Royal Indian Navy
| Royal Indian Navy | |
|---|---|
| Active | 5 September 1612 – 26 January 1950 |
| Country | |
| Type | Navy |
| Size | 20,000 personnel During WW2 (1943) to 9,600 personnel by Independence after post war demobilization (1947) |
| Garrison/HQ | Bombay |
| Nickname(s) | RIN |
| Engagements | Seven Years' War American War of Independence Napoleonic Wars Anglo-Burmese Wars First Opium War Second Opium War First World War Second World War |
| Insignia | |
| Naval Ensign (1877-1928) & Naval Jack (1928-1947) | |
| Naval Ensign (1928-1950) | |
| Naval Jack (1884-1928) | |
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The Royal Indian Navy (RIN) was the naval force of British India and the Dominion of India. Along with the Presidency armies, later the Indian Army, and from 1932 the Royal Indian Air Force, it was one of the Armed Forces of British India.
From its origins 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 (1686), the Bombay Marine Corps (1829), the Indian Navy (1830), Her Majesty's Indian Navy (1858), the Bombay and Bengal Marine (1863), the Indian Defence Force (1871), Her Majesty's Indian Marine (1877) and the Royal Indian Marine (1892). It was finally named the Royal Indian Navy in 1934. However, it remained a relatively small force until the Second World War, when it was greatly expanded.
After the partition of India into two independent states in 1947, the Navy was split between India and Pakistan. One-third of the assets and personnel were assigned to the Pakistan Navy. Approximately two thirds of the fleet remained with the Union of India, as did all land assets within its territory. This force, still under the name of "Royal Indian Navy", became the navy of the Dominion of India until the country became a republic on 26 January 1950. It was then renamed the Indian Navy.