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The Evolution of Military Law in India : Including the Mutiny Acts and Articles of War

The earliest completed code of the British army dates back to the 14th century when the “Statutes, Ordinances and Customs” were issued by Richard II to his Army in 1385 on the occasion of war with France. These statutes called “Articles” or “Ordinances of War” were issued under the prerogative power of the Crown. The earlier Articles were of excessive severity prescribing death or loss of limb as punishment for almost every crime. There were thousands of instances of accused native soldiers being blown from a gun on the orders of their commander. As minor punishment, an accused could be branded with hot iron for swearing. He could even be flogged in public or ordered to ride the wooden horse. This book provides an insight into the origin and development of the legal system of the Indian Army from the year 1600 to 1947 including that of the Navy and Air Force. A total of 40 statutes passed by the British Parliament and the Articles of War issued by the Crown for governing the military forces during that period have been included. This book is for military historians, military personnel, military lawyers, academics, journalists, and those with an interest or professional involvement in the subject.

Vij Books
  • Pages: 824
  • 9788194285106 • HARDBACK • Jan 2020 • Rs.2995
  • 9788194285120 • EBOOK • Feb 2020 • Rs.2500
  • Subjects: Military Law, Laws of War, International Humanitarian Law
  • The Evolution of Military Law in India : Including the Mutiny Acts and Articles of War
author details

Dr U C Jha is an independent researcher. He has an extensive academic experience in the fields of military law, international humanitarian law and human rights laws. He has been teaching these subjects for more than a decade and is a resource person for the United Service Institution of India, New Delhi. He has served in the Indian Air Force for 24 years. He obtained a Ph D degree in Law and Governance from Jawaharlal Nehru University, where his dissertation was on the Indian Military Justice System. He also holds master's degree in law, life sciences, business administration, and defence and strategic studies; with post-graduate diplomas in environmental laws, intellectual property laws, and international humanitarian law, refugee law and human rights laws.



Preface 
Chapter I The Origin and Growth of East India Company (1600-1858) 
Chapter II The Military in British India (1600-1947) 
Chapter III Recruitment and Living Conditions
Chapter IV Evolution of Military Legal System
Chapter V Military Discipline: European and Indian Forces 
Chapter VI Mutiny in the East India Company Army 
Chapter VII Military Courts and Punishments 
Epilogue 
Appendices 
Bibliography 
Index