Deolali transit camp was a British Army transit camp in Maharashtra, India. Established in 1861, the camp remained in use throughout the time of the British Raj. It served to house soldiers newly arrived in the country and those awaiting ships to take them to Britain. It also housed a military prison and during the two world wars served as a prisoner of war camp. Conditions in the camp were said to be poor especially for those stationed there for long periods and the term "doolally" became associated with mental illness. The camp was transferred to the Indian army following the independence of India. Transit camp The camp was located near Deolali, Maharashtra, around north-east of Mumbai. The camp is situated near a prominent conical hill and the Bahula Fort. The British camp was established in 1861 as the Deolali Cantonment and was soon used as a transit camp, particularly for soldiers awaiting return to Britain. It was also used for training and acclimatisation for soldiers newly arrived in British India. New drafts would stay at the camp for up to several weeks carrying out route marches and close order drill to get used to the hotter climate. The camp is described as one of India's hill stations. The camp was connected to the port at Mumbai by means of a railway, which was used for troop transport. During the First World War it was used as a hospital for prisoners of war held in other camps in India, including Turks taken prisoner on the Mesopotamian campaign and German soldiers. The camp had a military prison that was used for soldiers of the British Army and, during the Second World War, for captured Indian nationalists who had served in the Japanese-founded Indian National Army. During the Second World War the camp also boasted cinemas, swimming pools, amusement parks and restaurants for the troops. The complex was transferred to the Indian Army after Indian Independence in 1947 and was used as an artillery school and depot for at least 10 artillery and service corps units. It also hosted an army records office and an aerial observation squadron. During the period leading up to independence the camp was known as the "Homeward Bound Trooping Depot" and was used to return large numbers of British troops and their families back home as British forces withdrew from the country. The camp is the setting