---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Brig Suryanarayanan <>
*The following piece is from a Coursemate, Bombay Sappers:* During the early 19th century in Bombay there was a Marine Battalion living in what was called Marine Lines, even today, so designated. The 10th Marine Battalion was this battalion which was part of the Bombay Pioneers?. Sometime in 1850s their wooden barracks got burnt down. It was rebuilt but got burnt down again around 1860s. The Governor General of Bombay Presidency was furious that he banned them to the forest called Colaba Woods. At that time it had no approach except during low tide when a sort of causeway appeared. This uninhabited forest had a few leopards and other wild life. This was a punishment meted out to the battalion for the fires that destroyed their quarters. A causeway was constructed shortly after the battalion moved there. This was a major base for British troops to which they were sent from Britain and repatriated at the end of their service. The Brits built the Afghan and Catholic Churches for their garrison. Even today there are many buildings existing that were built more than a hundred years ago. One of them is Colaba Barracks, recently renamed as The Nest which houses short term ex servicemen visitors to Mumbai. When the Brits formed their Naval Fleet they based them in the harbour at Naval Dockyards which one enters through the Lions Gate. Their office was built close to Ballard Pier (now Western Naval Command). Naval Guns were placed on two small partly man made islands next to Colaba which formed the Coastal Battery. The Western Naval Chief’s accommodation came up next to where Regal Cinema is today. Most of the Naval officers initially lived on Wodehouse Road for many years till proper accommodation came up in Colaba in part of the old Army land. More Naval units, offices and accommodation came up in Colaba which still exist today. 10th Marine Battalion was amalgamated into Bombay Engineer Group after the Bombay Pioneers were disbanded. All this is written in the History of Bombay Pioneers, a copy of the book is in BEG and Centre? which I read when I was involved with the publication of the post Independence history of the Bombay sappers. -- Dr Marianne de Nazareth Former Asst. Editor, The Deccan Herald.
