Royal Indian Navy

Her Majesty's Indian Navy, Royal Indian Marine and Bombay Marine redirect here.

The Royal Indian Navy (RIN) was the naval force of British India. Along with the Presidency armies and the later British Indian Army it comprised the Armed Forces of British India.

From its origin in 1612, as the East India Company's Marine, the Navy underwent various changes, including changes to its name. Over time it was named the Bombay Marine, Her Majesty's Indian Navy, Her Majesty's Indian Marine and the Royal Indian Marine, until being named the Royal Indian Navy in 1934.

After the independence of India in 1947 and the subsequent partition, the Navy's assets and personnel were split with the Royal Pakistan Navy, while the RIN became the navy of the Union of India. When India became a republic on 26 January, 1950 the force was renamed as the Indian Navy.

History

East India Company

1612–1686

The East India Company was established in 1612, soon after Captain Thomas Best defeated the Portuguese at the Battle of Swally. This led the Company to build a port and to establish a small navy based at Suvali, near Surat, Gujarat, to protect its trade routes. The Company named the force the 'Honourable East India Company's Marine', and the first fighting ships arrived on 5 September 1612. This force protected merchant shipping off the Gulf of Cambay and the rivers Tapti and Narmada. The ships also helped map the coastlines of India, Persia and Arabia.

1686–1830

In 1686, with most of...
Read More