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Volume 2: Act No. III of 1872 to Act No. II of 1882

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Period Covered: 1872-1882
Historical Context: Early colonial legal framework establishment during British administrative consolidation

Overview

This volume represents a crucial decade in the development of British India's legal system, establishing fundamental civil and commercial laws that would shape the subcontinent's legal framework for generations. The period saw the codification of contract law, property rights, and administrative procedures.

Historical Significance

  • Contract Law Foundation: The Contract Act, 1872 - fundamental commercial law
  • Property Rights: Legal framework for property ownership and transfer
  • Administrative Systems: Government banking, survey systems, and municipal governance
  • Social Legislation: Marriage laws and religious society regulations
  • Colonial Infrastructure: Arms control, irrigation, and frontier administration
  • Commercial Framework: Negotiable instruments and banking regulations

Table of Acts (আইনসমূহের তালিকা)

Note: Individual act detail pages are referenced from the official government website. The acts listed below can be found in Volume 2 of the Laws of Bangladesh.

আইনের নাম / Act Name আইন নম্বর বছর অবস্থা লিংক
The Special Marriage Act, 1872 III ১৮৭২ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Contract Act, 1872 ⭐ IX ১৮৭২ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Christian Marriage Act, 1872 XV ১৮৭২ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Government Savings Banks Act, 1873 V ১৮৭৩ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Oaths Act, 1873 X ১৮৭৩ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Married Women's Property Act, 1874 ⭐ III ১৮৭৪ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Foreign Recruiting Act, 1874 IV ১৮৭৪ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Survey Act, 1875 V ১৮৭৫ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Majority Act, 1875 IX ১৮৭৫ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Law Reports Act, 1875 XVIII ১৮৭৫ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Irrigation Act, 1876 III ১৮৭৬ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Specific Relief Act, 1877 ⭐ I ১৮৭৭ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Treasure-Trove Act, 1878 VI ১৮৭৮ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Arms Act, 1878 ⭐ XI ১৮৭৮ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Court of Wards Act, 1879 IX ১৮৭৯ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Touts Act, 1879 XVIII ১৮৭৯ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Religious Societies Act, 1880 I ১৮৮০ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Vaccination Act, 1880 V ১৮৮০ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Kazis Act, 1880 XII ১৮৮০ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
THE CHITTAGONG HILL-TRACTS FRONTIER POLICE REGULATION, 1881 ⭐ III ১৮৮১ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Municipal Taxation Act, 1881 XI ১৮৮১ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Obstructions in Fairways Act, 1881 XVI ১৮৮১ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 ⭐ XXVI ১৮৮১ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট
The Trusts Act, 1882 ⭐ II ১৮৮২ সক্রিয় 📋 সরকারি সাইট

Key Legislation Highlights

⭐ Landmark Legislation

  • The Contract Act, 1872: Foundation of commercial law in the subcontinent
  • The Specific Relief Act, 1877: Civil remedies and enforcement mechanisms
  • The Arms Act, 1878: Colonial security and weapon control
  • The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881: Banking and commercial paper framework
  • The Trusts Act, 1882: Trust law and property management
  • The Married Women's Property Act, 1874: Women's property rights protection
  • THE CHITTAGONG HILL-TRACTS FRONTIER POLICE REGULATION, 1881: Special frontier administration

💼 Commercial and Banking Framework

  • The Government Savings Banks Act, 1873: Modern banking system establishment
  • The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881: Commercial paper and banking regulations
  • The Municipal Taxation Act, 1881: Local government revenue framework

📊 Major Categories

  • 💼 Commercial & Contract Law: 4 acts (Contract, specific relief, negotiable instruments, trusts)
  • 👰 Marriage & Family Law: 3 acts (Special marriage, Christian marriage, married women's property)
  • 🏛️ Administrative & Legal System: 4 acts (Oaths, law reports, court of wards, touts)
  • 🏔️ Regional & Frontier Administration: 1 act (Hill tracts frontier police)
  • 💰 Banking & Finance: 2 acts (Government savings banks, municipal taxation)
  • 🌾 Agriculture & Infrastructure: 2 acts (Irrigation, survey)
  • 🔫 Security & Arms Control: 1 act (Arms)
  • 🏥 Public Health: 1 act (Vaccination)
  • 🕌 Religious Affairs: 2 acts (Religious societies, kazis)
  • 🚢 Transportation & Maritime: 1 act (Obstructions in fairways)
  • 👥 Civil Rights & Personal Law: 2 acts (Majority, foreign recruiting)
  • 💎 Property & Treasure: 1 act (Treasure-trove)

💼 Commercial Law Revolution

The Contract Act, 1872 established: - Agreement Framework: Principles of valid contracts - Commercial Foundation: Basis for all business transactions - Legal Certainty: Clear rules for contract enforcement - Modern Commerce: Framework for colonial trade - Lasting Legacy: Still governs Bangladesh contract law

⚖️ Civil Remedies Framework

The Specific Relief Act, 1877 provided: - Property Protection: Specific performance of contracts - Civil Enforcement: Remedies beyond monetary damages - Injunctive Relief: Court orders for specific actions - Property Disputes: Resolution mechanisms - Legal Completeness: Comprehensive civil remedy system

🔫 Security and Control

The Arms Act, 1878 introduced: - Weapon Control: Licensing and registration system - Colonial Security: Control over civilian armaments - Frontier Protection: Special provisions for border areas - Administrative Control: Government oversight of weapons - Public Safety: Prevention of armed conflicts

👰 Women's Rights Advancement

The Married Women's Property Act, 1874 provided: - Property Rights: Women's control over their property - Legal Equality: Enhanced legal status for married women - Economic Empowerment: Financial independence for women - Social Progress: Challenge to traditional restrictions - Modern Framework: Foundation for women's property rights

📈 Statistical Overview

  • Total Acts: 24
  • Currently Active: 24 (100%)
  • Repealed: 0 (0%)
  • 1872-1875 Acts: 10 (Foundation period)
  • 1876-1882 Acts: 14 (Consolidation period)

🏔️ Frontier Administration

The CHITTAGONG HILL-TRACTS FRONTIER POLICE REGULATION, 1881 established: - Special Policing: Frontier law enforcement - Border Security: Protection of hill tract areas - Indigenous Relations: Administration of tribal areas - Colonial Control: Government authority in remote regions - Administrative Innovation: Special governance model

💰 Banking and Finance Development

Early financial legislation: - The Government Savings Banks Act, 1873: Modern banking system - The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881: Commercial paper framework - The Municipal Taxation Act, 1881: Local revenue generation

💡 Innovation and Reform

This volume introduced several innovations: - Complete Contract Framework: Systematic commercial law - Women's Property Rights: Progressive gender equality - Modern Banking System: Financial service infrastructure - Frontier Administration: Special governance for remote areas - Civil Remedy System: Comprehensive legal enforcement

This volume established the foundational legal framework for civil and commercial law in colonial Bengal, with landmark contract law, women's rights, and banking regulations that continue to influence modern Bangladesh jurisprudence.