School of Law and Governance

Central University of South Bihar

UNIT HISTORY-II L T P C
[LEGAL HISTORY]
Version: 1.1 4 0 0 4
Pre-requisites//Exposure History-I
co-requisites Constitution
Semester IV
B.A. LL.B.(H)

Module-I

The understanding of Law and Justice in the medieval period

A. Sources of Muslim Law

I. Quran
II. Hadis
III. Izma
IV. Qayas
B. Schools under Muslim Law
I. Shia
II. Sunni
C. Legal Literature
I. Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi
II. Fatwa-i-Jahandari
III. Ain-i-Akbari
IV. Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh

Selected Readings

1. G. Ranking(Tr.), Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh, Saeed International, New Delhi, 1990

2. H. Blochman(Tr.), The Ain-i-Akbari, Low price publication, New Delhi, 1927
3. J.L Mehta, Advanced History of India, Two Volumes
4. Satish Chandra, Medieval India from Sultnate to Mughals, Delhi, 1997

Module 2

Ideas and Institutions of Law and Justice in the age of Medieval India

A. Idea of Justice
B. Form and nature of State
C. Theory of Kingship and relation between rulers and people
D. Evolution of Judicial Administration
E. Evolution of Land revenue system

Selected Readings

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 1. Satish Chandra, Medieval India from sultanate to Mughals, Delhi, 1997
2. J.L Mehta, Advanced History of Medieval India, two volumes
3. Irfan Habib(ed), Medieval India, (1200-1750), OUP, 1997

Module III

The Rise of the English power in Bengal and Foundational Institutions of Company
Governance

A. East India Company and Dewani Rights of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa in 1765
B. The English Experience and Revenue Administration

1. Jamindari System 2. Rayatwari System 3. Mahalwari System

C. Dual Government in Bengal and legal system

Selected Readings

1. A.B. Keith, A constitutional History of India 1600-1935, Low price publications, New
Delhi, 1996
2. H.P Dube, A short History of the Judicial system of India and some foreign countries,
NMT publication, Mumbai, 1968
3. Radhika Singha, A Despotism of Law: Crime and Justice in early Colonial India,
OUP, Delhi 1998

Module IV

Introduction of Adalat system in Colonial India

A. Judicial and Revenue Reforms of Warren Hastings ( 1772-85)

B. Judicial and Revenue Reforms of Cornwallis (1786-1793)
C. Judicial Reforms of William Bentinck (1828-1835)
D. Codification of Law, Law Commissions and establishment of High Court

Selected Readings

1. A.B Keith, A constitutional History of India 1600-1935, Low price publications, New
Delhi, 1996
2. H.P Dubey, A Short History of the Judicial System of India and Some foreign
countries, NMT publication, Mumbai, 1968
3. B.L Grover, A New Look at Modern Indian History, S. Chand and Company, New
Delhi, 1994
4. Mukherjee Mithi, India in the shadows of Empire: A Legal and political History
(1774-1950), OUP, 2010

Module V

Reformatory Laws of 19th- 20th Century

A. Abolition of Sati Act, 1829

B. Widow Remarriage Act, 1857
C. Women’s Right to Property Act, 1937

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 D. Child Marriage Restrained Act, 1929
E. Hindu gains of Learning Act, 1930
F. Shariat Act, 1937
G. Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act, 1939

Selected Readings

1. A.B Keith, A constitutional History of India 1600-1935, Low price publications, New
Delhi, 1996
2. A. Masodkar, Society, State and the Law, NMT Ltd., Bombay, 1979
3. Mukherjee Mithi, India in the Shadows of Empire: A Legal and Political
History(1774-1950), OUP, Delhi 2010

Module VI

Constitutional Development from 1858 to 1947

A. The Government of India Act, 1858

B. The Councils Act, 1861
C. The Indian Councils Act, 1892
D. The Indian Councils Act, 1909
E. The Government of India Act 1919 and Diarchy in provinces
F. The Government of India Act 1935 and provincial autonomy
G. Constitutional development from 1935-1947 and the Transfer of Power

Selected Readings

1. A.B Keith, A Constitutional History of India 1600-1935, Low Price publications New
Delhi, 1996
2. P.G. Robb, The Government of India and Reform: Policies toward politics and the
constitution, 1916-21, OUP, 1976
3. A. Masodkar, Society, state and the Law, NMT Ltd., Bombay, 1979
4. Mukherjee Mithi, India in the shadows of empire: A Legal and political History(1774-
1950), OUP, Delhi, 2010

Module VII

Indian Freedom movement: Reaction and Response to British Judicial system, 1857-1947

A. Social, Religious Reforms and Indian Renaissance

B. Indian press and British Legislations
C. Revolt of 1857
1. Causes, Course and Consequences
2. Recent debates on revolt of 1857
D. Rise of Nationalism and Indian National Congress
E. Role of Moderates and Extremists
F. Emergence of Gandhi and Gandhian Movements

Selected Readings

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 1. Sumit Sarkar, Modern India, 1885-1947, Macmillan, New Delhi, 1983
2. Bipan Chandra and others, India’s Struggle for Independence, Penguin, New
Delhi, 1989
3. A.R Desai, Social background of Indian Nationalism, 3rd edition, popular book
depot, Bombay, 1959
4. B.L Grover, A New look at Modern Indian History, S. Chand, New Delhi, 1994