The Bombay Engineers Group, popularly known as the'Bombay Sappers', is one of the thre Groups of the Corps of Engineers. The origin of the Group can be tracedback to a Company of Pioneer Lascars raised in Bombay in 1777. Recognising the services rendered by the Group during the first World War, the titleRoyal was awardedto it in 1921. This title was, however, dropped in 1950. Initially organised at Bombay, the Group has been located in Kirkee since 1837. The Group has participated in operations, in diverse areas in the deserts of Iraq, Iran and Rajasthan, the snowy desolateness of Kashmir, the malaria infested jungles of Burma and Bangladesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and lately in Sri Lanka.

Within a year of re-organising, the Sappers and Miners were awarded their first BalltleHonour, the Beni Boo Ali, in Arabia in 1821. Since then, the Group has given an excellent account of itself with 34 Battle Honours and 25 Theatre Honours during pre-independence period and 2 Battle Honours (Rajauri and Sylhet) and 5 Theatre Honoursafter independence.

The first gallentry award given to an Indian Soldier was won by the Group at Ghazni in the first Afghan War, when six Bombay Sappers were awardedthe newly established Order of Merit. During the pre-independence period as many as 846 awards were won by the Group, among them 3 Victoria Crosses, 563 and 654 gallent heroes of the Group laid down their lives in the first and second World Wars, respectively. In the post-independence period, the Group is accredited with 1 Param Vir Chakra, 1 Ashok Chakra, 9 PVSMs, 4 Kirti Chakras, 22 AVSMs, 7 Vir Chakras and 10 Shaurya Chakras alongwith 117 other gallentry awards. The Bomba Sappers have also aided the Civil authorities during natural calamities, coming out commedably in the disasters of the Panset Dam of June 1961, and Koyna of December 1967. A group of twelve led by a Bombay Sapper on 26th December 84 has made history by carrying out scientific research for the first time round the year, in the merciless Antarctic continent. 'Trishna', the pride of Sappers, sailed around the world in a record 470 days, with four Bombay Sappers on board.

The Bombay Sappers are also enviable in the field of sports, having contributed to the National Teams for the Asian games and the Olympics. the Bombay Sappers join the club of the selectfew, who received coloursfrom the President of India, on 21st Feb 1990.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India