1. In which year was the first provision enabling the East India Company to exercise judicial powers on Indian soil made by the British?
- 1661
- 1726
- 1733
- 1757
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Answer: 1661
The Charter of Charles II in 1661 marked a significant development in the history of the British East India Company. This charter granted the company judicial powers on Indian soil, enabling it to administer justice. Prior to this, under the Charter of 1600, the company lacked authority to make decisions in matters like murder or unrelated issues involving non-members of the company.
2. During the 17th century, which region of India had active Choultry Courts that imparted justice according to long-established traditions?
- Bengal
- Madras
- Carnatic
- Gujarat
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Answer: Madras
Between 1639 and 1661, Madraspatanam had two separate entities administering justice. The English agent and council held judicial authority for English residents, while indigenous people fell under the jurisdiction of the Choultry court. The Choultry court, presided over by an Adigar, a local village headman, adjudicated cases for natives based on traditional customs and usages.
3. Where did the first trial by jury in the history of India take place?
- Calcutta
- Bombay
- Madras
- Surat
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Answer: Madras
The first trial by jury in India occurred in Madras in the Agent’s court. This historic trial involved a British woman named Mrs. Ascentia Zawes, accused of murdering her Indian slave. She was found “not guilty.”
4. In which year was the admiralty court established in Madras?
- 1675
- 1683
- 1689
- 1697
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Answer: 1683
King Charles II issued a charter on August 9, 1683, granting the East India Company authority to establish courts. As a result, the admiralty court was established on July 10, 1686. This court, presided over by a qualified lawyer serving as the judge-advocate, had a broader jurisdiction and handled various types of cases, including civil, criminal, maritime, and mercantile matters.
5. In the 1670s, under the watch of Gerald Aungier, two judicial systems were established in which town?
- Calcutta
- Madras
- Bombay
- Surat
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Answer: Bombay
Gerald Aungier, the Second Governor of Bombay, played a pivotal role in instituting a judicial system in Bombay. Two judicial systems were established there. The first system was established in 1670, consisting of the Court of Customs Officer and the Court of Deputy Governor-in-Council, designed to facilitate governance.
6. When was Bombay Court established?
- 1827
- 1852
- 1862
- 1876
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Answer: 1862
The Court of Judicature was founded in Bombay on March 25, 1718, replacing the earlier judicial system. This court included an English chief justice, five English judges, and four Indian judges representing the main communities in Bombay: Hindus, Muslims, Portuguese, and Parsis. The Indian judges had a subsidiary role, providing insight into local matters and customs.
7. The Charter Act of 1726 provided for the establishment of a Corporation in which of these places?
- Bombay and Surat
- Bombay and Calcutta
- Calcutta and Madras
- Calcutta and Surat
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Answer: Bombay and Calcutta
The Charter of 1726 led to the establishment of corporations in Bombay and Calcutta, similar to the existing one in Madras. These corporations comprised a Mayor and nine Aldermen, collectively forming the ‘Mayor’s Court,’ responsible for resolving civil cases within the respective Presidency towns and their subordinate factories.
8. The Charter of 1726 empowered which of the following with legislative powers to make bye-laws, ordinances, and rules?
- Mayor
- Sheriff
- Governor and Council
- Deputy Governor and Council
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Answer: Governor and Council
The Charter of 1726 granted the Governor and Council of each Presidency town the power to make bye-laws, rules, and ordinances for governing the Corporations and the inhabitants of the Presidencies.
9. In which charter was the provision to establish the Court of Requests made?
- Charter of 1726
- Charter of 1733
- Charter of 1753
- Charter of 1780
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Answer: Charter of 1753
The Charter of 1753 was an updated version of the Charter of 1726. It established a hierarchy of four courts for the administration of justice in the three Presidencies, including the Court of Requests for petty civil cases and the Mayor’s Court for more significant cases.
10. In which year was the Supreme Court of Judicature established in Calcutta?
- 1757
- 1774
- 1778
- 1783
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Answer: 1774
The Regulating Act of 1773 led to the creation of the Supreme Court of Judicature in Calcutta. It consisted of one Chief Justice and three Puisne Judges appointed by the British Crown to act at its pleasure. Sir Elijah Impey served as the first Chief Justice.
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