OVERVIEW
In this topic, we are going to understand about Law and Justice under Delhi Sultanate and Mughals where we will see how Islamic legal principles and indigenous customs shaped the ruler of the medieval Indian empire. So let us begin with these two concepts in brief.
Delhi Sultanate: Law and Justice
- ISLAMIC LAW
The Delhi sultanate primarily began their Islamic state with the administered justice on Sharia law which was derived from the Quran and the Hadith. Qazis were known as judges, and they interpreted Islamic law in criminal and civil matters.
- QAZI COURTS
It was established in various parts of the Delhi sultanate in which the control was under the sultanate. They dealt with cases that were related to family law, property, inheritance, etc according to judicial pronouncement.
- ROYAL DECREE
The sultan’s decree played a crucial role in this justice. This firman was issued by the king and was based on Islamic law which could reflect the ruler’s discretion.
- ADALAT
These adalat were presided over by the sultan and his appointed official. It handles both civil and criminal cases which was generally influenced by the Persian administration.
Mughal Empire:Law and Justice
- ISLAMIC LAW
The Mughal Empire practices were based on Islamic legal principles where there was a great blend of their indigenous customs and traditions.
- QAZI COURT
Qazi court handles the personal law and religious affairs of the Mughal empire.
- COMPILATION OF LEGAL TEXTS
Emperor Akbar initiated this customtheheir Mughal e ire that any cases of the empire would be compiled in the legal text to provide a legal framework for the entire empire.
- ZABT AND DIWAN-I-WAZARAT
In the Mughal Empire, there was a system of revenue collection and land administration which was known as zabt system, and Diwan-i-wizard was responsible for legal matters and for maintaining law and order.
CONCLUSION
At the end of this topic, we can conclude here that both empires had sought to maintain law and order by combining Islamic principles and distinct administrative structures, while Islamic law had also provided a framework through which we can consider it in the modern era.
