How Bombay came to be: the making of a great city and its courts
This historical study traces Bombay’s rise from a royal possession to a thriving port, with a clear focus on how British rule shaped its judicial system. It covers the period from the Crown transfer to 1726, linking political events, land issues, and legal reform to the city’s growth. The book highlights the people and decisions that laid the foundations for a modern metropolis and its administration.
From early conflicts with the Portuguese to the development of a formal court structure, the narrative blends political history with the day‑to‑day realities of justice. You’ll meet reformers and reform, see where governance faltered, and learn how land tenure and planning influenced Bombay’s trajectory. The work also reflects on social conditions, crime, punishment, and the evolving role of Indian and British actors in shaping law and order.
- Ways the administration of justice evolved in Bombay, including the move from informal courts to salaried judges
- Key figures who influenced the city’s legal and political development
- How land tenure and property practices affected growth and planning
- Social and legal context of the period, including contrasts with surrounding regions
Ideal for readers of urban history and colonial law, this edition offers a focused look at how Bombay’s legal framework supported its emergence as a vital commercial hub.