Military Operations of 16th Bombay Native Infantry The 16th Bombay Native Infantry was amalgamated with the 18th Indian Division during the First Wold War. The army men valiantly participated in the Campaign to Mesopotamia during the Great War. The regiment was also engaged in the military operations at the Fat-ha Gorge, as well as on the Little Zab. The troops also fought in the Battle of Sharqat in October 1918. Development of 16th Bombay Native Infantry After the end of World War I, the British Indian Government restructured the military force. The single battalion infantry regiments were merged together and converted to larger multi battalion infantry regiments. In the year 1922, the 116th Mahrattas regiment was re-designated as the 4th Battalion 5th Mahratta Light Infantry. After India attained freedom from the political rule of the British Empire, the country was divided into 2 geographical divisions. As a outcome of the Partition of India, the Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan were created. Consequently, several regiments of the British Indian Army were also divided among the modern armies of Pakistan and India. The 16th Bombay Native Infantry was allocated to the independent army of India in 1947. Designations of 16th Bombay Native Infantry The 16th Bombay Native Infantry underwent many changes in the designation and title during the re-grouping and reorganisation of the British Indian Army. They are mentioned as follows- * 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry in 1800 * 16th Bombay Native Infantry in 1824 * 16th Bombay Infantry in 1885 * 116th Mahrattas in 1903 * 4th Battalion 5th Mahratta Light Infantry in 1922 |