Judicial Reforms
Numerous judicial reforms were undertaken by Warren Hastings when he was in charge, such as:
- The first step was the abolition of the zamindars’ judicial authority.
- Hastings implemented judicial changes after observing that the legal system needed to be more structured.
- An important accomplishment was creating the Supreme Court of Calcutta in 1774.
- Calcutta also had two other important courts: one for civil matters called Sadar Diwani Adalat, and another for criminal cases called Sadar Nizamat Adalat.
- An Indian Judge was appointed for the criminal court.
- Muslims would be judged according to the rules in the Quran, and Hindus would follow Hindu laws. To simplify things, a set of Hindu laws, created by Hindu scholars, was translated into English.
- The authority of the Zamindars in holding judicial powers was eliminated.
- The court sought to create an unbiased and equitable judicial system by fusing regional customs with British legal ideas.
- Hastings implemented strict measures in Bengal to combat dacoits.
- Hastings’ efforts established the groundwork for India’s eventual unification of its legal system.
Trade Regulations
Several regulations in trading brought in by Warren Hastings were:
- Hastings aimed at passing trade laws that would be advantageous to the British East India Company.
- His goals were to maintain the Company’s economic success while regulating and enhancing commerce.
- The dastak system, which had been abused by dealers and corporate leaders, was outlawed by Hastings.
- He imposed a standard 2.5% tariff for all Indian and foreign goods.
- Nevertheless, local businessmen and merchants who were negatively impacted by the new laws frequently opposed these actions.
First Governor General of India- Warren Hastings
Warren Hastings: Warren Hastings, born in 1732, played a key figure in the early administrative history of British India. During a crucial period in India’s colonial history, Hastings, served as India’s first Governor-General from 1773 to 1785, significantly influencing the country’s policies and governance. His tenure & his legacy had key moments such as the abolition of the dual system, revenue and judicial reforms, trade regulations, etc.
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Warren Hastings
Table of Content
- Warren Hastings
- Reforms of Warren Hastings
- Abolition of the Dual System
- Administrative Reforms
- Revenue Reforms
- Judicial Reforms
- Major Wars Under Warren Hastings
- Interesting Facts about Warren Hastings
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