Note: To obtain Kailash Rai’s original PDF legally, check your university’s Shodhganga or subscription to SCC Online/Manupatra. This paper is a research guide, not a substitute for the original text.
For those interested in exploring the history of courts further, the following resources are recommended:
The definitive legislation that created a single class of "Advocates" and established the Bar Council of India . 4. The Freedom Movement
Details Warren Hastings' judicial plans (1772, 1774, and 1780) and Lord Cornwallis' reforms that introduced a structured hierarchy of courts. Kailash Rai History Of Courts Pdf
| Period | Key Institutions per Rai | Dominant Source of Law | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Kula (family courts), Shreni (guild courts), Puga (assemblies) | Dharmaśāstra, Manusmriti | | Muslim Period | Qazi courts, Faujdar courts (criminal), Mir Adl (revenue) | Quranic law, Fiqh, imperial firmans | | British Period | Mayor’s Courts (1726), Supreme Courts (1774), Sadar Diwani Adalats, High Courts (1862), Privy Council (1833-1949) | Common law, statute, precedent | | Post-Independence | Supreme Court (1950), High Courts, District Courts, Lok Adalats | Constitution of India |
As civilizations evolved, so did their court systems. In ancient Egypt, for example, courts were divided into two main categories: the "Ma'at" courts, which dealt with civil matters, and the "Kenbet" courts, which handled criminal cases. Rai highlights the significance of these early court systems, which laid the groundwork for the development of more sophisticated judicial institutions in the centuries to come.
The search volume for the PDF version is immense. There are three primary reasons for this: Note: To obtain Kailash Rai’s original PDF legally,
III. The Middle Ages and the Rise of Common Law
Highlights the Advocates Act of 1961 , which created a unified bar and the Bar Council of India. PDF Resources and Availability
The book is available in genuine e-book format on platforms like: In ancient Egypt, for example, courts were divided
II. Ancient Civilizations and the Emergence of Courts
The ancient Greeks made significant contributions to the development of courts, with the establishment of the "Hellenic" court system. Rai notes that Greek courts were characterized by the use of juries, which were composed of citizens who heard cases and rendered verdicts. The Greeks also developed the concept of " nomos," or the rule of law, which emphasized the importance of written laws and the protection of individual rights.