A Code of Gentoo Laws, Or, Ordinations of the Pundits...

1776. London: [S.n.], 1776. Quarto (10-3/4" x 8-1/2"). London: [S.n.], 1776. Quarto (10-3/4" x 8-1/2"). The First Work in English on Hindu Law [Halhed, Nathaniel Brassey (1751-1830), Translator and Editor]. A Code of Gentoo Laws, Or, Ordinations of the Pundits: From a Persian Translation, Made from the Original, Written in the Shanscrit Language. London: [S.n.], 1776. lxxiv, [2], 61, [1], 322 pp. Blank leaf inserted after p. lxxiv. 8 copperplate leaves, all tissue overlays but one lacking. Quarto (10-3/4" x 8-1/2"). Recent sheep, gilt title and date to spine, endleaves renewed, edges speckled green. Light rubbing, scuffing and minor fading to boards, moderate rubbing and scuffing to extremities. Moderate toning and light creasing to interior, occasional light foxing, light soiling in a few places, faint dampstaining to edges of first few leaves, title page, which has a later ink stamp (of Hans Baumann) to its foot, re-hinged, clean tears to gutter of second and third leaves not affecting text, a few words on p. 287 underlined in recent ink, soiling to edges of last several leaves, mended tears to gutters of last four leaves affecting text on pp. 319-320 with minor loss to legibility (but not sense) on p. 320. $400. * First edition. This is the first work in English describing the principles of Hindu jurisprudence. It is a translation from the Vivadarnavasetu, a digest of Hindu law in 21 sections (taranga). This work was compiled for Warren Hastings, the governor-general of the East India Company. The pandits (pundats) are Banesvara, Kriparama, Rama Gopala, Krishnajivana, Viresvara, Krishnacandra, Guarikanta, Kalisankara, Syamasundara, Krishnakesava and Sitarama. The plates depict examples of the original Sanskrit texts. Later editions were published in 1777 and 1781. English Short-Title Catalogue T112179.