A Dharma Reader: Classical Indian Law

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A Dharma Reader traces the definition and process of Indian law from the third century bce to the middle ages. Its breadth captures the centuries-long struggle by Indian thinkers to theorize law in a complex society. In classical times, India’s diverse groups like family, caste or other institutions settled on a concept of law. How did they reach consensus? Was it based in religion or transcendent knowledge? Did it depend on time and place? What apparatus existed to ensure justice and fair verdicts? Book tries to address these questions. It includes new and accessible translations of key texts, notes that explain the significance and chronology of selections, and a comprehensive introduction that summarizes the development of various disciplines in intellectual and historical terms.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Patrick Olivelle

Patrick Olivelle is the Chair, Department of Asian Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, where he is the Professor of Sanskrit and Indian Religions. Among his recent publications are The Samnyasa Upanisads: Hindu Scriptures on Asceticism and Renunciation (Oxford, 1992), The Asrama System: History and and Hermeneutics of a Religious Institution, Rules and Regulations of Brahmanical Asceticism (State University of New York Press, 1994), Upanisads, Pancatantra, The Early Upanisads: Annotated Text and Translation, The Dharmasutra of Apastamba, Gautama, Baudhayana, and Vasistha, and Manu's Code of Law: A Critical Edition and Translation of the Manava-Dharmasastra.