It is attributed to Sage Manu, the mythical progenitor of mankind in Hindu tradition. Date of composition is roughly between 200 BCE-200 CE. It is considered one of the earliest and most authoritative legal and ethical texts in Hindu tradition
Manusmriti contains 12 chapters and about 2,685 verses, covering various aspects of individual and social life.
Key themes includes Cosmology and Creation; Four Varnas; Ashrama System; Laws of inheritance and Property; Marriage, family and gender roles; Rules on conduct, hygiene, rituals and penance; King and Governance; Crime and Punishment; Spiritual Liberation and Karma theory.
Used as a guiding legal text, especially for upper castes. Used by the British to codify Hindu Law. India adopted a secular Constitution, Manusmriti no longer has legal authority.
Criticism:
1.Justified social hierarchy and untouchability, especially against Shudras and women
2.Prescribes patriarchal norms
3.For the same crime, punishments vary drastically based on caste
