The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
In 1772, Warren Hastings introduced a Judicial Plan to regulate the administration of justice in Bengal. This plan established a structured hierarchy of courts, distinguishing between civil and criminal jurisdiction for the first time under British administration.
- Statement 1 is Correct: The plan mandated that each district (then known as a 'Sarkar') should have two separate courts: a Diwani Adalat for civil disputes (property, inheritance, marriage, caste, etc.) and a Faujdari Adalat for criminal offences.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: While the Diwani Adalat (Civil Court) was presided over by the European District Collector, the Faujdari Adalat (Criminal Court) was presided over by Indian officers-a Qazi and a Mufti. These Indian officers administered justice under the general supervision of the Collector, but the Collector did not preside over the criminal court himself.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The European District Collectors were generally unfamiliar with the intricacies of Indian personal laws (Hindu Shastras and Islamic Sharia). Consequently, Maulvis and Hindu Pandits were appointed to assist the Collectors in the Civil Courts by expounding the applicable laws for them.
Key Takeaway: Warren Hastings' Judicial Plan of 1772 placed Civil Courts under the direct presidency of European Collectors, while Criminal Courts remained under Indian judges (Qazi/Mufti) subject to European supervision.