The history of law dates back thousands of years and reflects the evolution of human civilization. The earliest known legal codes were created in ancient Mesopotamia. One of the most famous is the Code of Hammurabi (around 1754 BCE), a Babylonian law code inscribed on stone tablets, which introduced the idea of justice and punishment.

In ancient Egypt, laws were based on religious principles and maintained social harmony. Greek and Roman civilizations later played a vital role in shaping modern legal systems. The Roman Law, especially the Justinian Code, became the foundation for many European legal traditions.

During the Medieval period, law in Europe was heavily influenced by Church law (Canon Law) and Feudal law. In 1215, the Magna Carta was signed in England, introducing the concept that even the king must obey the law—a major step toward constitutional law.

In India, law evolved from ancient texts like the Manusmriti and was later influenced by Mughal law and British colonial law, leading to the formation of the Indian legal system we know today.

Modern law is now divided into various branches such as civil law, criminal law, constitutional law, administrative law, and more. Most countries today follow either Common Law (like UK, USA, India) or Civil Law (like France, Germany) traditions.

Law has moved from divine commandments to democratic legislation—constantly evolving to serve justice, equality, and social order.