Brief History Of Mumbai Police

Posted By : Ashley D'souza

BRIEF HISTORY OF MUMBAI POLICE & POLICE PATIL NAME TITLE HOLDER OF EAST INDIAN COMMUNITY

Patla Ch Ghar / Patla Chi Pori , The Importance and Connection of these Family Title Holders In East Indian Gaothans .

Patil (meaning "head" or "chief") is an Indian last name and a title or surname native to the state of Maharashtra.

In ancient times, a Patil was the head of the village working under a Deshmukh who was head of the district. Under Deccan sultanates, and the Maratha empire, the Patil was the village headman and the most important Vatandar of the village. His main duties were to be the collector of revenue, as well as being the head of police and justice.

During the 17th century (until 1655), the area of present-day Mumbai was under Portuguese control. The Portuguese formed a basic law enforcement structure in this area with the establishment of a Police out-post in 1661.

 The origins of the present day Mumbai police can be traced back to a militia organised by Gerald Aungier, Then Governor of Bombay in 1669. Gerald Aungier (1640 – 30 June 1677) was the 2nd Governor of Bombay. He was made the president of the Surat factory and the governor of Bombay in 1669, which posts he held until his death in 1677. He was responsible for the initial growth of the city. He is said to have famously quoted Bombay to be "The City which by God's assistance is intended to be built".

It was during his tenure that the small town island of Bombay was converted into a promising hub for commerce. Great care was taken to bring the best traders, artisans and other professions to settle in Bombay. He is credited with adopting principles of religious toleration, empowered local self-governments and a strong focus on commerce ably supported by the creation of courts and enforcement through the formation of the local militia of Bhandari youth which evolved into the Bombay Police.

Aungier engaged the services of around 600 Bhandari Militia men who were maintained by 100 of the principal landowners of the island. He organized the Bhandari Militia with Subhedars headquartered at Mahim, Sewree and Sion.

Patil settled villages and collected revenues from the villagers, thus a Police Patil family in East Indian Gaothans typically owned 30-40 percent of village land. Patil Watan was dominated by the Bhandari , Kunbi caste, but there were also some Brahmins who held this position in every Gaothan . This watan was either purchased or granted by the respective authorities