The 7th Bombay Native Infantry was an erstwhile infantry regiment of the United British Indian Army. The unit was formed by the Honourable British East India Company in 1788 as the 4th Battalion, Bombay Sepoys. It was a division of the Bombay Native Infantry of the Bombay Army, which was one of the Presidency Armies in British India. The Bombay Presidency Army functioned under the administrative authority of the British East India Company till the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. But after the Mutiny and the authorisation of the Government of India Act 1858, the regiment came under the control of the British Empire in India. Later in 1903, the army unit was incorporated as a part of the United British Indian Army. The 7th Bombay Native Infantry was also known as the 107th Pioneers regiment. The regiment remained in existence till the year 1922.
Military Operations of 7th Bombay Native Infantry
The 7th Bombay Native Infantry actively served during the Third Mysore War. Later the troops also fought in 2 main battles, namely the Battle of Seringapatam and the Battle of Seedaseer during the Fourth Anglo Mysore War. Then the unit was united with the forces in the annexation of Burma during the Second Burmese War.
Development of 7th Bombay Native Infantry
After the end of the First World War, the British Government of India re-organised the complete line of the British Indian Army. The single battalion units were combined together in order to raise larger multi battalion infantry regiments that consisted of 4 to 6 battalions. Consequently, the 7th Bombay Native Infantry was renamed as the 1st Battalion 2nd Bombay Pioneers in the year 1922. Later the regiment was dissolved for economical reasons in 1933.
Designations of 7th Bombay Native Infantry
The 7th Bombay Native Infantry regiment went through various changes in its designation and title during the reorganisation and re-grouping of the British Indian Army. They are listed below-
* 4th Battalion, Bombay Sepoys - 1788
* 1st Battalion, 4th Bombay Native Infantry - 1796
* 7th Bombay Native Infantry - 1824
* 7th Bombay Infantry - 1885
* 7th Bombay Infantry (Pioneers) - 1900
* 107th Pioneers - 1903
* 1st Battalion, 2nd Bombay Pioneers - 1922
