Author | Lightnews

Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Jan 2

From Babur’s Qazis to British courts, the Mughal judicial system evolved through adaptation and resilience. It’s a story of how history shapes the institutions we live by today. 🌟 #IndianHistory #MughalJustice #Thread (10/10)

Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Jan 2

Today, India’s judiciary reflects its Mughal past. Personal laws for Hindus and Muslims? Panchayats as village courts? These traditions trace back to Akbar’s inclusivity and Aurangzeb’s codification. 🕊️ #ModernIndia #MughalInfluence #Judiciary (9/10)

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Jan 2

Elsewhere, the Ottomans and Safavids also relied on Islamic law, like the Mughals. Meanwhile, Renaissance Europe was veering toward secular legal codes. A global tapestry of justice systems! 🌍 #ComparativeHistory #OttomanEmpire #Safavids (8/10)

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Jan 2

Lord Cornwallis (1793) revamped courts further. British judges replaced Qazis for criminal cases, but civil disputes still followed personal laws. Institutions like the Sadar Diwani Adalat were Mughal-inspired. 🏛️ #Cornwallis #JudicialReform #India (7/10)

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Jan 2

When the British arrived, they didn’t erase the Mughal system—they co-opted it. In Bengal (1765), Warren Hastings codified Hindu and Muslim personal laws, blending tradition with colonial needs. 🏴‍☠️ #BritishIndia #ColonialHistory #LawReform (6/10)

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Jan 2

As Mughal power waned, regional kingdoms adapted their judiciary. While central control weakened, Qazis and local panchayats still shaped everyday justice across the land. ⚖️ #DeclineOfEmpires #Judiciary #History (5/10)

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Jan 2

Aurangzeb (1658–1707) codified Islamic law in the Fatawa-i-Alamgiri, emphasizing Sharia for criminal cases. Yet, Hindu panchayats remained powerful locally, showing the system’s flexibility. 📖 #Aurangzeb #FatawaAlamgiri #Law (4/10)

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Jan 2

Akbar (1556–1605), the great reformer, reshaped the judiciary. Hindu laws were included for civil cases, and non-Muslims were given roles in governance. His advisor, Abu’l-Fazl, was the mastermind behind this inclusivity. 🌏 #AkbarTheGreat #InclusiveJustice (3/10)

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Jan 2

It began with Babur, who brought Timurid traditions and Sharia-based governance to India in 1526. His judicial system, though basic, laid the foundation for an empire that would evolve justice for centuries. 📜 #MughalHistory #Babur #IslamicLaw (2/10)

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Jan 2

The Mughal Empire wasn’t just about grandeur—it had a sophisticated judicial system blending Islamic law, local traditions, and inclusivity. This legacy still echoes in modern India’s judiciary. Let’s uncover this fascinating history. 🏛️ #History #India #MughalJustice (1/10)

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 30

From Ashoka’s inscriptions to Tilak’s fiery articles, Indian journalism has informed, inspired, and empowered people for centuries. What’s your favorite chapter of this incredible journey? Let’s discuss! 🗨️ 10/10
#IndianHistory #MediaLegacy #Journalism

Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 30

Indian journalism wasn’t an isolated phenomenon. Its evolution mirrored global trends—Mughal Akhbarat matched the Peking Gazette, while the vernacular press paralleled revolutionary pamphlets in Europe. 9/10
#GlobalHistory #ComparativeMedia

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 30

Nationalist Journalism: Newspapers like Kesari (1881, Marathi) by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Amrita Bazar Patrika (1868) challenged colonial rule. Journalism became a weapon for India’s independence movement. 8/10
#FreedomStruggle #MediaForChange

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 30

Social Reform in the 19th Century: Reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy used newspapers like Sambad Kaumudi (1821) to fight against social evils like sati. Journalism became a platform for progressive change. 7/10
#SocialReform #MediaPower

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 30

Rise of Vernacular Newspapers:
• Samachar Darpan (1818): First Bengali newspaper.
• Bombay Samachar (1822): Oldest Gujarati paper, still in print!
• Jam-i-Jahan Numa (1822): Pioneer in Urdu journalism.
The press became a voice for regional India. 6/10
#VernacularPress #IndianMedia

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 30

Colonial Era: The printing press revolutionized journalism in India. Hicky’s Bengal Gazette (1780), the first printed newspaper, exposed corruption but faced censorship. Modern Indian journalism was born. 5/10
#ColonialIndia #PressHistory

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 30

The Mughal Akhbarat resembled the Peking Gazette in China—both centralized news systems for rulers. Medieval Indian journalism was sophisticated and comparable to global practices of its time. 4/10
#ComparativeHistory #GlobalMedia

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 30

Mughal Era: The Mughals institutionalized information with Waqia-Nawis (newswriters) and Akhbarat (handwritten newsletters). These early “newspapers” reported local events to the court, laying the groundwork for systematic journalism. 3/10
#MughalHistory #JournalismHistory

Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 30

Ancient India: Journalism’s roots lie in Ashokan Edicts (3rd century BCE), where Emperor Ashoka used inscriptions to communicate policies and moral teachings across his empire. Early public communication at its finest. 2/10
#AncientIndia #Ashoka #MediaHistory

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 30

Indian journalism has a legacy that spans centuries—starting with ancient edicts, evolving through Mughal newsletters, and driving revolutions during British rule. Let’s explore how it shaped history and society! 🧵👇
#IndianHistory #Journalism #MediaEvolution

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 29

The Mughals’ local administration wasn’t just about empire—it’s a story of innovation, inclusivity, and resilience. Modern Indian bureaucracy, courts, and rural governance trace back to their legacy.

#MughalIndia #IndianHistory #Empires 10/10

Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 29

Mughals ruled 4 million sq km of land.
Akbar’s administration supported an army of 1 million, the largest globally.
By the 1800s, remnants of the Mughal system still governed 190 million Indians under British rule.

#GlobalComparisons #History 9/10

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 29

By the 18th century, Mughal governance weakened due to decentralization and invasions. The British co-opted their efficient systems:
• Subahs → Presidencies
• Qanungos → Patwaris
• Mansabdari → Zamindari System
#ColonialHistory #Legacy 8/10

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 29

Revenue surveys led by Todar Mal were unprecedented in precision.
Local governance was multi-religious: Hindus, Muslims, and even women like Jahanara Begum influenced policy.
Urban centers like Delhi & Agra were meticulously planned, mirroring Ottoman Constantinople.
#Innovation #Governance 7/10

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Ajivika @ajivika.bsky.social · Dec 29

Dahsala System: Taxes = 1/3 of produce, calculated using detailed land surveys.
Justice: Emperor as the supreme judge, but local courts handled disputes efficiently.
Statistical Genius: Akbar’s surveys covered 100+ crop types & irrigation details.
#Taxation #History 6/10

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