Indian Legal and Constitutional History

Description

Running since 1974, Dr. N.V. Paranjape’s “Indian Legal and Constitutional History” has, over the decades, established itself as one of the widely read textbooks on the evolution of India’s legal and constitutional systems. Now in its Ninth Edition, the book provides a comprehensive and updated account of India’s legal institutions and constitutional growth from the advent of the British East India Company in 1600 A.D. to the framing of the Constitution of India in 1950, and beyond.

The book is divided into two well-structured parts for convenient study. Part I traces the development of India’s legal system, covering topics such as the administration of justice during the East India Company era, the establishment and working of Adalats, the emergence of the modern judicial system, and the progressive evolution of criminal law, including recent reforms under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA). Part II presents a detailed narrative of India’s constitutional history, encompassing the stages of British parliamentary control, the growth of representative institutions, and the key milestones leading to the making and shaping of the Indian Constitution.

Written in lucid and analytical style, the book blends historical facts, legal analysis, and case law references to provide a holistic understanding of how India’s modern legal framework evolved.