The Supreme Court of Judicature at Madras was established by a charter of King George III issued in:

The Supreme Court of Judicature at Madras was established by a charter (letters patent) issued by King George III in 1800; it began functioning in 1801.

Background:

• The English East India Company had set up various courts in its settlements, such as the Mayor's Courts (1726) and later the Recorder's Courts.
• The Regulating Act of 1773 provided for a Supreme Court at Calcutta, which was set up in 1774.
• Later, similar Supreme Courts were set up in the other presidency towns.

About the Supreme Court at Madras:

• It replaced the Recorder's Court of Madras.
• It consisted of a Chief Justice and other judges, appointed by the Crown.
• It had jurisdiction over the British subjects and the residents of the town of Madras.
• It applied English law in most matters, while Hindu and Muslim laws were applied in matters of inheritance and succession for Indians.
• The first Chief Justice was Sir Thomas Strange.

Supreme Court at Bombay:

A Supreme Court was set up at Bombay in 1823.

The High Courts:

• Under the Indian High Courts Act of 1861, the Supreme Courts and the Company's Sadar Adalats in the presidency towns were merged to form High Courts.
• The High Courts of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras were set up in 1862.

The Madras High Court:

• It began functioning on 15 August 1862.
• Its red-brick building, built in the Indo-Saracenic style, is one of the largest court complexes in the world.
• It has jurisdiction over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Why not the other options?

• ✗1774 was the year of the Supreme Court at Calcutta.
• ✗1823 was the year of the Supreme Court at Bombay.
• ✗1862 was the year of the High Courts.