Delhi University Introduces Manusmriti in Dharmashastra Curriculum
Delhi University (DU) has introduced a new Sanskrit course titled “Dharmashastra Studies”, drawing attention for its inclusion of the Manusmriti—an ancient Hindu legal and moral code. The move has sparked curiosity and concern alike, raising questions about the role of ancient religious texts in modern, secular education.
At the heart of the debate is not just the text itself, but what its study represents: the intersection of philosophy, history, law, and identity in a changing India.
Understanding Manusmriti in Delhi University Curriculum
Manusmriti (or the Laws of Manu) is one of the oldest texts in the Dharmashastra tradition, dating back roughly 2,000 years. It lays down guidelines on morality, societal duties, caste roles, and legal customs.
While regarded as a critical part of classical Hindu literature, Manusmriti has long been criticized for its prescriptions related to caste hierarchy and gender roles.
The challenge lies in reconciling its historical significance with contemporary social values.
What Is the Dharmashastra Studies Course?
DU’s new course is offered under the Faculty of Arts, in the Sanskrit Department. The curriculum is designed to introduce students to:
- Ancient Indian jurisprudence
- Foundational Dharmashastra texts like Manusmriti, Yajnavalkya Smriti, and Narada Smriti
- The philosophical underpinnings of law and order in ancient India
The goal is not to advocate these texts as contemporary law, but to evaluate them within their historical context.
The course explores:
- How ancient lawbooks codified social behavior
- The evolution of Dharma (duty) across eras
- Comparative ethical analysis between ancient Indian texts and Western philosophical frameworks
Delhi University Clarifies Role of Manusmriti in Curriculum
Delhi University has positioned this course as an academic exploration, not an ideological endorsement.
“This course is about understanding ancient knowledge systems. It’s analytical, not prescriptive,” said a senior Sanskrit faculty member involved in syllabus design.
This clarification is key, especially given that Manusmriti has been a lightning rod in social reform movements, including being publicly burned by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in 1927.
The university asserts the course is optional, offered to students with an interest in Sanskrit and Indian legal-philosophical history.
Historical Background: DU and the Manusmriti Controversy
This isn’t the first time DU has drawn attention over Manusmriti.
In 2024, a proposal to include the text in the LLB jurisprudence syllabus triggered public outcry. Activists and academics opposed it, arguing that it contradicted constitutional values.
That proposal was eventually dropped.
However, the current context is different:
- The new course is non-legal
- It’s offered under classical Sanskrit studies
- The approach is interpretive and comparative, not doctrinal
Manusmriti’s Relevance in Modern Education: Why It Matters Today
At its core, the inclusion of Manusmriti raises broader questions:
- Can historical texts be studied without endorsing their values?
- How do universities balance cultural heritage with modern ethics?
- Is it possible to reclaim ancient works through academic critique?
The answers depend on how the course is taught—and how students engage with it.
There is growing academic interest in understanding ancient Indian intellectual traditions as part of a decolonized curriculum. Studying the Dharmashastra tradition—including its flaws—may offer critical insight into India’s legal and ethical foundations.
Academic Perspective
“When I read Manusmriti, it shocked me. But the course pushed me to ask why it was written that way. Was it enforcing order? Was it preserving privilege? Or both?” says a third-year Sanskrit Honours student at DU who opted for Dharmashastra Studies.
Another student adds, “We debated caste and patriarchy in class, openly. The professor encouraged us to critique, not conform.”
These first-hand experiences suggest the course isn’t one-sided—but whether that nuance carries into public perception remains to be seen.
Legal Experts on Manusmriti in DU’s Curriculum: Relevance or Controversy??
Legal experts have mixed views.
Some see this academic study as enriching for students interested in comparative law or legal history.
Others caution that even indirect institutional engagement with a controversial text like Manusmriti must be handled with utmost sensitivity, especially in a country where caste discrimination still exists.
What remains important is academic transparency—ensuring that the course encourages debate, not dogma.
The Broader Academic Context
This move by DU is part of a wider trend of reviving ancient Indian knowledge systems in higher education.
Other Indian universities are introducing electives on:
- Nyaya (logic)
- Vedanta (philosophy)
- Kautilya’s Arthashastra (economics and politics)
In this context, Dharmashastra Studies appears as a natural extension. The challenge lies in applying critical scholarship rather than reverence.
Bridging Ancient Law and Contemporary Academia
The inclusion of Manusmriti in DU’s curriculum is not about bringing back caste codes—it’s about understanding their origin, critiquing their influence, and confronting uncomfortable legacies with academic honesty.
If handled well, the course could become a model of rigorous, responsible engagement with India’s intellectual past.
If mishandled, it risks reinforcing the very hierarchies that modern India has worked to dismantle.
The classroom, in this case, becomes a battlefield of ideas—and that’s exactly where such debates belong.
FAQs
Q1. What is the Manusmriti and why is it controversial?
Manusmriti is an ancient Hindu legal text that outlines social duties, caste roles, and moral codes. It has been criticized for promoting caste hierarchy and gender bias, making its inclusion in modern education a subject of debate.
Q2. Is Delhi University promoting Manusmriti as a current legal framework?
No. DU clarifies that the text is studied in a historical, academic context under Sanskrit studies—not as a contemporary legal or ethical guideline.
Q3. What does the Dharmashastra Studies course cover?
The course introduces students to ancient Indian jurisprudence through texts like Manusmriti, Yajnavalkya Smriti, and Narada Smriti. It focuses on comparative philosophy, ethics, and the evolution of Indian legal systems.
Q4. Is the course mandatory for DU students?
No, it is an optional elective offered to students enrolled in Sanskrit or related disciplines within the Faculty of Arts.
Q5. How have students and legal experts responded to the course?
Reactions are mixed. Students report open academic discussions in class, while legal experts emphasize the need for transparency and caution in handling sensitive texts like Manusmriti.