The 5th Bombay Native Infantry, also known as the 105th Mahratta Light Infantry, was an erstwhile infantry unit of the British Indian Army. The regiment was formed by the British East India Company in 1788 as the 3rd Battalion, Bombay Sepoys. It was a part of the Bombay Command. The unit also served as a division of the Bombay Native Infantry of the Bombay Army, one of the Presidency Armies in British India. The Bombay Presidency Army functioned under the authority of the Honourable British East India Company until the end of the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857. But after the Indian Rebellion, the Government of India Act 1858 was institutionalised and the regiment came under the control of the British Empire in India. Later in the year 1903, the 5th Bombay Native Infantry was included as a part of the United British Indian Army. The army unit remained in existence till the year 1922.
Military Operations of 5th Bombay Native Infantry
The troops of the infantry group first participated in the Mysore Campaign during the Third Mysore War. Later they fought in the Battle of Seringapatam and the Battle of Seedaseer during the Fourth Mysore War. Later in 1821, the unit provided military service during the Beni Boo Ali campaign and fought against the pirates in the Persian Gulf and the Eastern Arabia. The 105th Mahratta Light Infantry also took part in the Siege of Kahun during the First Anglo Afghan War. During the Second Opium War, the 5th Bombay Native Infantry was stationed in China. Later the troops were supported in the annexation of Burma during the 2nd Burmese War.
Development of 5th Bombay Native Infantry
After the First World War, the entire line of the British Indian Army was re-organised by the British Government of India. The single battalion units were combined together in order to raise larger multi battalion infantry regiments that consisted of 4 to 6 battalions. Thus, the 5th Bombay Native Infantry was re-designated as the 2nd Battalion 5th Mahratta Light Infantry in the year 1922.
After the Indian independence and the Partition of India in the year 1947, the former British India was separated into the Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. Accordingly, the regiments of the British Indian Army were also divided among the 2 nations. The 105th Mahratta Light Infantry was assigned to the modern army of India.
Designations of 5th Bombay Native Infantry
The 5th Regiment of the Bombay Native Infantry regiment went through many modifications in its designation and title during the restructuring and re-grouping of the British Indian Army. They are listed below-
* 3rd Battalion, Bombay Sepoys in 1788
* 1st Battalion, 3rd Bombay Native Infantry in 1796
* 5th Bombay Native Infantry in 1824
* 5th Bombay Native (Light) Infantry in 1841
* 5th Bombay (Light) Infantry in 1885
* 5th Bombay Light Infantry in 1901
* 105th Mahratta Light Infantry in 1903
* 2nd Battalion 5th Mahratta Light Infantry in 1922
