Indian Jurisprudence is an amalgamation of multi religious, multi cultural and multi regional society. The concept of Law has been in existence since time immemorial. The Indian Judicial System has been progressed with the passage of time and played effective role in securing freedom and equality to all.

State Judiciary is part and parcel of Administration of Justice in India. It has immensely contributed in upholding the Rules of Law and dispensing Justice. Mr.Justice Cyriac Joseph, the then Hon’ble Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court mooted the idea to set up a Museum in the High Court to commemorate the completion of 50 glorious years of the High Court of Karnataka.

Accordingly a Museum was opened on November 4, 2006 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the High Court of Karnataka. It was inaugurated by the then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India, Hon’ble Mr.Justice Y.K Sabarwal. The one-of-its kind museum was housed in the Diwans Tea Hall. It is now shifted to the Ground Floor of the High Court Building.

The setting up of a Museum is to preserve, protect and display the Objects/Antiques/Artifacts and Records (Documents) related to State Judiciary, for the posterity, as a Record of History. This Museum portrays the development of Judiciary in the State through the Objects/Artifacts which were part and parcel of Judicial Administration of the State through the years.

* HAND MADE CHAIR: (YEAR.1933):

This Chair is one of the best collection & attraction of this Museum. The District Judge of Karwar One Sri.R.B.H.Davis had himself prepared the chair. The said chair was in the District Court Karwar (Uttara Kannada, earlier and now it has been brought to Bengaluru).

* Brass Bell:

(Approximately it Weights more than 150 K.G): At Attara Kacheri Building (High Court Building), Bronze Bell was used for the purpose of ofce timings and also at the time of mourning on Martyr day, in olden days.

* King Nijamas Period Antiques: (19th Century)

We have a collection of Brass Seals, Brass Badges of Peons & Process Servers pertaining to the King Nijamas period, Kalaburagi.

* Wall Clock (Year 1902 A.D):

This wall clock “ANSONIA” was made in U.S.A pertaining to the year 1902. It has special features, viz., one spring to move the HOUR and MINUTE HANDS and another to move the HAND indicating DATE of the Month. It was adorning the Main Court Hall of the then District Munsiff Court of Karkala (now in Udupi District) for nearly a century. Even now it is in working condition and according to the local maker, the parts of the machine are made of no-rusting metal.

* Portrait of Raja Dharma Pravina T.R.A. Thumboochetty:

He was the Chief Judge of Mysore State from the 1st March 1891 to the 11th August 1900. In addition, he was also the First Indian to be appointed as a Chief Judge in the whole of India. Totally we have 56 items (Antiques & Artifacts, etc) that are collected and displayed. Even now, we are making efforts to collect some more Judicial Antiques and Artifacts through other District Courts in the State.

* Binocular and Portrait of Raja Dharma Praveena Devan Bahadu Sri. P. Mahadevaiah:

Recently this office has received a binocular which had been used by Raja Dharma Praveena Devan Bahadu Sri. P. Mahadevaiah, First Kannadiga Chief Justice of Mysore State. As informed by his family that the binocular is made in England which he brought when he visited the Europe.

Note:

The Public may donate the Antiques and Artifacts viz., Copper Plates, Inscriptions, Manuscripts etc., relating to the Judicial System of the past Rulers of the Karnataka State. The name of the donor will be labeled on the donated antiques and exhibited the same in the High Court Museum.