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The book is a maiden voyage to compile and analyze the interpretations of ancient Indian law in modern historiography. There has been a dearth of books with historiographical approach to the study of classical Indian law, despite the fact that law has occupied a prominent place in the historical studies over the past two hundred years. Starting from British Indologist Sir William Jones, the historians owing allegiance to different schools like Imperialism, Nationalism, Marxism and Postmodernism commented fervently upon the ancient Indian law. Irrespective of their interpretive models, such comments and studies have broadened our understanding of the ancient Indian law and enriched the historiography of the same.

But the comprehensive study of such vast intellectual heritage, remained a virgin territory. The followers of ancient history confined themselves to Sutra-Smriti texts, and those from Law Schools focused on post-independent codified Hindu law.

In this backdrop, the present work, by studying the modern historiography of ancient Indian law, stands to be the first of its own kind.

The book is historiographical in its methodology, but as and when required, primary sources have also been referred to in order to critically examine the historian’s assumptions. The various interpretations have been put together in a lucid language to delineate a holistic and objective picture of various law topics such as – Marital Laws, Son-ship & Adoption, Succession & Inheritance, Women’s Property Rights, International Laws, and Laws of Judicature, etc.

CONTENTS

1 Modern Historiography: Special Reference to Ancient Indian Legal Studies

2 The Notion of Law in Ancient India: Reflections from Modern Historians

3 Interpretations of Social Legislation in Ancient India

4 Proprietary Laws in Ancient India: An Interpretational Insight

5 The Laws of State Affairs: Historiographical Perspectives

6 Judicial and Penal Laws: Historians’ Observations.