Did you know that Bombay’s (now Mumbai) first recorded riot was about dogs? The 1832 “Dog Riots” saw the city’s usually peaceful Parsi community leading a fierce protest against a harsh British law that targeted the city’s dogs.
In May 1832, British authorities in Bombay mandated the culling of stray dogs in public and government areas to control their rapidly growing numbers. But the situation quickly escalated when those assigned to carry out the killings were incentivized to kill as many dogs as possible. This indiscriminate slaughter, which affected both strays and pets, sparked outrage, especially among the Parsis, for whom dogs hold sacred significance in the Zoroastrian faith as gatekeepers of heaven.
Tensions boiled over on July 6, 1832, a holy day for the Parsis, when clashes erupted between the community and British authorities. In a remarkable show of unity, people from all walks of life—Hindus, Jains, Muslims—joined the Parsis in protest. Businesses and docks in the Fort area were shut down as the city united in defense of its four-legged residents.
The unrest forced the British to withdraw the law, and although the “Dog Riots” were brief, they left a significant mark on Bombay’s history. This episode stands as a testament to the city’s indomitable spirit and its willingness to stand up for the defenseless.
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