Imaginary institution of India : politics and ideas

Smritis and Dharmasutras are monumental works of our forefathers devoted to the political and legal ideas and institutions. Some of the important Smritis used in this study are Manusmriti, Brihaspatismriti, Katyayanasmriti, Naradasmriti, Vishnusmriti, and Yajnavalkyasmriti. Some of the important Dharmasutras used here are Apastamba Dharma sutra, Baudhayana Dharmasutra, Gautama Dharmasutra, and Vasistha Dharamsutra.

Detailed study of Smritis and Dharmasutras were undertaken by British in the 19th and early 20th centuries to understand the Indian society, culture and religion and thus the political and legal systems. Over a period of one hundred years British translated a huge mass of Sanskrit literature into English from their own view point. Entire second tier political system (i.e. gram panchayat up to district levels) and the entire legal system were woven by the British around the principles enumerated in the Smritis and Dharmasutras, without ever acknowledging it. Consequently, we remain unaware of it and indeed unaware of our own contributions to the world in these fields.

In the current book I have presented data contained in the Smritis and Dharmasutras in their own words rather than paraphrasing them. The book is not in the format of narration and then references in the parenthesis. On specific topics what the Smritis and Dharmasutras have to say have been quoted so that the readers can understand the things themselves.