Manusmriti (Manava Dharmashastra)
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
An influential ancient law-book in verse attributed to Manu. It was widely cited in the past, and some of its rules on caste and women have been strongly criticised in modern India.
| Tradition | Hindu |
|---|---|
| Type | Smriti (Dharmashastra) |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| Period | c. 2nd century BCE – 3rd century CE (scholarly estimate) |
| Composed or compiled by | Traditionally attributed to Manu, the progenitor of humankind; narrated by the sage Bhrigu |
What it contains
- 12 chapters and about 2,700 verses in its common version.
- Creation, the stages of life and the duties of the varnas.
- Rules on marriage, inheritance, kingship, courts and punishment.
- Penance and the effects of karma.
Significance
It was translated into English in the colonial period and used in courts for Hindu personal law. Social reformers, notably Dr B. R. Ambedkar, who publicly burnt it at Mahad in 1927, rejected its caste and gender provisions. Today the Constitution of India guarantees equality and forbids untouchability (Article 17).