Hindu Law and Custom (Recht und Sitte) c7.6

c7.6

The latest stage of Indian legal literature is formed by the commentaries and systematic works which have been developed from the Smṛtis from the early mediaeval age. As the products of a new age and inspired by mighty princes and ministers, these extensive compilations gradually drove the Smṛtis so completely out of vogue that at the time of the establishment of British rule in Eastern India, the Mitākṣarā, a law compendium of the eleventh century, was the standard work in the greater part of India. For the historical study of Indian Law, for which the clearing of the beginnings must be of particular importance, this group of works, whose number is legion, is important and indispensable, specially as they are helpful to understand the Smṛtis.