The 28th Bombay Native Infantry was an infantry battalion that was raised by the British East India Company. The unit was formed in the year 1846 and remained in active service till the year 1922. It was sub division of the Bombay Native Infantry under the Bombay Army. The military of the province of Bombay (now Mumbai) was one of the 3 major Presidency Armies in British India. The Bombay Presidency Army functioned under the administrative authority of the British East India Company till the Great Revolt of 1857. But after the Sepoy Mutiny and the Government of India Act 1858, the regiment came under the control of the British Empire in India. Later in the year 1903, the army unit was incorporated as a part of the United British Indian Army. The 28th Bombay Native Infantry was also known as the 128th Pioneers regiment.
History of 28th Bombay Native Infantry
The 28th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry was founded as the 28th Bombay Native Infantry in the year 1846. The first military action of the troops was during the Second Afghan War. It took part in the Battle of Kandahar in Afghanistan. The regiment was posted in Egypt and participated in the Sudan Campaign in 1885. The battalion also significantly served during the Battle of Suakin and the Battle of Tofrek.
Later the 128th Pioneers regiment went back to British India and became a part of the united force that took part in the Tirah Campaign in the year 1897. The men of the infantry battalion also provided valuable military service during the First World War. The troops were stationed at Egypt with the objective of protecting the Suez Canal from the attacks of the Turkish armed forces. Initially the 28th Bombay Native Infantry was merged with the 10th Indian Division; however in 1916, the unit became a part of the 11th Indian Division.
Development of 28th Bombay Native Infantry
The British Government of India restructured all the regiments of the British Indian Army in 1922, after the end of World War I. Several multi battalion regiments consisting of four to six battalions were developed by the amalgamation of the single battalion regiments. The 28th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry was renamed as the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Bombay Pioneers in the year 1922. The military unit was eventually dissolved in the year 1932.
Designations of 28th Bombay Native Infantry
The 28th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry held numerous designations and titles through out its service under the British Indian Army. These are discussed as follows-
* 28th Bombay Native Infantry in 1846
* 28th Bombay Infantry in 1885
* 28th (Pioneer) Regiment of Bombay Infantry in 1888
* 28th Bombay Pioneers in 1901
* 128th Pioneers in 1903
* 3rd Battalion, 2nd Bombay Pioneers in 1922
* Disbanded in 1932
