Published in 1881, this book is a Portuguese scholar's deep dive into the legal and social world of ancient India. Cândido de Figueiredo translates and analyzes sections of the Manusmriti, an ancient Sanskrit text that laid down laws for everything from family life to royal duties. The core of his work focuses on the 'penalidade'—the system of punishments. He walks us through the specific consequences for different crimes, showing how they varied dramatically based on a person's social class (or 'varna'). The book acts as a guide, making this dense, ancient legal code accessible to a Western audience of his time.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't just about old laws. It's a window into a mindset. Reading Figueiredo's analysis, you get a stark picture of how justice was intertwined with social hierarchy. The punishments tell a story about what that society considered sacred, what threatened its stability, and how it tried to enforce order. It’s fascinating, and sometimes uncomfortable, to see the logic behind it all. Figueiredo writes with the curiosity of an outsider trying to make sense of a complex system, which makes his perspective really engaging.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history buffs, students of law or religion, and anyone curious about how societies build their rules. If you've ever been interested in ancient India beyond kings and battles, this book shows you the operating manual. It’s a specialized read, but for the right person, it’s a captivating look at the foundations of a civilization.