SSC Stenographer 2026 PYQ — Question 38

Solution: The correct answer is They introduced a dual legal system respecting personal laws of Hindus and Muslims.
Explanation:
☛ In 1772, Warren Hastings introduced the Judicial Plan, establishing a dual court system in every district: the Mofussil Diwani Adalat (civil court) and the Mofussil Faujdari Adalat (criminal court).
☛ Under this reform, civil disputes were decided according to the personal laws of the parties involved—Hindu laws interpreted with the aid of Pandits for Hindus, and Islamic laws interpreted by Kazis and Muftis for Muslims.
☛ This system recognized and accommodated traditional Indian religious and legal customs rather than imposing English common law entirely on civil matters.
☛ In 1774, the provincial councils of revenue were created, which further reorganized the administration of civil justice across Bengal.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Two superior appellate courts were established at Calcutta: the Sadar Diwani Adalat (appellate civil court presided over by the Governor and Council) and the Sadar Nizamat Adalat (appellate criminal court).
☛ Warren Hastings abolished the Dual System of Government introduced by Robert Clive in Bengal in 1772.
☛ To codify Hindu law for British judges, a digest was translated into English by Nathaniel Brassey Halhed in 1776 as 'A Code of Gentoo Laws'.
☛ The Regulating Act of 1773 established the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William (Calcutta) in 1774.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Who became the first Governor-General of Bengal under the Regulating Act of 1773? → Warren Hastings
☛ In which year was the Supreme Court established at Calcutta? → 1774
☛ Who was appointed as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at Calcutta? → Sir Elijah Impey
☛ Under Warren Hastings' plan, what was the district-level civil court called? → Mofussil Diwani Adalat
☛ Who translated Hindu legal texts into English under the title 'A Code of Gentoo Laws' in 1776? → Nathaniel Brassey Halhed