NCJ Number
113835
Journal
Social Defence Volume: 23 Issue: 87 Dated: (January 1987) Pages: 34-41
Date Published
1987
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This review addresses the first stage of a research project conducted by Dr. A. S. Raj, retired Inspector of Prisons, on the history of India's correctional administration: the Factory Period, a 225-year span from the early 16th century through the early 18th century when the East India Company gradually increased its power over India.
Abstract
The reviewer summarizes topics covered by Dr. Raj's treatise, beginning with the European influx into India and the founding of the East India Company. A discussion of the Company's expansion focuses on the 1683 Charter giving it full powers to declare war, muster military force, and establish a rudimentary court system in India. Particular attention is given to the Company's subsequent acquisition of the right of zemindari which allowed it to assume criminal justice responsibilities. The paper examines how the Company used zemindari, but exercised more powers than belonged to them in Bengal. British supervision of Muslim law administered in areas controlled by the Company is explained, along with the modern prison system instituted in 1970 by the British. The paper describes the court system established to administer criminal justice, transfer of jails from Indian to European hands, and regulations on prison management promulgated in the late 18th century.