Syllabus

GS 2: Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.

Context:  

June 15, 2025, marked the 810th anniversary of the Magna Carta, a blueprint of democracy.

More on the news

• Last month, Harvard University found one of the earliest versions of the Magna Carta in its collection. It dates back to the year 1300 and was earlier thought to be just a copy.

• On May 15, Harvard Law School said that the Magna Carta is seen as a major step in the fight for human rights against oppressive rulers. 

• It has also inspired many constitutions around the world.

• Over time, several versions of the Magna Carta were released and today four original copies still survive—one even sold for \$21.3 million in 2007.

About Magna Carta

• The Magna Carta was signed on June 15, 1215, at Runnymede Meadows near London. 

• However, it was cancelled just a few weeks later. Most of its content dealt with local administrative matters.

• Eight hundred and ten years ago, an English king accepted an important document that laid the groundwork for modern democracies. 

• A group of English barons wanted to limit King John's unchecked powers. They made him accept certain rules, the most important being that the king must follow the law.

Early beginning 

• The Magna Carta was sealed during a time when King John faced many military defeats. 

• In 1204, the King of France captured Normandy and Anjou. To raise money for campaigns to recover these lands, King John increased taxes on his people.

• The main reason the barons rebelled against King John was his defeat in the Battle of Bouvines in 1214. He lost this battle to the King of France, Philip II Augustus.

• In medieval times, barons were given land by the king in return for their loyalty and help, like sending knights during wars. 

• But many barons were unhappy with King John because of how he treated them and his constant demand for war, even after repeated losses. 

• They refused to support him in battle. King John then formed an alliance with the German Holy Roman Emperor Otto and the Counts of Flanders and Boulogne, but he still lost.

Resistance and Acceptance

• Historian J.C. Holt noted that it wasn't unusual for kings to give up some power after losing battles, as similar agreements were made across Europe. 

• Still, the Magna Carta was a big step toward defining rights in a time when there was no constitution.

• Its signing at Runnymede produced a long charter of over 3,500 words and 63 clauses and marked the beginning of a long and difficult path to modern democracy.

• Clause 39 of the Magna Carta stated that no free man could be punished without a fair trial whereas Clause 40 promised that justice would not be sold, denied or delayed to anyone. 

• Copies of the Magna Carta were sent to every county to be read aloud so people would know about it. 

• But within three months, King John tried to cancel it with the Pope’s help, fearing he was losing too much power, which led the barons to turn against him.

• He invited the French king’s son to take the English crown. John died in 1216 and his nine-year-old son, Henry III was made king, with a promise to honor the Magna Carta to win back the barons' support. 

Mains practice question

The Magna Carta is often seen as a foundational document in the evolution of constitutional governance and rule of law. Discuss its historical context, key principles, and lasting impact on modern democratic institutions.