A penalidade na India segundo o Código de Manu

This work opens a rare window onto the ancient Indian legal tradition, tackling a subject few scholars have examined in depth. By navigating the dense, interwoven statutes of the Manusmṛti, the author separates the purely criminal provisions from the religious, civil, and political rules that coexist in the text. The study highlights how the scarcity of commentaries has long left the penal side of Hindu law shrouded in silence, making this concise synthesis all the more valuable for anyone curious about early legal systems.

The manuscript itself, considered the oldest known code of law, is presented as a twelve‑book collection where the criminal sections appear mainly in books VIII, IX, and XI. The author explains the king’s dual role as judge and, at times, executor of justice, and outlines the categories of offenses ranging from theft to adultery. Readers are invited to follow the author's careful extraction of punishments and definitions, gaining insight into how ancient Indian society envisioned crime, responsibility, and retribution.