The 14th Bombay Native Infantry was an former infantry battalion that was established by the English East India Company. It was raised in the year 1806 and remained in active service till the year 1922. The battalion was sub division of the Bombay Native Infantry that functioned under the Bombay Army. The army of Bombay Presidency was one of the 3 major Presidency Armies in British India. The regiment remained under the administrative authority of the British East India Company till the Sepoy Mutiny in the year 1857. But after the Indian Rebellion, the Government of India Act 1858 was authorised, and all the regiments came under the administrative authority of the British Empire in India. The military group was incorporated as a part of the British Indian Army in the year 1903. The 14th Bombay Native Infantry was also known as the 114th Mahrattas regiment.
Military Operations of 14th Bombay Native Infantry
The 14th Bombay Native Infantry regiment was raised as the 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry in the year 1800. The men of the military unit provided significant services during the First World War. The regiment was joined with the 17th Indian Division and took part in the Mesopotamia Campaign. The troops also participated in the conflict at Fat-ha Gorge and the Little Zab and later fought in the Battle of Sharqat in the year 1918.
Development of 14th Bombay Native Infantry
After the end of World War I, the British administration in India undertook a major re-organisation of the British Indian Army. Several large multi battalion regiments were created by joining the single infantry battalion regiments. Hence the 114th Mahrattas regiment, was renamed as the 10th (Training) Battalion 5th Mahratta Light Infantry In the year 1922.
After the Indian independence and the Partition of India on 15th August 1947, the regiments of the erstwhile British Indian Army were divided among the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India. The 14th Bombay Native Infantry was assigned to the modern Indian Army.
Designations of 14th Bombay Native Infantry
The designations and titles held by the 14th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry through out its service under the British Indian Army, are discussed as follows-
* 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry - 1800
* 14th Bombay Native Infantry - 1824
* 14th Bombay Infantry - 1885
* 114th Mahrattas - 1903
* 10th (Training) Battalion 5th Mahratta Light Infantry - 1922
