From colonial militia to a massive force of 195,000 officers

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Maharashtra Police is one of India's largest law enforcement agencies, but its roots lie in a tiny 17th-century militia. From Portuguese outposts to a repurposed sailors' home, the evolution of this force reflects centuries of shifting political control and urban transformation in the region.

The modern Maharashtra Police, currently led by Director General of Police Sadanand Date, maintains a massive presence with nearly 1.95 lakh personnel, including 15,000 women. This force manages approximately 36 district police units across the state. However, the agency's lineage is far more modest, beginning with Portuguese law enforcement structures established in the Mumbai area as early as 1661.

In 1669, Governor Gerald Aungier organized the Bhandari Militia, a group of roughly 500 men headquartered in Mahim, Sevree, and Sion. By 1672, courts began providing judicial oversight for police decisions, though the presiding judges lacked formal legal training. By 1682, the militia's structure remained largely stagnant, consisting of just one ensign, three sergeants, and two corporals.

The department's administrative history is marked by significant reorganizations. Following India's independence in 1947, the force was known as the Bombay State Police. It was later divided into the Gujarat Police, Mysore Police (now Karnataka Police), and the Maharashtra Police following the States Reorganisation Act of 1956. Today, the department operates out of a Grade I listed heritage building in Mumbai, a structure originally built between 1872 and 1876 to serve as the Royal Alfred Sailors' Home.

The headquarters building, designed by Frederick William Stevens, was originally intended to house 20 officers and 100 seamen. It was conceived to commemorate the 1870 visit of the Duke of Edinburgh. After serving as a home for sick European sailors and later housing the Bombay Legislative Council and Council Hall, the Maharashtra Police finally moved into the building in 1982.

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