History of 11th June-Franklin Stove & Agra Court
Discover the history of 11th June, featuring Benjamin Franklin’s revolutionary invention, the Franklin Stove, and the establishment and relocation of the Allahabad High Court in India. Learn about these significant milestones and their impact on innovation and the legal system.
Before I share the history of 11th June, let me regale you with an interesting fact about our country. Intriguingly, nestled within the heart of Assam, lies an extraordinary revelation. It unfolds that both the largest and the smallest inhabited river islands reside in the land of Assam. Majuli, a colossal expanse, stands as the unrivaled behemoth, while Umananda, a minuscule wonder, graces the same sacred waters of the mighty Brahmaputra. I will share a full story on this sometime, as of now read the history of 11th June.
Benjamin Franklin and his Stove
Just a few days back I shared a note on Benjamin Franklin and his bifocal lenses. Today as I flip through the history of 11th June, I find yet another revolutionary invention by Franklin the heating device named ‘Franklin Stove’ in the year 1742.
Prior to this, the heating system was the traditional open fireplace which allowed most of the heat to escape through the chimney. Franklin recognized this and envisioned a better way to heat homes while conserving energy and maximizing the heat output.
He incorporated several key features that set it apart. Firstly, it is designed with a cast iron enclosure, which helps to contain the heat and radiate it more effectively into the room. Secondly, the unique design of the stove users to control the airflow as it consists of a hollowed-out structure with an airtight door. Thirdly Franklin’s stove was incorporated with a system of baffles or channels within the stove’s structure. These channels help to guide the smoke and hot gases on a longer path within the stove. This allowed more efficient heat transfer and minimized the amount of smoke that escapes into the room.
As I reflect on this significant achievement, I can’t help but feel grateful for the remarkable progress humanity continues to make through innovation and scientific discovery. Benjamin Franklin’s Franklin Stove is a testament to the power of human intellect and our unwavering pursuit of improvement.
Now let us shift our focus back to India with my second story from the history of 11th June.
The Allahabad High Court
In 1861, the British Parliament enacted the Indian High Court Act, which marked the beginning of India’s present-day legal system. The first high court to be established under this act was the Calcutta High Court. On June 11, 1866, the Agra High Court was founded, which was later renamed the Allahabad High Court.
The foundation stone for the Agra High Court was laid on November 19, 1864, by Sir John Lawrence, the then Viceroy of India. The court was designed by Richard Roskell Bayne, a renowned architect, and its construction was completed in 1866. The magnificent building, with its Indo-Gothic architectural style, stood as a testament to the grandeur and power of the British Raj.
However, as time went on, it became apparent that the location of the Agra High Court in Agra was not ideal. Agra, with its proximity to the Mughal capital of Delhi, was the political center of the region, but it lacked the necessary infrastructure to cater to the demands of a high court. Moreover, the rapid growth of Allahabad as an administrative and commercial center necessitated a change in the location of the high court.
Consequently, on March 17, 1869, the Agra High Court was shifted from Agra to Allahabad, a city strategically situated at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers in the North-Western Provinces. The move was seen as a logical step to ensure better accessibility and improved judicial administration. The court building in Agra was later converted into a college, which is now known as the Agra College.
The Allahabad High Court holds the distinction of being one of the oldest high courts in India and enjoys a reputation for its excellence in legal scholarship. Its jurisdiction covers the state of Uttar Pradesh and it serves as the highest judicial authority in the region. The high court also has the power of superintendence over all subordinate courts within its territorial jurisdiction.
Some of the historic judgments by the Allahabad High Court are State of Uttar Pradesh v. Raj Narain (1975 AIR 865, 1975 SCR (3) 333) in the year 1975, the Babri Masjid Judgement in 2010, and many more.
With this, I come to the end of today’s edition from the history of 11th June. Have a great Sunday.
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