Privy Council

Evolution of Indian Legal System: Pre and Post Independence

when we look at the judiciary of India, it is very well organized and systematic. The credits of the formation and relevance of laws dating back to ancient India when Kautilya wrote Arthshastra around 300BC. Manusmriti was compiled between 200BC and 100AD. Thus, the various sources of law relied upon by kings at that time were shrutis, smritis, puranas, dharma sutras, etc. And the study of these memorable books is evidence that in ancient India we had a well-developed and sophisticated system of administration of justice. Sir William Jones, who came to India in 1774 as one of the first judges of the Supreme Court of judicature of Bengal, learned Sanskrit and undertook an authoritative translation of Manusmriti.