Political, Legal and Military History of India: Vol.9: Justice System and Mutinies in British India
Contents: Preface. Chronology of important events. The commanders-in-Chief of British India. 1. Political games of the European rivals. 2. Foreign adventurers in India and their political and military exploits. 3. Military booty in British India. 4. The British in Bengal. 5. The great uprising of 1857. 6. Mutinies in the Indian Army. 7. Mutiny or war of independence. 8. Military trial of Delhi emperor. 9. From company to the crown. 10. Legal and political failings of the company’s rule. 11. From autocrat to bureaucrat. 12. British Parliament and the East India Company. 13. Evolution of judicial system in India. 14. The agitation for trial by Jury during East India Company’s times. 15. Commentaries on Indian Military Law--century and a half ago. 16. Origin of summary court martial. Select bibliography. Index.
"India was an open field for the European powers during seventeenth century. After the Portuguese collapse, "Political Games of the European Rivals"--the Dutch, the English and the French commended under the cover of trade and commerce. According to Sir George Dunbar ‘the powerhouse of world politics lay without question in West’ and Admiral Steven Haghen and Broecke, Clive and Hastings, Dupleix and General Bussy of European nations were fired with the resolve to make India an empire for their respective country. Their progress/decline in India was accentuated by events in Europe and chaotic conditions in India. In addition individual European soldiers entered India to make fortune. Some of these military adventurers created armies, conquered kingdoms, overturned princes and ruled provinces wielding much personal power. Even the East India Company’s British troops were given substantial share in all pillage and plunder. Under these inducements the British Empire building commenced in Bengal.
A detailed study of 1857 Great uprising, its causes, character and effects, the pre-1857 English and native mutinies, whether the great uprising was "Mutiny or War of Independence" and "Military Trial of Delhi Emperor" have been carried out in this book.
The shock felt in England due to the events of the Mutiny changed the government "From Company to the Crown" that is "From Autocrat to Bureaucrat". Sir Henry Durand lists the "Legal and Political failings of the Company’s Rule" and Peter Auber in his "British Parliament and the East India Company" states sentiments and opinions of Parliament members about the Company’s rule.
Evolution of (British) Judicial System in India " includes ’A Historical Survey’, ‘Anglo-Indian Judicial and Police System’ and ‘First trial of an Indian by the East India Company’. "Commentaries on Indian Military Law" depicts its origin, development and applicability and "Origin of Summary Court Martial" tells all about this unique system peculiar to India." (jacket)
