The Sovereign, Subject and Colonial Justice: Revisiting the Trial of Bahadur Shah, 1858

This volume analyses the Trial of Bahadur Shah, a watershed moment in 19th century colonial history of India. The Trial of Bahadur Shah raises the contentious issue of sovereignty - trial of the Emperor Bahadur Shah, de jure power by de facto claimant to power, the English East India Company. There has been a lot of confusion and controversy over the Trial, ever since the proceedings began - its main architects could not define if it really was a juristic trial, a court of inquiry, a court-martial or a general inquiry? This book sheds light on this event through original unprinted manuscript of the Trial at end of the uprising of the 1857. It critically investigates the Trial, mainly its architecture, grammar, functioning and findings from historical, political and juridical perspectives to determine, as far as possible, the actual position of Emperor Bahadur Shah, his strengths and his weaknesses. Further, it examines the Rebellion of 1857, particularly in Delhi, and Bahadur Shah’s role therein.

A key reading on justice in colonial history, this volume will be of interest to researchers and scholars of colonial and imperial history, modern history, political theory, and South Asia studies. It will also of great interest to general readers interested in learning about the colonisation of India by the British and its commercial arm East India Company.