Institutes of Hindu Law

The Manusmriti, or Laws of Manu, is an important statement of Hindu law. Attributed to Manu, the progenitor of humanity in Hindu theology, it was compiled in its final form around 200 BCE. It is a collection of laws governing individuals, communities and nations and is an important (and somewhat controversial) source of information about the caste system and the status of women. This work achieved its international prominence through Jones [1746-1794], the able judge of the High Court of Calcutta and brilliant linguist, who produced the first complete English translation. Jones was attracted to this work because of its structural similarities to the Institutes of Justinian. Intending to establish Manu as the "Justinian of India," he planned to follow this translation with translations of other texts that resembled other parts of the Corpus Juris Civilis. He did not live long enough to complete his great project. With a new introduction by Steve Sheppard, William Enfield Professor of Law, University of Arkansas School of Law. xvi, 366 pp.