LAW GUIDE

  History and Development of the Indian Penal Code Pre-Colonial Period Before the establishment of British rule, India did not have a uniform legal system. Laws varied regionally and were influenced by religious texts, such as the Hindu Dharmashastra and Islamic Sharia law. Early British Rule With the advent of British colonialism in the 18th century, the East India Company initially followed the existing Mughal legal system, which was a mix of Islamic law for Muslims and Hindu law for Hindus. However, this system was inconsistent and lacked uniformity. Need for Codification The British recognized the need for a uniform legal system to administer justice fairly and efficiently across their Indian territories. The complexities of the pre- existing legal systems necessitated the introduction of a codified legal framework. Drafting of the Indian Penal Code Law Commission and Macaulay: In 1834, the first Law Commission was established under the chairmanship of Thomas Babington Macaulay...