The Dehra Dun Act, 1871 (Act No. 21 of 1871) was enacted on 11th July 1871 to formalize the legal and administrative framework of the Dehra Dun district by extending the application of existing regulations and acts from the neighboring district of Saharanpur. This legislation was part of the British colonial government's efforts to streamline governance in newly integrated or reorganized regions of India.
The Act underwent several amendments, particularly in 1874, 1891, and 1950, to remove redundant clauses or update territorial references (e.g., replacing "North-Western Provinces" with "Uttar Pradesh" post-independence).
The Scheduled Districts Act, 1874, initially classified Jaunsar Bawar as a special administrative zone, but this status was abolished after India's Constitution came into force.
The Dehra Dun Act, 1871, exemplifies the British colonial strategy of legal standardization while accommodating regional peculiarities. Its provisions laid the groundwork for Dehra Dun's integration into the unified judicial and revenue systems of Uttar Pradesh, while the exemption for Jaunsar Bawar serves as a reminder of India's diverse administrative history under colonial rule. Today, Dehra Dun is a key urban and educational hub in Uttarakhand, with its legal framework rooted in these early colonial statutes.