Gnanendramohan Tagore, a member of the Pathuriaghata branch of the Tagore family who had converted to Christianity, was called to the Bar by Lincoln's Inn in 1862, becoming the first Indian (and first Asian) barrister. He also taught Hindu law and Bengali at University College London.
Called to the Bar by Lincoln's Inn, 1862.
Quick check: Who was the first Indian to become a barrister?
Gnanendramohan Tagore
Satyendranath Tagore
Badruddin Tyabji
W.C. Bonnerjee
Answer: A.
1863
Sambhu Nath Pandit
The first Indian High Court judge
Sambhu Nath Pandit became the first Indian to be appointed a judge of the Calcutta High Court, in 1863, a year after the court was established.
First Indian judge of any High Court (Calcutta, 1863).
Quick check: Who was the first Indian judge of the Calcutta High Court?
Dwarkanath Mitter
Sambhu Nath Pandit
Romesh Chunder Mitter
Ashutosh Mukherjee
Answer: B.
1882
Sir Romesh Chunder Mitter
First Indian to head a High Court
Romesh Chunder Mitter, a judge of the Calcutta High Court, became the first Indian to act as Chief Justice of a High Court when he officiated as Chief Justice of Calcutta in 1882.
First Indian (officiating) Chief Justice of a High Court, 1882.
1909
Syed Ameer Ali
The first Indian on the Privy Council
Jurist and author of The Spirit of Islam and a classic treatise on Muhammadan law, Syed Ameer Ali was a judge of the Calcutta High Court and, in 1909, became the first Indian appointed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
First Indian member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
Quick check: Who was the first Indian appointed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council?
Syed Ameer Ali
Tej Bahadur Sapru
Shah Sulaiman
M.R. Jayakar
Answer: A.
1947
The First Law Minister
Dr B.R. Ambedkar
Dr B.R. Ambedkar was independent India's first Minister of Law (1947–1951). He resigned in 1951, in part over the stalling of the Hindu Code Bill.
Resigned in 1951 over the Hindu Code Bill.
Quick check: Why did Dr Ambedkar resign as Law Minister in 1951?
To become a judge
To contest the presidential election
Over the stalling of the Hindu Code Bill
To join the Constituent Assembly
Answer: C.
18 more entries under this heading
Sukumar Sen · India's first Chief Election Commissioner
The First NHRC Chairperson · Justice Ranganath Misra
The First Lokpal · Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose
The First Lokayukta · Maharashtra leads
The First Letter Petition · Sunil Batra
The First Woman High Court Chief Justice · Leila Seth
Firsts from Marginalised Communities · On the Supreme Court
The First Indian at the ICJ · Sir B.N. Rau
The Bar Council of India's Early Years · An Attorney General at the head
The First e-Lok Adalat · Chhattisgarh
Lord S.P. Sinha · First Indian Law Member, peer and provincial Governor
Sir Shadi Lal · The first Indian Chief Justice of a High Court
H.J. Kania at the Federal Court · The first Indian Chief Justice of the Federal Court
First Indian Chief Justices of Bombay and Madras · M.C. Chagla and P.V. Rajamannar
The First Muslim Chief Justice of India · Justice M. Hidayatullah
The First Lok Adalat · Held in Gujarat
Indira Jaising's Firsts · First woman designated Senior Advocate by the Bombay High Court and first woman Additional Solicitor General
The First Impeachment Notice against a Chief Justice · Opposition MPs sought the removal of CJI Dipak Misra
PlusAll 23 entries, and every heading in the LibraryYours from ₹1,499, till CLAT 2028See Plus
