Adalat system

Question 1

Who was Warren Hastings and where was he initially appointed as Governor?

Answer 1

Warren Hastings was the Governor of Madras before being transferred to Bengal in 1772

Question 2

What was Warren Hastings’ role in Bengal?

Answer 2

He was the Governor of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.

Question 2

Why is Warren Hastings’ Judicial Plan of 1772 significant?

Answer 2

It was the first step towards regulating the administration of justice in the region and is considered a landmark in judicial history.

Question 3

What was the primary goal of Warren Hastings when he became Governor of Bengal?

Answer 3

To eradicate evils in the administration of justice and revenue collection.

Question 4

How did Warren Hastings address the issue of double government?

Answer 4

He abolished the system of double government and placed Diwani functions under the Company’s servants.

Question 5

What committee did Warren Hastings form to address judicial and revenue issues?

Answer 5

A committee consisting of the Governor and four council members.

Question 6

What were the tasks of the committee formed by Warren Hastings?

Answer 6

To identify the causes of problems in the judicial and revenue systems and to develop a plan for improvement.

Question 7

Who prepared the first judicial plan?

Answer 7

The Committee of Circuit under Warren Hastings’ chairmanship.

Question 8

How did Warren Hastings divide the territory for administrative purposes?

Answer 8

The territory of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa was divided into districts.

Question 9

What was the role of districts in the new administrative structure?

Answer 9

Districts became the units for revenue collection and administration of both civil and criminal justice.

Question 10

What were the two main types of courts established under the Judicial Plan?

Answer 10

Mofussil Diwani Adalat (civil courts) and Mofussil Faujdari/ Nizamat Adalat (criminal courts).

Question 11

What were the superior courts established to oversee the lower courts?

Answer 11

Sardar Diwani Adalat (civil appeals) and Sardar Nizamat Adalat (criminal appeals).

Question 12

Who presided over the Sardar Diwani Adalat?

Answer 12

he Governor and members of the Council.

Question 13

What was the appeal process for civil cases?

Answer 13

Appeals against Mofussil Diwani Adalat decisions exceeding Rs. 500 could be filed in the Sardar Diwani Adalat within two months.

Question 14

What were the responsibilities of Mofussil Diwani Adalats?

Answer 14

Handling civil cases like inheritance, marriage, and religious matters, with Hindu and Muslim laws applied respectively.

Question 15

What was the role of the Sadar Diwani Adalat?

Answer 15

The central civil court of appeal, hearing cases exceeding Rs. 500 from Mofussil Diwani Adalats.

Question 16

What was the purpose of Small Causes Adalats?

Answer 16

To handle petty cases up to Rs. 10, reducing travel burden for farmers.

Question 17

Who presided over Mofussil Nizamat/ Faujdari Adalats?

Answer 17

An Indian judge (Qazi or Mufti), with Moulvies interpreting Muslim law.

Question 18

What was the role of the Sadar Nizamat Adalat?

Answer 18

The central criminal court of appeal, headed by an Indian chief judge with British supervision.

Question 19

How did the Judicial Plan of 1772 address the conflict of interest between revenue collection and judicial duties?

Answer 19

It separated revenue collection from judicial functions.