During whose tenure was the first High Court established in Kolkata?

Correct option is D

Correct Answer: D) Warren Hastings

Explanation:

The first High Court in Kolkata (Calcutta High Court) was officially established in 1862 under the Indian High Courts Act of 1861. However, judicial reforms in Bengal began under Warren Hastings, who was the Governor-General of Bengal (1772–1785). He reorganized the judicial system by setting up district civil and criminal courts.

• The Calcutta High Court is the oldest High Court in India, established on July 1, 1862.
• The Indian High Courts Act, 1861, provided for the creation of High Courts in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras.
• Sir Barnes Peacock was the first Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court.
• Warren Hastings' judicial reforms laid the foundation for British judicial administration in India.
• The Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William (1774) was the first British-established court in India.

• (A) Vansittart – Incorrect; Henry Vansittart (1760–1764) was the Governor of Bengal, not associated with judicial reforms.
• (B) Verelst – Incorrect; John Verelst (1767–1769) focused on administration, not judiciary.
• (C) Robert Clive – Incorrect; Clive (1757, 1765–1767) was known for military conquests, not judicial reforms.