New Delhi, October 23, 2025, In the heart of Delhi’s bustling Sabzi Mandi, where the aroma of fresh vegetables mingles with the chatter of traders, a simple theft in 1861 quietly made history. On October 18, a man named Maijuddin walked into the newly built Sabzi Mandi police station to report a crime: thieves had stolen three pots, three pans, a bowl, a cherished hookah, women’s clothes, and even a kulfi, all worth 45 annas. This modest complaint, scribbled in Urdu on yellowed paper, became the first-ever First Information Report (FIR) under Delhi’s new British-run police system. As Delhi Police celebrated its 164th anniversary, this article takes you back to the dusty lanes of 1861 Delhi, unraveling the story of that historic FIR, why the force is called “Delhi Police” and not “Indian Police,” and whether this was truly India’s first crime report. Drawing from verified sources like government archives, BBC, The Tribune, and Hindustan Times, we weave a vivid tale of a city reborn after rebellion and a police force that grew from colonial control to a modern guardian.
The Shadow of 1857: Delhi’s Rebirth Under British Rule
Picture Delhi in 1857: a city of grand Mughal palaces, narrow bazaars, and simmering unrest. The Sepoy Mutiny, India’s first war of independence, erupted in Meerut and swept into Delhi. Rebels crowned Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, as their leader, challenging the British East India Company’s rule. But by September, British forces stormed the city, leaving streets littered with debris and lives shattered. The Mughal dynasty fell, and Delhi became a ghost of its former glory.
In 1858, the British Crown seized control through the Government of India Act, ending the Company’s reign. Queen Victoria became India’s ruler, and Delhi, a hotbed of rebellion, needed iron-fisted governance to prevent another uprising. Historian William Dalrymple, in The Last Mughal, paints a vivid picture: “Delhi was a broken city after 1857, its walls scarred, its people subdued. The British rebuilt it with strict laws and a loyal police force to ensure control.” This turmoil set the stage for a new era of law enforcement, one that would forever change how justice was served in the city.
The Police Act of 1861: A New Dawn for Law and Order
Fast forward to March 22, 1861, when the British passed the Police Act, a landmark law that reshaped policing across India. Gone were the days of village chowkidars and Mughal-era guards who relied on local customs. In their place came a disciplined force, trained and led by British officers, designed to enforce colonial rule. The Act divided India into provinces, each with its own police force under a superintendent, ensuring no unified power could challenge the British.
In Delhi, still reeling from 1857, the British established five police stations to tighten their grip: Kotwali, nestled in the heart of Chandni Chowk’s vibrant market; Sadar Bazaar, near the military hub; Sabzi Mandi, amid the vegetable market’s bustle; Mehrauli, in the quiet south; and Nangloi (sometimes called Mundka in old records), on the city’s outskirts. These stations, with their red-brick walls and stern officers, became symbols of British authority.
Why “Delhi Police” and not “Indian Police”? In 1861, India was no unified nation but a patchwork of British provinces and princely states. A single “Indian Police” would have suggested a national force, a concept the British avoided to prevent centralized resistance. The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) explains, “The 1861 Act created regional forces like Delhi Police to serve local British interests, not a national entity.” Delhi Police was named for its jurisdiction over the Delhi territory, then part of Punjab Province until 1912, when Delhi became India’s capital.
Alongside the Police Act came the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, which listed crimes and punishments in meticulous detail. Together, these laws introduced the FIR system, a formal way to record crimes, ensuring consistency across British India. In Delhi, this system would soon face its first test.
The First FIR: A Tale of Stolen Pots and a Hookah
On a crisp October evening in 1861, Maijuddin, son of Muhammad Yar Khan, walked through the crowded lanes of Katra Sheeshmahal, a lively neighborhood in old Delhi. He reached Sabzi Mandi police station, a modest building buzzing with new constables, to report a theft. On October 17, thieves had slipped into his home, making off with three gleaming brass pots, three small pans, a clay bowl, a prized hookah, a bundle of women’s clothes, and, curiously, a kulfi—a frozen treat that must have melted long before it could be recovered. The total loss? A mere 45 annas, equivalent to about Rs 2.80 today, but a significant sum for a common man in 1861, when 16 annas made a rupee.
This complaint, written in flowing Urdu script, became Delhi’s first FIR, filed on October 18, 1861. It’s a document frozen in time, preserved at Sabzi Mandi station and occasionally shared by Delhi Police on social media, its faded ink telling a story of a city in transition. The Tribune (2024) reports, “163 years ago, Delhi’s first FIR was for a 45-anna theft, a small crime that marked a big moment.” BBC (2023) adds, “This FIR, listing a stolen hookah and kulfi, is a vivid snapshot of life after the 1857 revolt.”
Was this India’s first FIR? Not quite. Other provinces, like Bengal (with its Calcutta Police since 1808) and Bombay (established in 1853), had earlier police systems and likely recorded complaints, though not necessarily as “FIRs” under the 1861 framework. The term “FIR” became standard with the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), formalized later. However, Delhi’s FIR is the most celebrated and well-preserved, tied to the city’s post-1857 significance. Historian Rana Safvi told BBC (2023), “Delhi’s 1861 FIR stands out because it captures the moment British laws reshaped ordinary lives.”
Why Not “Indian Police”? A Colonial Strategy
The name “Delhi Police” reflects the British strategy of divide and rule. In 1861, India was a mosaic of regions, each with distinct cultures and loyalties. A unified “Indian Police” could have fostered a sense of national unity, a risk the British avoided. Instead, they created regional forces—Bengal Police, Bombay Police, Madras Police, and Delhi Police—each answering to local British officials. The Delhi Police website notes, “Formed in 1861, Delhi Police was tasked with restoring order in the Delhi territory after the 1857 uprising.”
After independence in 1947, Delhi became India’s capital, and its police force was placed under the central government’s Home Ministry, unlike state police forces. This unique status preserved the name “Delhi Police” rather than merging it into a broader “Indian Police.” The Indian Police Service (IPS), created in 1948, became the national cadre, but local forces retained their regional identities. Delhi Police, with its capital duties, remains a distinct entity, handling everything from VIP security to street crimes.
A Glimpse of 1861 Delhi: Life in the FIRs
The first FIR paints a vivid picture of 1861 Delhi, a city of narrow alleys, bustling bazaars, and lingering scars from 1857. Katra Sheeshmahal, where Maijuddin lived, was a dense cluster of homes and shops, where petty thefts were common. Other early FIRs, digitized by officers like DCP Vikram Singh Mann, reveal similar tales. Indian Express (2023) describes, “From 11 stolen oranges in 1891 to missing pyjamas, early FIRs show a city struggling to rebuild.” These records, often in Urdu, capture the daily grind of ordinary Delhiites.
Historian Rana Safvi explains, “After 1857, Delhi was poor, its markets crowded but cautious. The new police brought order, but thefts like Maijuddin’s were part of life.” A retired IPS officer, speaking anonymously, shared, “The first FIR reminds us policing began with protecting homes and belongings. Today, it’s drones and cybercrime, but the heart is the same.” These voices breathe life into the faded pages of history.
From Colonial Chains to Community Service
In 1861, Delhi Police was a tool of British control, designed to spy on locals and crush dissent. CHRI notes, “The colonial police served the rulers, not the ruled.” Constables, often poorly paid, faced corruption issues, as historical records show. But after 1947, the force transformed. It embraced public service, adopting technology like online FIRs and community programs like blood donation camps.
Sabzi Mandi station, where the first FIR was filed, still stands in north Delhi, its walls echoing history. On anniversaries, officers cut cakes and share stories, as The Print (2023) reported: “Delhi Police marked 162 years with 162 cakes, celebrating with residents.” The first FIR, a symbol of humble beginnings, reminds us how far the force has come.
The Supreme Court website underscores the FIR’s importance: “An FIR is the spark that starts justice, preserving the first account of a crime.” From Maijuddin’s stolen hookah to today’s complex cases, this process remains the bedrock of policing.
Challenges: Past and Present
The colonial police faced low morale and public distrust, issues that linger today in different forms. Modern Delhi Police tackles cybercrime, traffic chaos, and occasional delays in FIR filing. India Times (2021) reflects, “From hookah thefts to online fraud, Delhi Police has evolved, but its mission endures.” A 2023 spokesperson told The Tribune, “Our history teaches us to serve everyone, not just the powerful.”
Voices of the Past and Present
- Rana Safvi, Historian (BBC, 2023): “The 1861 FIR is a treasure, showing how British laws touched daily lives in a recovering Delhi.”
- DCP Vikram Singh Mann (Hindustan Times, 2023): “Digitizing FIRs like the 1861 theft preserves our roots. A stolen hookah started it all.”
- Retired IPS Officer (2025): “The British built the system, but we made it our own, serving Delhi’s people.”
- Delhi Police Spokesperson (The Print, 2023): “We celebrate 164 years by honoring our past and building trust today.”
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
What is an FIR?
An FIR is the first written report of a crime, filed at a police station under Section 154 of the CrPC. It launches an investigation and serves as key evidence in court by locking in the initial story.
Why is it Delhi Police, not Indian Police?
In 1861, India had no national police. The British created regional forces like Delhi Police to control specific areas like the Delhi territory. Post-1947, Delhi’s capital status kept its name distinct under the Home Ministry.
Was the 1861 FIR India’s first?
It’s Delhi’s first under the 1861 Police Act, but other regions like Calcutta (1808) or Bombay (1853) had earlier systems. Delhi’s FIR is famous for its preservation and historical context post-1857.
What was stolen in the first FIR?
On October 17, 1861, Maijuddin reported the theft of three pots, three pans, a bowl, a hookah, women’s clothes, and a kulfi, worth 45 annas, from his Katra Sheeshmahal home.
How did the 1857 revolt shape Delhi Police?
The revolt exposed weak policing, prompting the British to create the 1861 Police Act for stricter control, leading to Delhi Police’s formation.
Is the 1861 FIR preserved?
Yes, a photo is kept at Sabzi Mandi station and shared online by Delhi Police, a proud relic of their history.
How has Delhi Police changed?
From a British tool to a public servant, it now uses tech like online FIRs and focuses on community trust, while keeping its core mission of safety.