Gavin Howe
India is home to several law museums, including the Legal History Museum of GNLU, which showcases the evolution of Indian law over 2500 years. The Legal History Museum, established in 2014, is located in Gujarat and offers a visual journey into India's legal past. Another law museum in India is the Law Museum or Museum of India, which was formerly known as Attara Kacheri, an 1868-69 building in the Greco-Roman style that once housed 18 administrative offices. This museum is located in Bengaluru, in the southern state of Karnataka. The National Museum in Delhi, inaugurated in 1949, also contains legal artefacts, including the original constitution of India.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Legal History Museum |
| Location | Gujarat National Law University |
| Date of Inauguration | 15th August 1949 |
| Collection | A copy of the original constitution of India, brass seals, badges of peons and process servers, candle stands, a bronze bell, Mahatma Gandhi's handwritten application and barrister certificate, an early 20th-century wall clock, brass pen and stand, porcelain ink bottle, a wooden document carrying suitcase box, a portrait of Raja Dharma Pravina T.R.A. Thumboochetty, seal punching machine, punching machine, and wooden pen stand |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Legal History Museum of GNLU in Gujarat
The GNLU was established in 2003 with support from the Government of India, the Government of Gujarat, and the judicial fraternity. It is a highly competitive public law school with an acceptance rate of only 0.045%. The university is based in Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, and its campus spans 50 acres in the Knowledge Corridor of the city.
The Legal History Museum is organised across multiple floors, each with a distinct focus. The first floor covers the legal history of the 14th to 18th centuries, showcasing the later medieval period through Mughal and company-era texts and icons of law and justice. The second floor brings visitors to the 19th century, leading up to the present day. Here, visitors can gain insights into the development of law and judicial institutions in modern times, including the codification of civil and criminal law.
The third floor of the museum features a miniature model of the courtroom of the Supreme Court of India and an exhibit titled 'Around the World', which offers an insight into the legal systems of various notable countries. This section highlights the contributions of Indian judges at the international level and showcases the legal history of 51 countries. The museum also includes a reception area with a clock room and a museum shop, where visitors can purchase souvenirs or memorabilia related to their educational journey through India's legal history.
The museum's collection includes rare artefacts and antiques, such as the original certificate of Sardar Patel's admission to the bar at Lincoln's Inn. It also features exhibits that showcase the university's research and collaboration with other institutions, such as the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi. The museum team actively engages in documentation, conservation, exhibition, education, and research, collaborating with students of museology from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda to design exhibitions and conserve stone sculptures.
Understanding Matrimonial Homes in Indian Law
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The National Museum in Delhi
I could not find a museum specifically named the "Law Museum of India". However, I found information on a few museums that exhibit Indian legal history and artefacts.
The National Museum in New Delhi, also known as the National Museum of India, is one of the largest museums in the country. Inaugurated on 15 August 1949, it has a vast collection of nearly 200,000 works of art, covering over 5,000 years of history. The museum functions under the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India and is situated on Janpath in New Delhi. The museum also houses the National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology, which has been a university since 1989.
The museum has a broad range of exhibits, including an extensive collection of arms and armour, showcasing the evolution of weaponry in Indian society. It also boasts a collection of nearly 14,000 manuscripts in various languages and scripts, with ornate calligraphy and illustrations. The National Museum is particularly renowned for its collection of Indian miniature paintings, with nearly 17,000 paintings representing all significant styles of Indian miniatures.
The Bronze Gallery, curated by Shri Tejpal Singh, is another notable feature of the museum. This gallery showcases the evolution of bronze in Indian art and sculpture, with a unique layout that juxtaposes sculptures with detailed descriptions, providing context and insight into production processes. The gallery includes renowned exhibits like the four Buddha images from Phophnar, Madhya Pradesh, and the Pala bronzes from the 8th to 10th centuries.
Other Legal Museums in India
There are a few other museums in India that showcase legal history and artefacts:
- The Legal History Museum of Gujarat National Law University offers a visual journey into India's legal past, covering over 2500 years of evolution in law and judicial institutions.
- The Law Museum, which may be located within the High Court premises, exhibits around 56 items related to the legal profession, including a bronze bell, a wall clock, antiques from Attara Kacheri, and a handwritten application and barrister certificate of Mahatma Gandhi for enrolment as a lawyer in the Bombay High Court.
Information Technology Law: India's Digital Rights & Regulations
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Bihar Museum in the state capital
The Legal History Museum of Gujarat National Law University offers a visual journey into India's legal past. The museum, one of the most important landmarks of the university, showcases the evolution of Indian law and judicial institutions over 2500 years. The collection includes the original constitution of India, brass seals, badges, candle stands, and a wall clock from the US that adorned the main court hall of the District Munsiff Court of Karkala. The museum celebrated its heritage with a festival from 1-10 October 2018, inviting experts to lecture on the connection between law and society.
While the above museum focuses on the legal history of India, the request also mentioned the Law Museum in India. The Law Museum, formerly known as 'Attara Kacheri', is located in Bengaluru. Lewin Bentham Bowring, the then Commissioner of Bengaluru, conceived the idea of the secretariat building, which was designed by Major General Sir Richard Hieram Sankey. The building was constructed between 1868 and 1869 and represents a Greco-Roman style of architecture.
Now, onto the Bihar Museum in the state capital. The Bihar Museum is a state-of-the-art museum located in Patna, the capital of Bihar state. It is situated on Bailey Road in the heart of the city and was partially opened to the public in August 2015, with the remaining galleries opening in October 2017. The museum boasts inspirational architecture, a rich heritage, and a collection of more than 30,000 artefacts.
The Bihar Museum's collection is divided into six domains: the Orientation Room, the Wildlife Sanctuary, the history sections on Chandragupta Maurya and Sher Shah Suri, the Arts and Culture section, and the Discovery Room. The Orientation Room introduces visitors to the museum and its collections through a regularly screened film in the auditorium. The Wildlife Sanctuary showcases the flora and fauna native to the state of Bihar, including simulated animals and plants. The history sections delve into the past of Bihar, featuring artefacts from the Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization. The Arts and Culture section likely explores the artistic and cultural aspects of Bihar, while the Discovery Room offers a space for interactive learning, particularly engaging children and families.
The Bihar Museum also houses a publication and education section, a sales counter, and a cafeteria. Visitors can enjoy authentic Bihari cuisine at the on-site restaurant, The Potbelly. The museum has received multiple awards for its design and branding, including the iF Design Award, the German Design Award, and the Kyoorius Inbook Award 2016 for its booklet, "I am Bihar Museum". The museum is well-maintained, spacious, and combines the latest technology with ancient heritage, providing an excellent educational experience for visitors.
The Indian President: Beyond the Law's Reach?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Law Museum, formerly known as 'Attara Kacheri'
The Law Museum, formerly known as Attara Kacheri, is located in Cubbon Park, in the heart of Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), India. The building was constructed between 1864 and 1868-69 under the reign of Tipu Sultan, the Emperor of Mysore. Lewin Bentham Bowring, the then Commissioner of Bengaluru, conceived of the building as a secretariat, and it was designed by Major General Sir Richard Hieram Sankey, the then chief engineer to the Government of Mysore. The name Attara Kacheri refers to the eighteen administrative offices that were originally housed in the building, including the general and revenue secretariat of the erstwhile Mysore State. The building is designed in the Greco-Roman style of architecture, with a majestic pediment supported by Ionic columns and repetitive key stoned semi-circular arches. The red brick and stone building is also notable for its Gothic style and European classical influences.
Attara Kacheri was renamed the High Court of Mysore in 1929, and it continued to serve as the home of the State High Court until 1956, when the administrative offices were shifted to the newly constructed Vidhana Soudha, located opposite Attara Kacheri. Today, the building stands as a symbol of the British era in the city, and it houses a collection of artefacts and antique objects related to courts of historical significance. The museum's collection includes a copy of the original constitution of India, brass seals, badges of peons and process servers, candle stands, and a bronze bell that was used at the Attara Kacheri for ringing office timings and as a mourning reminder on martyr days. The museum also displays the handwritten application and barrister certificate of Mahatma Gandhi for enrolment as a lawyer in the Bombay High Court, an early 20th-century wall clock from the US, and a portrait of Raja Dharma Pravina T.R.A. Thumboochetty, the first Indian to be appointed Chief Judge of Mysore State.
Corporate Law in India: Who Makes the Rules?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$22.99 $16.99
$12.61 $25.99
The Puducherry Museum, formerly known as the 'Pondicherry Law Building'
The Puducherry Museum, formerly known as the Pondicherry Law Building, is located on Saint Louis Street in Puducherry, on the southeast coast of India. This museum offers a comprehensive exploration of the city's past, with over 6,500 exhibits dating back to the prehistoric era. The displays are divided into three distinct eras, taking visitors on a journey through the early period from the 1st to the 4th century, the rule of the Pallavas and Cholas, and the European era under French colonial rule.
The museum's collection includes a variety of artefacts, such as bronze lamps and statues dedicated to various gods and goddesses, relics from the Roman, Greek, and Tsung periods of China, and exhibits in the Geology Room, including ancient coins, shells, fossils, French furniture, and remnants from ancient churches. The Bronze Gallery displays images of deities and a collection of old temple lamps used by different dynasties. The museum also showcases relics from the pre-Christian era and exhibits related to the city's global historical connections.
One of the major attractions of the Puducherry Museum is the ground floor, where visitors can see three unique transport mechanisms: a palanquin, a coach, and an early version of a rickshaw called a "pousse-pousse". The entrance hall and courtyard feature a fossilized tree trunk and various stone sculptures, adding to the allure of the museum. The museum's architecture, with its hallowed halls and corridors, transports visitors back in time, providing an immersive experience of Pondicherry's rich history and culture.
The Puducherry Museum stands as a testament to the cultural and historical significance of the region, offering a glimpse into the past and preserving the stories and heritage of this captivating city for future generations to explore and cherish. With its diverse collection and well-maintained exhibits, it beckons visitors to discover the untold tales and immerse themselves in the fascinating narratives that shaped Puducherry's past.
Black Law: Indian Farmers' Rights and Challenges
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Legal History Museum of GNLU is a museum dedicated to the history of law and judicial activities in India. It is located in Gujarat.
The museum includes exhibits on the evolution of Indian law, the development of judicial institutions, and the history of law in ancient, medieval, and modern times. Some artefacts include a copy of the original constitution of India, brass seals, badges, candle stands, and antiques of Attara Kacheri.
Yes, the National Museum in Delhi may also hold some legal artefacts, as it has received gifts and artefacts through its Art Purchase Committee.
Yes, the Bihar Museum in the state capital, located in northeast India, exhibits old coins from the region.
