sappers & Miners'', p. 38. This too was merged with the Engineer Corps. In 1830 the Bombay Pioneers were reduced from eight to six companies and the pioneer companies merged into the Engineer Corps.Sandes (1948). ''The Indian Sappers & Miners'', p. 109. The Engineer Corps was reduced in strength yet again in 1834 as part of a general retrenchment to just one Sapper & Miner and three Pioneer companies. Soon after in 1839, the Bombay Engineer companies took part in operations in

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the Durand Line, east and south, Iran to the Afghanistan–Iran borde ...

, distinguishing themselves at Ghuznee and Khelat. In 1840, all the pioneer companies were converted into Sappers & Miners and the 'Engineer Corps' renamed as the ''Bombay Sappers & Miners''.Sandes (1948). ''The Indian Sappers & Miners'', p. 164. The Corps took part in many operations both in India and abroad, the long list of battle and theatre honours earned giving an idea of the sterling service rendered by the Corps both in peace and war. In the 19th century and prior to World War I, the Bombay Sappers served in

Persia Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...

, Abyssinia, China,

Somaliland Somaliland, officially the Republic of Somaliland, is an List of states with limited recognition, unrecognised country in the Horn of Africa. It is located in the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden and bordered by Djibouti to the northwest, E ...

; in India fought in the

Maratha The Marathi people (; Marathi: , ''Marāṭhī lōk'') or Marathis (Marathi: मराठी, ''Marāṭhī'') are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group who are native to Maharashtra in western India. They natively speak Marathi, an Indo-A ...

and Anglo-Sikh Wars; fought in the aftermath of the ''

Mutiny Mutiny is a revolt among a group of people (typically of a military or a crew) to oppose, change, or remove superiors or their orders. The term is commonly used for insubordination by members of the military against an officer or superior, ...

'' in Mhow,

Jhansi Jhansi ( ) is a historic city in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. (Toshan) Balwant Nagar was the old name of Jhansi. It lies in the region of Bundelkhand, on the banks of the Pahuj River, in the extreme ...

, Saugor and

Kathiawar Kathiawar (), also known as Saurashtra, is a peninsula in the south-western Gujarat state in India, bordering the Arabian Sea and covering about . It is bounded by the Kutch district in the north, the Gulf of Kutch in the northwest, and by the ...

and many times over in the

Punjab Punjab (; ; also romanised as Panjāb or Panj-Āb) is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia. It is located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising areas of modern-day eastern Pakistan and no ...

, North West Frontier Province and

. In the 1903 reorganisation of the Indian Army, the Corps was renamed in the newly unified Indian Army as the ''3rd Sappers & Miners''. A mistaken interpretation of the historic records led to the Bombay Sappers being considered as junior to the Madras and Bengal Sappers whereas they could trace an unbroken descent from before the Madras or Bengal Sappers were formed; the case for reversion being taken up a number of times unsuccessfully, presumably due to inadequate records of the services of the Corps in the late 18th century. The Bombay Sappers expanded greatly during the 'Great War' to meet a large number of Indian engineer troops required by the Empire. The Bombay Sappers fought against the Germans and the Turks in Europe, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Aden, Persia, East Africa and also in Afghanistan, Baluchistan and the North West Frontier Province, winning as many as 29 battle and theatre honours. The very large losses of 20 and 21 Field Companies in Europe in 1914–15 led to the Malerkotla Sappers & Miners joining the Corps where they remained affiliated till 1945 when all state forces sapper companies were transferred to the Bengal Sappers ostensibly on grounds of administrative convenience. In recognition of the prodigious contribution of the Bombay Sappers in World War I, the title 'Royal' was bestowed on the Corps in 1921 and they became the ''3rd Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners''. The numeral ''3rd'' was removed in 1923 and the Corps became the ''Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners'' and were so-called right until the end of World War II. The Second World War once again saw a great wartime expansion and the Bombay Sappers fought the Germans, Italians and the Japanese in Malaya, Singapore,

Burma Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and ha ...

, Abyssinia,

Eritrea Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa, with its capital and largest city being Asmara. It is bordered by Ethiopia in the Eritrea–Ethiopia border, south, Sudan in the west, and Dj ...

, North Africa, Syria,

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

and

Greece Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...

. After independence, the Group became part of the Corps of Engineers of the Army of independent India. The Bombay Engineers is the only engineers who have a Parachute Field Company, that is 411 (Independent) Parachute Field Company of 50th (Independent) Parachute Brigade situated in

Agra Agra ( ) is a city on the banks of the Yamuna river in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, about south-east of the national capital Delhi and 330 km west of the state capital Lucknow. With a population of roughly 1.6 million, Agra is the ...

Stamp of India - 1990 - Colnect 164133 - Gallantry Medals

Lineage

The Bombay Sappers & Miners emerged from the amalgamation of two lineages, firstly, that of the Pioneer Lascars, raised in 1777, and secondly, the Sappers & Miners, raised in 1803 as a Pontoon Train. ; Pioneer Lascars * 1777 - Pioneer Lascars * 1781 - Pioneer Corps * 1797 - Bombay Pioneer Corps (4 companies) * 1807 - Bombay Pioneer Corps (1 company) * 1812 - Bombay Pioneer Corps (4 companies) * 1819 - Bombay Pioneer Corps (6 companies) * 1820 - Bombay Pioneer Corps (8 companies) (Official date of recognition) ; Sappers & Miners * 1803 - Pontoon train * 1817 - Sappers & Miners * 1820 - No 1 Company, Sappers & Miners * 1826 - No 2 Company, Sappers & Miners * 1829 - Engineer Corps ; Amalgamation & after * 1830 - Amalgamation of Sappers & Pioneers * 1840 - Bombay Sappers & Miners * 1903 - 3rd Sappers and Miners * 1921 - 3rd Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners * 1923 - Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners * 1932 - Amalgamation of 2nd Bombay Pioneers and 3rd Sikh Pioneers (disbanded). * 1941 - Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners Group * 1946 - Bombay Sappers and Miners Group, Royal Indian Engineers * 1950 - Bombay Engineer Group & Centre, Corps of Engineers

Battle and Theatre honours

The list of battle and theatre honours of the Bombay Sappers are as follows:

Pre-World War I

World War I

World War II

Post-Indian Independence

Regimental details

Class composition

The Group presently has the following class composition: *

s - 40%, * Mazhabi and Ramdasia

Sikh Sikhs (singular Sikh: or ; , ) are an ethnoreligious group who adhere to Sikhism, a religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Guru Nanak. The term ''Si ...

s - 40%, * Hindustani Mussalmans - 10%, * other Indian castes - 10%.

Centre

The training centre, titled Bombay Engineer Group and Centre, is located in Khadki near

Gallantry awards

Pre-Independence

- 3 *

- 0 * Medaille Militare - 3

Post-Independence

- 1 * Ashok Chakra - 1

Notes

References

Bibliography

* 1996. ''A brief history of the Bombay Engineer Group''. The Bombay Engineering Group & Centre, Khadki, Pune. Preface & 95 pages. *, , & (eds) 2006 ''A Tradition of Valour 1820–2006 – an illustrated saga of the Bombay Sappers''. The Bombay Engineering Group & Centre, Khadki, Pune. I to xvii. 280 pages. * 1948. ''The Indian Sappers and Miners''. The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham. 726 pp, 31 plates, 51 campaign maps/plans inside and 3 general maps in the end jacket pocket. * 1993.''Battle Honours of the Indian Army 1757–1971''. Vision Books, New Delhi. Pages 372 with 24 Maps, Appendices A to F, Bibliography & Index. *, and 1999. ''The Royal Bombay Sappers & Miners 1939–1947''. The Royal Bombay Sappers & Miners Officers Association. 640 pages and 66 maps.

External links

The Bombay Sapper song

The Bombay Sapper regimental association
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bombay Engineer Group * Regiments of the Indian Army Indian Army Corps of Engineers E