What is Law? Exploring Its Meaning, History, and Various Types

India follows a democratic system, and the Constitution of India guarantees several rights to every citizen. The Indian Constitution has also established laws along with the rights. These laws make sure to protect and respect the constitutional rights of all Indian citizens. When individuals try to take unfair advantage of their rights or harm others, the law steps in to correct such behaviour.

In this way, the law plays an important role in protecting people, resolving conflicts, and maintaining public order.

Are you interested in pursuing legal studies? Do you aspire to build a career in law? If yes, you must know the answer to the question: What is law? You should understand the meaning of law and various types of law.

This blog will help you understand the same and will also shed light on the history of law in India.

What is Law?

Law is a field that deals with the rules and practices that guide how a society functions. These rules are accepted as binding by the community and are enforced by recognised authorities such as governments or social institutions. It reflects values such as fairness, justice, honesty, and responsibility. From a legal point of view, law includes statutes, policies, court decisions, rules, and official orders. You must understand that, because the state's authority supports it, breaking the law leads to penalties or punishment.

Meaning of Law

The term “law” is often traced to the Teutonic word “Lag,” meaning “definite,” though scholars continue to debate its etymology.

While different thinkers define law in different ways, you must remember that the main idea remains the same: law sets limits, maintains order, and helps society function fairly for everyone.

History of Law in India

Understanding the history of law helps you know how rules slowly evolved with time. Here is a quick overview of the history of law in India.

Ancient India

1. Early legal ideas grew from religious texts such as the Vedas and Upanishads.
2. Regulatory systems existed during the Indus Valley civilisation.
3. Ancient Indian law centred on duty/righteousness, with kings administering justice guided by the learned people of the court.

British Rule (1726 to 1947)

1. The British introduced the common law system in 1726.
2. The Mayor’s Courts were established in Madras, Bombay, and Calcutta.
3. The court system expanded further with time.
4. Following 1857, legal control shifted to the British Crown.
5. High Courts were established in 1862, and the Privy Council became the highest appellate authority.
6. The Legal Practitioners Act of 1846 allowed Indians to practise law.
7. The Indian Penal Code, the Evidence Act, and the Contracts Act came into existence.

Post-Independence (1947 till Present)

1. The Constitution of India, drafted under the leadership of B. R. Ambedkar, came into force in 1950.
2. It restructured the colonial legal system.
3. Law became the foundation of India’s democratic structure, protecting equality as well as the fundamental rights of each citizen of the country.
4. India continues to follow the common law system, adapted to suit its social and political needs.

Types of Law

You should understand that the law is not a single subject. Rather, it is a group of different branches. The various types of law in India are explained below, helping you understand how rules apply in multiple situations.

Constitutional Law

This is the foundation of the legal system. It explains how the country is governed and defines the relationship between people, the state, and its institutions.

Statutory Law

These are laws passed by legislatures. They cover everyday matters such as civil duties, criminal offences, and regulatory rules that affect daily life.

Administrative Law

This area of law focuses on how government departments and public authorities work. It checks their powers and makes sure decisions are taken fairly and responsibly.

Civil Rights Law

Civil Rights Law in India mainly refers to the Fundamental Rights in the Constitution (Part III), ensuring equality, freedom, and dignity for all citizens, prohibiting discrimination based on religion, race, caste, etc.

Property Law

Property law explains who owns what and how land or personal assets can be used, shared, or transferred. It also helps settle ownership conflicts.

Family Law

This branch looks after legal matters connected to relationships, including marriage, divorce, adoption, and inheritance.

Criminal Law

Criminal law identifies acts that harm society and lays down punishments to protect people and maintain public order.

Conclusion

Law is more than written rules; it is a guideline, a framework that helps society function in a balanced way. As Indian law continues to evolve with changing needs, studying it opens rewarding career paths. To begin your journey in the legal field, you should start by exploring the professional legal courses.

JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) offers various types of law programmes. Explore the popular law programmes such as BA LLB and LLB (Hons) and apply online today.

FAQs

Q1: What is law?

A1: Law is a system of order and justice in a society. It is a code of regulations, provided by social or governmental institutions, that governs the conduct of society.

Q2: What is rule of law?

A2: According to the rule of law, every individual and institution in a political unit is equal before the law.

Q3: Why do we need law?

A3: We need laws to keep our society safe and protected. Laws help maintain order, protect people’s rights and ensure societal fairness. Laws provide ways to resolve disputes fairly and peacefully.

Q4: Who is father of law in India?

A4: Dr B. R. Ambedkar is regarded as the Father of the Indian Constitution in India because of his key role in drafting the Indian Constitution.

Q5: Which law is best to study?

A5: There is no single “best” law to study. The right choice depends on what interests you and the kind of career you want. However, corporate law, criminal law, intellectual property law, and environmental law are popular and offer strong career opportunities.

Q6: How many Laws are there in India?

A6: As of March 2024, there are around 893 Central laws listed by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India.