Law Enforcement : History And Origin Of Police In India

There are no precise laws or rules that can be linked to the founding of the police in India, which dates back to the Vedic era. Similar to the modern police system, the kings of this era used their police forces primarily for tax collection and defence. Organizations’ primary goals were to keep an eye out for wrongdoers and bring them to justice. These goals varied depending on the stage of social development.

The word “police” is comes from the Latin term “politia,” which denotes a state’s situation. The phrase refers to a framework of rules intended to maintain law and order. In general, it refers to the deliberate upkeep of public order and the defence of people and property against the conduct of unlawful crimes against them. It also refers to the civil servants tasked with preserving public safety, upholding the rule of law, and combating crime through both prevention and detection. In a vast, ethnically diverse, cosmopolitan nation like India with a large population, this endeavour is made all the more challenging.

Background of Police Services in India

The beginning of the 19th century marks the beginning of the modern Indian police force. Before the British era and for a long time even after the start of the rule, the concept of a separate regular police force as it exists now was never considered. Warren Hastings only began introducing many initiatives for police reforms under the Company’s authority for the first time in 1774, which subsequently culminated in the Police Act of 1861. Sir Charles Napier was appointed to oversee the management of Sind’s newly gained area (now in Pakistan). He reformed the local police system to address this crime-ridden and challenging area, enabling it to operate effectively and deliver the required outcomes.

Background of Police Services in Ancient India

As both the Rig and the Atharva Veda identify certain types of crimes known to the Vedic people, the origins of police can be dated to the early Vedic period. In fact, finding demonstrates that security troops existed even during the Harappan era. Even though a precise description of the criminal justice system as during Vedic period is unknown, the Mauryan period shows many of the same elements in action. The Arthashastra, written by Kautilya in 310 BC, is a treatise on the legal system. It has the feel of a contemporary police guidebook. DANVARIKA, ANTEVANSIKA, PRADESIKAS, MAHAMATRAS, RAJJUKAS, and other terms are mentioned. Police were divided into three categories: antpal, durgapal, and dandpal.

Background of Police Services in Medieval India

Police groups are not mentioned anywhere. It could be because there was more emphasis placed on military occupation and conquests, with no real effort made to organise or manage civil administration. In an effort to adapt the police system to the social structure of India, the Muslim invaders did make some attempts to implement it. However, the Islamic justice, punishment, and law enforcement systems were based on the Holy Quran. During the Sultanate era, the Hindu population was governed by a different set of laws, and the Pandits were employed to interpret and comment on Hindu law. Officials of the Muhtasib and Muqaddam levels were in charge of administration.

Background of Police Services in Modern India

Whatever police system was popular at the time in the region further degenerated after the British victory at Plassey in 1757 and the collapse of the Mughal Empire. The Criminal Procedure Code and Indian Penal Code both went into effect in 1862. When the Evidence Act was put into effect in 1872, the Qazis, Muftis, and Pandits were superseded, along with Islamic and Hindu law. The British made modifications to the way government operated, but they kept the Mughal system of law enforcement. Kotwals, Thanedar, Pargana, and Darogah were among the subsequent ranks. However, the Perso-Arabic paradigm gradually changed, and the British approach to police was adopted.

The Birtish Crown Era

The Mughal empire began to fall apart by the early 19th century, and up until the middle of the century, there was no effective police force, largely due to British ignorance of the region and lack of experience there. Prior to Cornwallis’s arrival in India as Governor-General in 1792, zamindars continued to maintain law and order. He did away with the zamindari system and gave control of law and order to Thanedars. There were also made some other reforms. Later, a policing model created by Napier resulted in the Indian Police Act of 1861, and is also the foundation of the present law enforcement system.

The Emergence of Indian Police Act of 1860

After the uprising of 1857, the British realised they were in danger of losing control and were determined to maintain total suzerainty and crush any attempts to overthrow them. In order to make police an effective tool for the prevention and detection of crime, a Police Commission was established in 1860.

The Present Structure of Police Services in India

After 1860, there were 2 techniques used to select top police officers: initially, officials from the British Army were appointed, and second, younger sons of British landed gentry were nominated. In 1893, these two practises were forbidden. Officers were now hired through a joint competitive exam that was exclusively open to Europeans and was held in London. Later, Indians were allowed access as well. The Union Public Service Commission now conducts the Combined Civil Services Examination every year for the purpose of hiring new employees. All India Services are mentioned in Article 312 of the Indian Constitution. Probationers who are hired go through extremely rigorous initial training in physical education, weapons, and other activities.

Conclusion

There is hardly much written about the Indian police system. Police work has always changed and still needs to change. It must quickly become a professional service rather than one that merely follows orders from the authority without question. The police force needs a comprehensive makeover in the areas of training, ethics, public conduct, public dealing manners, criminal procedural codes, power, and freedom. It’s time to transform the perception of the police as a paan-chewing, impolite, unpleasant, aggressive, and bully figure dressed in khaki that dates back to the British era.