Institutes of Hindu Law: Or, the Ordinances of Manu, According to the Gloss of Culluca. Comprising the Indian System of Duties, Religious and C - Hardcoverby William Jones (Translator), Steve Sheppard (Introduction by) The Manusmriti, or Laws of Manu, is an important statement of Hindu law. Attributed to Manu, the progenitor of humanity in Hindu theology, it was compiled in its final form around 200 BCE. It is a collection of laws governing individuals, communities and nations and is an important (and somewhat controversial) source of information about the caste system and the status of women. This work