Previous Year Question

Maharaja Ranjit Singh established the Adalat-i-Ala at Lahore. It was a superior judicial institution of his kingdom and heard appeals against the decisions of subordinate courts.

Ranjit Singh captured Lahore in 1799 CE and subsequently made it the political capital of his kingdom. During his reign, Lahore became a major centre of administration, military organisation and judicial administration.

His judicial system was not a fully codified judicial system in the modern sense. Local customs and usages were also given importance while administering justice.

At the village level, Panchayats played a role in settling disputes. Above them were courts associated with local administrative officers. Kardars performed judicial functions at the district or local level, while Nazims exercised judicial authority at the provincial level.

Appeals against the decisions of these subordinate courts could be taken to the Adalat-i-Ala at Lahore. Thus, the Adalat-i-Ala functioned as the central superior court of the kingdom.

Although the Adalat-i-Ala was a high judicial institution, the ultimate source of justice was Maharaja Ranjit Singh himself. Appeals and petitions could also be presented to him when necessary.

Amritsar was an extremely important religious and commercial centre of Ranjit Singh's kingdom, but the Adalat-i-Ala was not established there. Similarly, Firozpur and Multan were not its location.