Part 1
Manu (laws compiled during 200 B.C. to 200 A.D.):- Manu's major work, the 'Manusmriti' relates to the traditions of ancient India. He contributed many ideas in the field of polity. He offered the theory of the divine origin.
He considered the art of diplomacy important for the king in which sama, dana, bheda and danda play a crucial role.
Kautilya, The Arthashastra is an Ancient Indian Sanskrit treatise on statecraft, political science, economic policy and military strategy. Kautilya, also identified as Vishnugupta and Chanakya, is traditionally credited as the author of the text.
The text is likely to be the work of several authors over centuries. Composed, expanded and redacted between the 2nd century BCE and 3rd century CE, the Arthashastra was influential until the 12th century, when it disappeared. It was rediscovered in 1905 by R. Shamasastry, who published it in 1909.
Aristotle ,The antecedents of Western politics can be traced back to the Socratic political philosophers, such as Aristotle ("The Father of Political Science") (384–322 BC). Aristotle was one of the first people to give a working definition of political science.
The Constitution of San Marino
It dates all the way back to 1600 AD and has been in continuous use since then, It holds the distinction of being one of the oldest written constitutions still in use today.
However, the country’s Constitution is uncodified, which means that not all of its elements are law (this is why the United States’ Constitution is often cited as the oldest).
San Marino’s current legal system is still based on this 1600 Constitution, so it counts as the world’s oldest existing constitution.
World's longest written constitution had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules at the time of commencement. Now the constitution has a preamble and 470 articles, which are grouped into 25 parts. With 12 schedules and five appendices, it has been amended 106 times as of September 2023.
1 Constitutional Development till 1857 AD
The British came to India in 1600 as traders, in the form of the East India Company, which had the exclusive right of trading in India under a charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I. In 1765, the Company, which till now had purely trading functions obtained the 'diwani' (i.e., rights over revenue and civil justice) of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. This started its career as a territorial power.
In 1858, in the wake of the 'sepoy mutiny', the British Crown assumed direct responsibility for the governance of India. This rule continued until India was granted independence on August 15, 1947.
With Independence came the need for a Constitution. As suggested by M N Roy (a pioneer of communist movement in India and an advocate of Radical Democratism) in 1934, a Constituent Assembly was formed for this purpose in 1946 and on January 26, 1950, the Constitution came into being. However, various features of the Indian Constitution and polity have their roots in British rule.
1.1 Regulating Act 1773
Supreme Court setup at Calcutta.
It designated the Governor of Bengal as the Governor-General of Bengal.
The First Governor-General of Bengal was Lord Warren Hastings.
It subordinated the Governors of Bombay and Madras to the Governor-General of Bengal.
The Supreme Court was established at Fort William (Calcutta) as the Apex Court in 1774.
1.2 Pitt's India Act of 1784
Establishment of Board of Control to guide and supervise the affairs of the company in India
It was introduced to remove the drawbacks of the Regulating Act.
Was named after the then British Prime Minister.
Placed the Indian affairs under the direct control of the British Government.
Established a Board of Control over the Court of Directors.
1.3 Charter Act of 1833
Company's monopoly of trade with India was completely abolished. Created the post of Governor General of India. Constitution of a law commission.
It made the Governor General of Bengal as the Governor General of India.
First Governor General of India was Lord William Bentick.
All civil and military powers were vested in him.
Governments of Bombay and Madras were deprived of their legislative powers.
This was the final step towards centralisation in British India.
The act ended the activities of the East India Company as the commercial body.
1.4 Charter Act of 1853
Open annual competitive examination for civil services (Macaulay Commission to work out the details)
Legislative and Executive Councils separated.
