8 replies to this topic

[N30 S!NGH]

I had this question in my mind for longest time. I wanted to find out, what were the legal laws if any around time of Sikh Kingdom Shere Punjab run by maharaja ranjit singh ji?. Can anyone who have done research on this topic, shed some light on this? were they fully secular accommodated for all cultures, religions of that region? or were they influenced by religions ie - sharia?

Please share your input in this. I am currently researching on this, i ll ask few learned gyanis in my area.

[amardeep]

Was'nt it run under the rehit given in Prem Sumarag?

[HSD1]

i thought that maharaja ranjit just made it up as he went along. his governors, lords and magistrates also had a lot of leeway in what they could do. regardless of this it was still a fairly just system of government and far outstripped the 'smash and grab' attitude the british had across the border.

[Matheen]

Historical documents show that there was religious tolerance - many ministers were Muslim and Hindu. There must be documents somewhere outlining the law - maybe if you contact Patiala University or even University of Punjab (Lahore & Chandigarh) someone might have more info.

It is still impossible to access official British documents relating to the Anglo-Sikh wars but the punjabheritage.org guys might be able to get you some stuff.

[shaheediyan]

Lord of the Five Rivers (French sources of Indian history) by Jean Marie Lafont - covers much of the administrative measures in Maharaja Ranjit Singhs rule.

Also get hold of Umdat Ut Tawarikh (Daftar) which was written in the Maharajas Darbar and also gives much info on his rule/policies etc.

[SURYADEV]

Matheen, on 03 September 2009 - 09:04 PM, said:

Historical documents show that there was religious tolerance - many ministers were Muslim and Hindu. There must be documents somewhere outlining the law - maybe if you contact Patiala University or even University of Punjab (Lahore & Chandigarh) someone might have more info.

It is still impossible to access official British documents relating to the Anglo-Sikh wars but the punjabheritage.org guys might be able to get you some stuff.

Regarding historical docs. I read an article a while back (cant remember where) lamenting the fact that there are many. many paper court/administrative records from the Sikh Raj that are just turning to dust on the shelves of Lahore Uni or Museum or Library. None of these have been digitised , let alone studied. And slowly they are turning to dust.

[N30 S!NGH]

Thanks for your feedback guys. I will look into sources which were given. I am also wondering, if during maharaja ranjit singh Sikh kingdom rule of sheraie punjab, death penalty was served for criminals who committed rape, murder? or was it life in imprisonment?

can anyone enlighten on this?

[tonyhp32]

As the majority of population at that time lived in villages, then the main recourse to right a wrong would have been the Panchayats. In the towns each biradri would have a panchayat which would deal with the civil legal affairs within the biradri. The State would only be concerned with capital offences such as murder, rioting etc. The government functionaries such as the Kirdars would be responsible for ensuring peace in their area. The Governors would pass judgement on cases and these could very well be determined by who could give the most in bribes. The Muslims would still be able to go to Qadis with regard to their own religious affairs, the capital provisions of Sharia would not have been allowed to be enforced. Death sentences could only be given by the State. In the Malwa areas before the British protectorate was established only the Rajas had the right to give the death sentence. When the British protection was declared in 1809, this right was taken away although after 1857 it was given back to some of the states.

Edited by tonyhp32, 20 September 2009 - 05:09 PM.

[singh2]

There is a book " Country of the sikhs" by Lt colonel Steinbach. It says that sikh kingdom was divided into provinces. The law and order was the subject of province and Governor of province was responsible for maintaining that. He was also responsible for raising revenue for Ranjit singh by levying taxes on farmers. There was a fixed amount to be submitted to the Govt.

It says that there were hardly any written rules. Ranjit singh used to hold court himself and important cases were heard by him and then decided on the spot. Cases pertaining to foreign affairs were decided by him.