HISTORY OF INDIA AND ITS LEGAL SYSTEM A.K.Gajendhra B.com., M.sc. (psy), L.L.B, Admin, BOD. Lexcontego.

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The history of Indian Law has its history, which is abput 2,600BC where the Indus Valley Civilization started. And over the years they moved to the two greater towns MohenjoDaro and Harrapa. Where they had trade with modern Iraq. They followed certain applied laws on those days. In about 1500BC, the Aryans from central asia entered India. Which was over a period of time rather than one. In this same period Alexander The Great destroyed the Persians and entered the North-West, hence our legal system has a smaller impact of Greeks. About 322BC the Mauryan Empire came in force, Chandragupta maurya invaded and conquered northern india, then his son Bindusara extended to south. Then the great king Ashoka comes to throne. He stopped conquering states and converted to Bhudhism. The remarkable seed sowed by him to the World was A Welfare State, by enriching the living standards through trade, commerce and the benefits for peoples livelihood. Then about 185BC King Demetrius invaded India, in 160BC one of his successor King Menander conquered most of northern India. But it dint last longer after his death, the European influence did not work much with India. The Kushan Rule came, about 78AD-114AD King Kanishka ruled most part of India. He enhanced International Trade by his style of norms mostly trading with The Roman Empire. A new empire was formed conquering the north and central India by the Guptas, where it went to peak in the period of Chandragupta II. Due to the weak legal system, the punishment was less harsh, the administrative authority were given autonomy. These were the cause of decline. Then Harshavardhana 606-647AD ruled in north India, he tried to capture South but severely defeated. Anyhow his reign was as usual no much impact on a different style. Then The Cholas in 10th Century came in force. Rajaraja Cholan conquered Sri Lanka and Maldives, he reformed the Marriage Law by admitting Inter-Caste Marriages, he himself proved by witnessing his daughters wedding. His son Rajendra Cholan conquered Andaman Islands and Ganges. Trade thrived to most parts of Asia, they traded with Asian countrues and also with the Arabs. He rarely tried Reformative Punishments. We had also heard, read and believed about the great Chola King Manuneedhi Cholan, a legendary King who killed his own son to provide justice to a cow, he had hung a huge bell in front of the courtroom for the justice call. The same time The Turks conquered northern India, plundered temples, became more powerful, created The Sultanates Of Delhi. Then the Muhgal Empire came and to throne and plundered the wealth of India. They were cruel people, levied more taxation, arrogance, dictatorship were seen. India now changed to Police State. Jahangir, a true ruler had bells in all the entrances to hear the queries of the public. Same way Akbar ruled by love and not by sword, he cancelled all religious

HISTORY OF INDIA AND ITS LEGAL SYSTEM taxation, married a Rajput Princess, he abolished religious discrimination and implemented Right To Religion as a Fundamental Right. Sha Jahan was not too good he emptied the treasury by constructing a graveyard for his wife(Ex-Wife of King Of Bengal). Muhgal emire declined by their worst rulings.

The Europeans joined the race, first came portugese setting base in Goa, influencing in culture, religion, tradition etc. Then they declined. Now English and the Dutch took their place. Then the dutch declined. French acted equally in roleplay in India. While the English forming East India Company in 1600. The Britishers ruled us for 600 years, which paused our entire development. Some intellectuals would say Britishers united and developed India, but our view is they had stopped our development for nearly 6 Centuries. Hence we had greater influence of English Law. But in mordern India Legal System now just has the essence of English Law, but the major part that we had modified many laws. Much of contemporary Indian Laws have a substantial influence of the Europe and the United States. During the drafting of The Indian Constitution, the laws were borrowed from Ireland, the United States, France, Britan, which was introduced in a refined set of Indian Laws. Indian Laws also adhere to the UNO guidelines by including International Laws, Intellectual Property Laws, Environmental Laws, Human Rights Laws. There are about 1221 Laws as per May 2010. Inclusion with both Central and State Laws.