Ruler - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition ruler

Definition :

Ruler, art. 366(22) defines a 'Ruler' in relation to an Indian State as meaning the Prince, Chief, or other person by whom any such covenant or agreement as is referred to in clause (1) of Art. 291 was entered into and who for the time being is recognised by the President as the Ruler of the State, and includes any person who for the time being is recognised by the President as the successor of such Ruler. There is no substance in the contention that the impugned Act is void because the definition of the word 'ruler' is inconsistent with Article 366(22) of the Constitution. There is no doubt that the definition of the word 'Ruler' prescribed by s. 2(h) of Act is wider than that prescribed by Art. 366(22). The definitions prescribed by Article 366 are intended for the purpose of interpreting the articles in the Constitution itself, unless the context otherwise requires. The whole object of defining the word 'ruler' in the Act is to specify and described the lands in respect of which the operative provisions of the Act would come into play. It is in that connection that the word 'Ruler' has been broadly defined in an inclusive manner, Rani Ratna Prova Devi Rani Saheba of Dhenkenal v. State of Orissa, AIR 1964 SC 1195: (1964) 6 SCR 301.

Ruler, denotes a person who rules or governs, Webster American Dictionary, p. 1274.

Means one who or that which, exercises rule, especially of supreme or sovereign kind, Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd Edn., Vol. 2, p. 1867.

Means the prince, chief or other person who was recognised by the President of India as Ruler of an Indian State before the commencement of the Constitution (Twenty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1971; included the successor of such Ruler. [Constitution of India, Art. 366(22)]