1. Briefly describe the main sources of ancient Indian law.
The origins of ancient Indian law are inseparable from religious classics. According to its historical development, it roughly has the following aspects:
(1) Veda. This is the earliest handed down document in India and the oldest classic of Brahmanism. It is the oldest and most sacred source of law in India. Compiled approximately between 1500 BC and 600 BC, the Vedas are the last four volumes. They reflect the political and economic conditions of Indian society at that time, and many of them involve people's behavioral norms and social habits.
(2) Dharma Sutra. It was written around the 8th century BC to the 3rd century BC. It is a classic that explains and supplements the Vedas. It is attached to the Vedas. It mainly stipulates sacrificial rules, daily etiquette and the living standards of believers, rights and obligations, and punishments for those who violate religious rules. , it is considered to be the holy scripture that establishes the eternal rules of life and behavioral norms of Indians.
(3) Code. Brahmin priests compiled religious codes based on the Vedas, generations of inheritance and ancient customs. The codes contained more pure legal norms than Dharma scriptures. All codes appeared one after another from the 3rd century BC to the 6th century AD. Among them, the most important code is the Code of Manu, which was written approximately from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD. It is the first relatively formal legal book in the Indian legal system. It has considerable authority and comprehensively discusses the Vedic laws. The essence of Tuo stipulates the basic content with caste system as its core.
(4) Buddhist classics. Buddhist scriptures are one of the important sources of ancient Indian Dharma. They are collectively referred to as the "Three Tibetans", namely: the Sutra Tibet, which is the Buddhist teachings preached by the founder of Buddhism, Sakyamuni and his disciples; the Analects Tibet, which is the interpretation of the teachings by scholars of various Buddhist sects. Commentary; Vinaya, the rules of Buddhist temples. Among them, the legal significance of the Vinaya is the most obvious.
(5) King’s edict. The king's edicts are also one of the important sources of law, among which the edicts of King Asoka are the most noteworthy for later generations.