Section 1: Short title

This Act may be called the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

Local extent. Saving of usages relating to hundis, etc.—It extends to the whole of India *** but nothing herein contained affects the 2Indian Paper Currency Act, 1871 (3 of 1871), section 21, or affects any local usage relating to any instrument in an oriental language:

Provided that such usages may be excluded by any words in the body of the instrument which indicate an intention that the legal relations of the parties thereto shall he governed by this Act;

Commencement.—and it shall come into force on the first day of March, 1882.