Established on 25 March 1919, as Bombay Soldiers Board by Bombay Government, Department of War vide their Order No 1601. The main objective of the Bombay Soldiers Board was to Welfare of Ex-Servicemen and the following things were included in the area of responsibility of Bombay Soldiers Board:

• Formulations and maintenance of district records of war services.
• To make publicity of Central and State Govt schemes and distribute the grants to soldiers.
• To resettle the Ex-servicemen on priority for employment in Govt./Nov-Govt. Services.
• To resettle the Ex-servicemen through self-employment.
• Complete rehabilitation of war widows and other widows.
• Rehabilitation of wounded, incapacitated soldiers.
• Safeguarding the general interest of soldiers while on active service.
• To remain in constant liaison with the military authorities to resolve the socio economic problems of Ex-servicemen arising due to reduction in strength.
• To collect the Flag Day Fund through population for benevolent schemes to soldiers.

Secretary, Department of War, Bombay Soldiers Board were appointed as President of this Board and Secretary Resettlement Committee were appointed as Secretary of this Board. Further, some Honorable Citizens were appointed as Members of this Board. Initially Officers and Employees consisting of 16 Employees were appointed for this Board.

The Govt. of India dismissed the Central Recruiting Board on 07 September 1919 and established Indian Soldier’s Board in its place with the aim to make discussions feasible with then Government about difficulties of serving soldiers dismissed form service and soldiers deceased while in service and non-soldiers category people and their dependents.

As Navy and Air Force had gradually increased during Second World War, a need for an Organisation was felt necessary by this Department for Welfare activities of Defence Soldiers and due to this reason this board was reconstituted in April 1944.

Bombay Government, vide their Government Rule No SD/II/329 dated 24 July 1950 appointed a full time Secretary to this board on 24 July 1950.

In Indian Union, the Mumbai Division named as Maharashtra State after restoration depending on all Divisional Languages and with that the name of this Department has been made as Maharashtra State Soldier’s Sailors’ and Airmen’s Board and this name was also renamed as Department of Sainik Welfare, Maharashtra State. The earlier name of Secretary of the Department has been re-designated as Director, Department of Sainik Welfare, Maharashtra State.

The Offices (Centre, State and District level) related with Department of Sainik Welfare have been renamed with the time span as under:

Maharashtra State Soldier’s Sailors’ and Airmen’s Board and like 18 District Soldier’s Sailors’ and Airmen’s Board were declared as Offices of Maharashtra Government on 08th March 1966 and the employees of these offices were also declared as State Government Employee. Since then, 8 new District Soldiers Welfare Offices have been formed. The responsibility for expenses incurred on the Pay and other allowances of these employees has been allocated with 60% from Central Government and 40% from State Government. Although the responsibility of Ex-Servicemen and their dependents lies with Central Government and State Government, most of the grievances are being resolved by State Government. There are 34 State Soldiers’ Committees in our country for the Welfare Schemes of Ex-Servicemen. The State Soldiers’ Committees and District Soldiers’ Committees as an advisory have been formed as that of Central Soldiers Committee for advising about Ex-Servicemen Welfare to Central Government. These advisory Committees are helpful for undertaking maximum good works. However, all the Schemes for Welfare and Resettlement of Soldiers are being executed only through Department of Sainik Welfare, Maharashtra State and every Zilla Sainik Welfare Office.