The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c23.6

v1.c23.6

Nevertheless, from the contents of the extant law-book of Manu some noteworthy data may be extracted which seem to show that the work is earlier than any other Dharma Çāstra. There is not the slightest allusion to any sectarian cult; documents are not cited in the rules on evidence; widow-burning is not recommended; there is no recommendation of the cult of idols (service, etc.), though idols are known as objects of veneration; the position of the law-giver in regard to titles of law, evidence, ordeals, etc., is more primitive than that of any other author of a Dharma Çāstra and even than that of Vishṇu in the Dharma Sūtra. The law-book of Vishṇu belongs to the third century a.d., and that of Yājñavalkya to the fourth century, and the advance on Manu in order, method, and detail of legal matters of these law-writers is very great. Hence, as in the case of the epic, it is probable that the date now currently assumed is too late, and that the Mānava Code belongs rather to the time of our era or before it than later¹.