Institutes of Hindu Law: Or, the Ordinances of Menu, According to...
An Important Edition of Hindu Law Manu, Manavadharmasastra. Jones, Sir William [1746-1794], Translator and Editor. Institutes of Hindu Law: Or, the Ordinances of Manu, According to the Gloss of Culluca. Comprising the Indian System of Duties, Religious and Civil. Verbally Translated from the original Sanscrit. With a Preface. [London]: Calcutta: Printed by Order of the Government. London: Reprinted for J. Sewell, Cornhill; And J. Debrett, Piccadilly, 1796. xvi, [ii], 366 pp. Contents leaf misbound after p. xvi. Octavo (8-1/4" x 5-1/4"). Later library cloth, black-stamped title to spine, marbled edges, endpapers renewed. Some shelfwear, light fading and a few minor marks to binding. Light toning to interior, light foxing to title page and a few other leaves. $850. * Second and final edition. 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's translation. First published in 1794, it was the first unabridged version in English. Jones, the able judge of the High Court of Calcutta and brilliant linguist, 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 intended to follow this translation with translations of other texts that resembled other parts of the Corpus Juris Civilis. Unfortunately, he did not live long enough to complete this project. English Short-Title Catalogue T123009.
Price: $850.00
Book number 77303