This paper brings the 1858 trial of 82 years old Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar into the mainstream international law. It discusses the aesthetical aspects of Zafar’s trial, who was tried as a British Subject, despite being the Indian sovereign. The paper argues that the trial was used as a tool to colonise India. It also points out the treatment given to Zafar post his arrest, when he was displayed to the Europeans ‘like a beast in a cage’. It highlights the confusing nature of the trial which was, at times, presented as an enquiry. Moreover, it tells Zafar’s story from his point of view. The paper also highlights the blind-spots in the subject of international law where Zafar’s trial finds no mention. It provokes readers to question their understanding of colonialism by pointing out the well-known nature of trial of Warren Hastings, but the obscurity surrounding Zafar’s trial.
Purchase
Buy instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
Institutional Login
Log in with Open Athens, Shibboleth, or your institutional credentials
Personal login
Log in with your brill.com account
All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
---|---|---|---|
Abstract Views | 1880 | 312 | 53 |
Full Text Views | 87 | 28 | 3 |
PDF Views & Downloads | 198 | 70 | 8 |
This paper brings the 1858 trial of 82 years old Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar into the mainstream international law. It discusses the aesthetical aspects of Zafar’s trial, who was tried as a British Subject, despite being the Indian sovereign. The paper argues that the trial was used as a tool to colonise India. It also points out the treatment given to Zafar post his arrest, when he was displayed to the Europeans ‘like a beast in a cage’. It highlights the confusing nature of the trial which was, at times, presented as an enquiry. Moreover, it tells Zafar’s story from his point of view. The paper also highlights the blind-spots in the subject of international law where Zafar’s trial finds no mention. It provokes readers to question their understanding of colonialism by pointing out the well-known nature of trial of Warren Hastings, but the obscurity surrounding Zafar’s trial.
All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
---|---|---|---|
Abstract Views | 1880 | 312 | 53 |
Full Text Views | 87 | 28 | 3 |
PDF Views & Downloads | 198 | 70 | 8 |