COURSE-IV:

FAMILY LAW-I: HINDU LAW

By
Dr.Sevanta kalasappa
 UNIT - I
• Introduction - Concept • ಪ ಚಯ –
of Dharma - Sources of • ಧಮ ದ ಪ ಕಲ
Hindu Law - Modern • ಂದೂ ಾನೂ ನ
and Ancient – ಮೂಲಗಳ
• Importance of Dharma - ಆಧು ಕ ಮತು ಾ ೕನ
Shastra on Legislation • ಾಸನದ ೕ ಧಮ
– ಾಸ ದ ಮಹತ –
• Two Principal Schools • ಂದೂ ಾನೂ ನ ಎರಡು
of Hindu Law ಪ ಮುಖ ಾ ಗಳ
• Application of Hindu • ಂದೂ ಾನೂ ನ ಅನಯ.
Law.
 I. Concept of Dharma
• 'Dharma is a Sanskrit expression of the •
widest import. There is no corresponding 'ಧಮ ವ ಾಲ ಾದ ಸಂಸ ತ
word in any other language. It would. also ಅ ವ ಾ . ೕ ಾವ ೕ ಾ ಯ
be futile to attempt to give any definition of
ಅನುಗುಣ ಾದ ಪದಗ ಲ. ೕ ಾ ದ . ಪದದ
ಾವ ೕ ಾ ಾ ನವನು ೕಡಲು
the word. It can only be explained. It has a ಪ ಯ ಸುವ ದು ವ ಥ . ಅದನು ಾತ
wide variety of meanings. A few of them ವ ಸಬಹುದು. ಇದು ಧ ೕ ಯ
would enable us to understand the range of ಅಥ ಗಳನು ೂಂ . ಅವ ಗಳ ಲವ ಆ
that expression. For instance, the word ಅ ವ ಯ ಾ ಯನು ಅಥ ಾ ೂಳ ಲು
'Dharma' is used to mean Justice (Nyaya), ನಮ ಸ ಾಯ ಾಡುತ . ಉ ಾಹರ ,
what is right in a given circumstance, moral 'ಧಮ ' ಎಂಬ ಪದವನು ಾ ಯ ( ಾ ಯ)
values of life, pious obligations of individuals,
ಎಂದು ಅ ೖ ಸಲು ಬಳಸ ಾಗುತ , ಒಂದು
ಷಸ ೕಶದ ಾವ ದು ಸ , ೕವನದ
righteous conduct in every sphere of activity, ೖ ಕ ೌಲ ಗಳ , ವ ಗಳ ಾ ಕ
being helpful to other living beings, giving ಕಟು ಾಡುಗಳ , ಚಟುವ ಯ ಪ ಂದು
charity to individuals in need of it or to a ೕತ ದಲೂ ೕ ವಂತ ನಡವ , ಇತರ
public cause or alms to the needy, natural ೕ ಗ ಸ ಾಯಕ ಾಗುವ ದು, ಅಗತ ರುವ
qualities or characteristics or properties of ವ ಗ ಅಥ ಾ ಾವ ಜ ಕ ಾರಣ ಾ
living beings and things, duty and law as ಅಥ ಾ ಅಗತ ರುವ, ೖಸ ಕ ಗುಣಗಳ
also constitutional law.
ಅಥ ಾ ಗುಣಲ ಣಗಳ ಅಥ ಾ ೕ ಗಳ
ಮತು ವಸುಗಳ ಗುಣಲ ಣಗಳ , ಕತ ವ ಮತು
ಾನೂನು ಮತು ಾಂ ಾ ಕ ಾನೂ ನ
ಪ ಾರ.
• Mahabharata: It is most • ಮ ಾ ಾರತ: ಧಮ ವನು
difficult to define ಾ ಾ ಸುವ ದು ಅತ ಂತ
Dharma. Dharma has ಕಷ . ಧಮ ವ ೕ ಗಳ
ಉನ ಸ ಾಯ
been explained to be ಾಡುತ ಎಂದು
that which helps the ವ ಸ ಾ . ಆದ ಂದ,
upli ment of living ೕ ಗಳ ಕ ಾ ಣವನು
ಾ ಪ ಸುವದು
beings. Therefore, that ಖಂ ತ ಾ ಯೂ ಧಮ .
which ensures the ಕ ತವರು IĶ ಧಮ
welfare of living beings ಎಂದು
ಸಮ ೂಂ ಾ .
is surely Dharma. The
learned rishis have
declared that which
sustains is Dharma.
 Origin of dharma
• Dharma was formulated • ೖಸ ಕ ಾನವ
as the solu on to the ಪ ವೃ ಂದ ಹು ದ
eternal problems ಾನವ ಜ ಾಂಗ
confron ng the human ಎದು ಸು ರುವ ಾಶ ತ
race, origina ng from ಸಮ ಗ ಪ ಾರ ಾ
ಧಮ ವನು
natural human ins ncts. ರೂ ಸ ಾ ತು.
• There is no act of man • ಬಯ ಂದ ಮುಕ ಾದ
which is free from desire; ಮನುಷ ನ ಾವ ೕ
whatever a man does is ಇಲ; ಮನುಷ ನು ಏನು
the result of the impulse ಾ ದರೂ ಅದು ಬಯ ಯ
of desire. ಪ ೂೕದ ಯ
ಫ ಾಂಶ ಾ ರುತ .
 The six inherent enemies in man
• Kama (desire), • ಾಮ (ಆ ),
• Krodha (anger), • ೂ ೕ ಾ ( ೂೕಪ),
• Lobha (greed), • ೂೕಭ (ದು ಾ ),
• Moha (passion), • ೕ ಾ ( ಾ ಶ ),
• Mada (infatua on) and • ಮ ಾ( ೕಹ) ಮತು
• Matsarya (enmity) • ಮ ಾ ಯ ( ೕಷ)
 Basic aspect of Dharma
• Truthfulness, • ಸತ ,
• to be free from anger, • ೂೕಪ ಂದ ಮುಕ ಾ ರಲು,
• ಸಂಪತನು ಇತರ ೂಂ
• sharing wealth with others, ಹಂ ೂಳ ವ ದು,
• (samvibhaga) forgiveness, • (ಸಂ ಾಗ) ,
• procrea on of children • ಒಬ ರ ಂಡ ಂದ ಾತ
from one's wife alone, ಮಕ ಳ ಸಂ ಾ ೂೕತ ,
• purity, absence of enmity, • ಶುದ ,
• ೕಷದ ಅನುಪ ,
• Straight forwardness and • ಎ ಾ ವಣ ಗ ೕ ದ ವ ಗಳ
maintaining persons ಧಮ ದ ಒಂಬತು ಯಮಗಳ
dependent on oneself are ೕರ ಾ ಮುಂದ
the nine rules of the ೂೕಗುವ ದು ಮತು ತಮ ನು
Dharma of persons ಅವಲಂ ರುವ ವ ಗಳನು
belonging to all the varnas. ಾ ಾ ೂಳ ವ ದು.
 . Sources of Hindu Law - Modern
and Ancient –
• According to Manu • ಮನು ಪ ಾರ
– Vedas – ೕದಗಳ
– Smri s –
– Sadachara (approved – ಸ ಾಚ ಾ (ಅನು ೕ ತ
customs and usages)
ಕಸ ಮತು ಬಳ ಗಳ )
– What is agreeable to ones
conscience – ಆತ ಾ ಒಪ ವದು
• Yanjavalkya: • ಯಂಜವಲ :
– The smru , – ಸ ,
– the srui , – ಶು ,
– the approved usages , – ಅನು ೕ ತ ಬಳ ಗಳ ,
– What is agreeable to ones – ಆತ ಾ ಒಪ ವದು
conscience ಆ ಗಳನು
– Desires
II. Sources of Hindu Law - Modern
and Ancient –
Ancient Modern ಾ ೕನ ಆಧು ಕ
sources sources ಮೂಲಗಳ ಮೂಲಗಳ

Equity justice ¤Ãw, ಾ ಯ ಮತು

Shruti (Vedas) and good ಶು ( ೕದಗಳ )
ಉತ ಮ ಆತ ಾ
conscience

Smrities Legislation ¸ÀäøwUÀ¼ÀÄ ಾಸನ

Digest and Precedent

ೖ ಮತು
ಪ ವ ದಶ ನವನು
commentaries. ಾ ಾ ನಗಳ .

Customs ¥ÀzÀÝwUÀ¼ÀÄ
 I. The Sru s
• What is heard

‘Sru’
sruti root To
hear
 Vedas

Rig Yajur Sam Atharva

Laws of Magic Magic

Gods Rituals Mantras
sacrifices properties charms
 II. The Smari s
• “What was • “ಏನು ನ ಾ ತು”
remembered” • ಸ ೕ ಯ:
• Kinds of smri s: – 1. ಗದ ೖ
– 1. prose style:- Dharma – 2. ಕವನ ೖ
Shstras.
– 2. poetry style:- Dharma
Sutras
III. Digest and commentaries.

1. Owing to the
obscurity
(ಅಸಷ ಂ ಾ )

Digest and
commentar
ies

2. Incompleteness
(ಅಪ ಣ )
Period between 700 A.D to
1700A.D

Last commentary
Vaijayanti by Nada Pandit

Digests
 IV. Customs

Which in a
particular family

But it does not

override statutory Particular class
laws

custom

Particular
community Particular district
 Kinds of customs
1. Local customs 1. ಸ ೕಯ ಪದ ಗಳ
2. Class customs 2. ವಗ ಪದ ಗಳ
3. Family customs 3. ಕುಟುಂಬ ಪದ ಗಳ
 Essen als of custom
1. Ancient 1. ಾ ೕನ
2. Invariable and con nuous 2. ಬದ ಾಗದ ಮತು ರಂತರ
3. Established by clear and 3. ಸ ಷ ಮತು ಸ ಂ ಗ
unambiguous evidence ಾ ಗ ಂದ
4. Reasonable ಾ ಸ ಾ
5. It must not be opposed to 4. ಸಮಂಜಸ ಾದ
morality or public policy 5. ಇದು ೖ ಕ ಅಥ ಾ
6. It must not be forbidden ಾವ ಜ ಕ ೕ ಯನು
ೂೕ ಸ ಾರದು
by any express of the
legislature. 6. ಇದನು ಾಸ ಾಂಗದ
ಾವ ೕ ಅ ವ ಂದ
7. Not opposed to any law ೕ ಸ ಾರದು.
 Modern sources
1. Legisla on 1. ಾಸನ
2. Judicial decisions 2. ಾ ಾಂಗ
3. Equity jus ce and ಾ ರಗಳ
good conscience 3. ೕ , ಾ ಯ ಮತು
ಉತಮ ಆತ ಾ
 1. Legisla on

Modern source of
Hindu law

Development of
Hindu law

It is the direction of Some of them

reforming (ಸು ಾರ ) supersedes (ಅದು ತ)
Hindu law Hindu law
 The law Hindus
was scattered

Difficulty to find
fixed principles of Different parts of
law on several Prior to the British the country were
areas. different rules

praticies
The important legislations which have modified, altered
and supplemented the textual Hindu Law are as follows:

• Legisla ons are Acts of Parliament which have

been playing a profound role in the forma on of
Hindu law. A er India achieved independence,
some important aspects of Hindu Law have been
codified. Few examples of important Statutes are
– The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955,
– The Hindu Adop ons and Maintenance Act, 1956,
– The Hindu Succession Act, 1956,
– The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956, etc.
 2. Judicial decisions
• Judicial decisions • ಧ ಅಂಶಗಳ ೕ
pronounced by the ಾ ಾಲಯಗಳ
courts upon the various ಉಚ ಸುವ ಾ ಾಂಗ
points have also ಾ ರಗಳ ಾನೂ ನ
developed as sources of ಮೂಲಗ ಾ
law. ಅ ವೃ ೂಂ .
• Now all the important points of Hindu law • ಈಗ ಂದೂ ಾನೂ ನ ಎ ಾ ಪ ಮುಖ
are found in the law reports. Since the laws ಅಂಶಗಳ ಾನೂನು ವರ ಗಳ ಕಂಡುಬರುತ .
propounded by the courts have the effect of ಾ ಾಲಯಗಳ ಪ ಾ ದ ಾನೂನುಗಳ
superseding the commentaries, they have
ಾ ಾ ನಗಳನು ೕ ಸುವ ಪ ಾಮವನು
ೂಂ ರುವ ದ ಂದ, ಅವ ನ
assumed greater importance. The decisions ಾ ಮುಖ ಯನು ಪ . ೌ ಮತು
of Privy Council and Supreme Court are ಸು ೕಂ ೂೕ ನ ೕಪ ಗಳ
binding on all the courts including High ೖ ೂೕ ಗಳ ೕ ದಂ ಎ ಾ
Courts. The decisions of the High Court are ಾ ಾಲಯಗಳ ೕ ಬದ ಾ .
not binding on any other High Court ೖ ೂೕ ನ ೕಪ ಗಳ ೕ ಾವ ೕ
although they are binding on the courts ೖ ೂೕ ಸಂಬಂ ಲ ಾದರೂ ಅವ ಗಳ
subordinate thereto.
ಅ ೕನ ಾ ಾಲಯಗ ಬದ ಾ .
• Thus the decisions of Privy Council, Supreme
• ಆದ ಂದ ೌ , ಸು ೕಂ ೂೕ ಮತು
Court and those of the High Courts ೖ ೂೕ ಗಳ ೕಪ ಗಳ ಾನೂ ನ ಪ ಮುಖ
constitute precedents to become important ಮೂಲ ಾಗಲು ಪ ವ ದಶ ನವನು ೂಂ .
source of law. Bose, J. observed: “The laws ೂೕ , . ಗಮ ದರು: “ ಾವ
we are administering are judge-made laws. ವ ಸು ರುವ ಾನೂನುಗಳ ಾ ಾ ೕಶರು
The ancient sages said nothing about the ದ ಾನೂನುಗಳ . ಾ ೕನ ges
present matter and even where they often ಮು ಗಳ ಪ ಸುತ ಷಯದ ಬ ಏನನೂ
spoke with conflicting voices, and when they ೕಳ ಲ ಮತು ಅವರು ಆ ಾ ಸಂಘಷ ದ
did it, sometimes spoke so enigmatically that
ಧ ಗ ಂ ಾತ ಾಡು ದರು, ಮತು
ಅವರು ಅದನು ಾ ಾಗ, ಲ ತುಂ ಾ
the learned and able commentators were ಗೂ ig ಾ ಾತ ಾಡು ಾ , ಕ ತ ಮತು
unable to agree as to what they meant. In ಸಮಥ ಾ ಾ ನ ಾರರು ಅವರು ಏನು
the circumstances it is the courts which ೕಳ ಾ ಂದು ಒ ೂಳ ಲು ಾಧ ಾಗ ಲ.
have moulded the Hindu law and made it, ಸ ೕಶಗಳ ಾ ಾಲಯಗಳ ಂದೂ
what it is today.” ಾನೂನನು ರೂ ಅದನು ರೂ , ಅದು
ಇಂ ನದು. ”
 3. Equity jus ce and good conscience
• The principles of jus ce, equity and good conscience
have been strong source of Hindu Law.
• Virtually the introduc on of this phraseology in
Hindu law can be accredited to the modem English
judges.
• Necessity was felt by the judges to adopt certain
principles of fairness and jus ce in those cases
where law became too much complicated on
account of conflic ng texts or complete absence of
law or judicial precedents on certain aspects of
Hindu law.
• In Kanchava v. Girimalappa, (before the passing of
• ಾಂಚವ . ಮಲಪ ದ , ( ಂದೂ ಉತ ಾ ಾರ
the Hindu Succession Act, 1956). it was laid down
by the Privy Council that the murderer was ಾ , 1956 ರ ಅಂ ೕ ಾರದ ದಲು).
disqualified from inheriting the property of the ೌ ಂದ ೂ ಾರನನು ಬ ಪಶು ನ ಆ ಯನು
victim. The rule of English law was applied to ಆನುವಂ ಕ ಾ ಪ ಯಲು ಅನಹ ೂ ಸ ಾ ತು.
Hindu on grounds of justice, equity and good • ಇಂ ಾನೂ ನ ಯಮವನು ಂದೂಗ ಾ ಯ,
conscience, and this was statutorily recognised in ಸ ಾನ ಮತು ಉತಮ ಆತ ಾ ಯ ಆ ಾರದ ೕ
the Hindu Succession Act, of 1956. ಅನ ಸ ಾ ತು, ಮತು ಇದನು 1956 ರ ಂದೂ
• It is, however, to be noted that the principles of ಉತ ಾ ಾರ ಾ ಯ ಾಸನಬದ ಾ
justice, equity and good conscience found due ಗುರು ಸ ಾ ತು. ಆ ಾಗೂ , ಾ ಯ, ಸ ಾನ ಮತು
recognition in the early Hindu Smriti era. An ಉತಮ ಆತ ಾ ಯ ತತ ಗಳ ಆರಂ ಕ ಂದೂ ಸ
indirect reference to the principles of equity was ಯುಗದ ಸ ಾದ ಾನ ಯನು ಕಂಡು ೂಂ
found in Manu’s and Yajnavalkyas narration of ಎಂದು ಗಮ ಸ ೕಕು.
sources of law where “what is agreeable to one’s
soul (good conscience)” has been suggested as • ಈ ಯ ತತ ಗಳ ಬ ಪ ೂೕ ಉ ೕಖವ ಮನು ಮತು
ordained foundation of law. ಯ ವ ಾ ಾನೂ ನ ಮೂಲಗಳ ರೂಪ ಯ
ಕಂಡುಬಂ , ಅ “ಒಬ ರ ಆತ (ಉತಮ ಆತ ಾ )
• Brihaspati declared that there would be failure of
justice if the decisions are given merely according ಒಪ ವಂತಹದನು” ಾನೂ ನ ೕ ತ
to the letters of Shastras and the principles based ಅ ಾಯ ಂದು ಸೂ ಸ ಾ . ೕವಲ ಾಸ ಗಳ
on reason are not taken into consideration. Narada, ಪತ ಗಳ ಪ ಾರ ಾ ರಗಳನು ೕ ದ ಮತು
on the other hand, said that in case of conflict ಾರಣವನು ಆಧ ದ ತತ ಗಳನು ಗಣ
between texts of Dharmashastras on certain points ದು ೂಳ ದ ಾ ಯದ ೖಫಲ ಉಂ ಾಗುತ
that which is reasonable and appealing to ಎಂದು ಬೃಹಸ ೕ ದರು. ಮ ೂ ಂ , ಾರದನು,
conscience must be taken as law. ಧಮ ಾಸ ಗಳ ಪಠ ಗಳ ನಡು ಲವ ಅಂಶಗಳ ನಡು
• Kautilya in his Arthashastra has clearly said that if ಸಂಘಷ ದ ಸಂದಭ ದ ಅದು ಸಮಂಜಸ ಾದ ಮತು
Dharma text is found opposed to judicial ಆತ ಾ ಮನವ ಾಗುವಂತಹದನು ಾನೂ ನಂ
reasoning, the Dharma text failed and the authority ದು ೂಳ ೕಕು ಎಂದು ೕ ದರು.
of reason prevailed. Thus the Dharmashastra • ೌ ಲ ತನ ಅಥ ಾಸ ದ ಸ ಷ ಾ ೕ ದು, ಧಮ
writers have recognised the importance of the ಪಠ ವ ಾ ಾಂಗ ಾ ಕ ರುದ ಾ ಕಂಡುಬಂದ ,
principles of equity for the growth of Hindu Law.
ಧಮ ಪಠ ವ ಫಲ ಾ ಮತು ಾ ಕ ಅ ಾರವ
ೕಲು ೖ ಾ . ೕ ಧಮ ಾಸ ೕಖಕರು ಂದೂ
ಾನೂ ನ ಳವ ಸ ಾನ ಯ ತತ ಗಳ
ಮಹತ ವನು ಗುರು ಾ .
 Importance of Dharma Shastra on
Legislation –
• The Dharmasastra is a • ಧಮ ಾಸ ವ ಾ ೕನ
collec on of ancient ಸಂಸ ತ ಗ ಂಥಗಳ
Sanskrit texts which ಸಂಗ ಹ ಾ ದು, ಇದು
give the codes of ಂದೂಗ ನಡವ
conduct and moral ಮತು ೖ ಕ ತತ ಗಳನು
principles (dharma) for (ಧಮ ) ೕಡುತ .
Hindus.
• Dharma-shastra is primarily • ಧಮ ಾಸ ವ ಮುಖ ಾ
concerned not with legal ಾನೂನು ಆಡ ತ ಸಂಬಂ ಲ,
administra on, though courts ಆದರೂ ಾ ಾಲಯಗಳ ಮತು
and their procedures are dealt ಅವ ಗಳ ಾಯ ಾನಗಳನು
with comprehensively, but with ಸಮಗ ಾ ಪ ಗ ಸ ಾಗುತ ,
the right course of conduct in ಆದ ಪ ಸಂ ಗ ಯಲೂ
every dilemma. Some basic ಸ ಾದ ನಡವ ಂ .
principles of Dharma-shastra are ಾಂಪ ಾ ಕ ಪ ಸರದ ದ
known to most Hindus brought ನ ಂದೂಗ
up in a tradi onal environment. ಧಮ ಾಸ ದ ಲವ ಮೂಲ
Those include the proposi ons ತತ ಗಳ . ಹಕು ಗ ಂತ
that du es are more significant ಕತ ವ ಗಳ ಚು ಮಹತ ಾ ,
than rights, that women are ಮ ಯರು ತಮ ಹ ರದ
under perpetual guardianship of ಪ ರುಷ ಸಂಬಂ ಕರ ಾಶ ತ
their closest male rela ves, and ಾಲ ಯ ಾ ಮತು ಾಜ
that the king (i.e., the state) (ಅಂದ ಾಜ ) ಎ ಾ ಾ , ೖ ಕ
must protect the subjects from ಮತು ವಸುಗ ಂದ ಷಯಗಳನು
ರ ಸ ೕಕು ಎಂಬ ಪ ಾದ ಗಳ
all harm, moral as well as ಅವ ಗಳ ೕ .
material.
• The Dharma-shastra
literature, wri en in
Sanskrit, exceeds 5,000
tles.
1. sutras (terse maxims)

3. nibandhas (digests of smriti verses from

canvritti
various quarters) Itand  s
be divided into 2. smriti
three s (shorter or longer treatises in
categories
(commentaries upon individual stanzas)
continuous smritis). 
 Dharma Shastra
• Dharmashastra’ is an example of Smri . They are
Sanskrit wri en texts on religious and legal du es.
Dharmashastras are voluminous and there are
hundreds of such texts. The two most important
features of the Dharmashastras are that they
provide rules for the life of an ideal householder
and they contain the Hindu knowledge about
religion, law, ethics and so on
Dharmashastra contains three categories

âchâra

Dharmashastra

prâyaschitta’, ‘vyavâhara’.
 prâyaschitta
âchâra vyavâhara’.
’,

punishments and
laws and legal penances for
Varnas
procedures violating the laws of
dharma

They are understood

to remove the sin of
Ashrama  rajadharma’  committing
something that is
forbidden.

king to organize
court,

witnesses, decide
and enforce
punishment and
pursue justice
 Important Dharmashastra Texts
on legsla on
1. Manusmri (200BC-200CE); • These texts were o en
2. Yajnavalkya Smri used for legal
(200-500CE);
judgments and opinion.
3. Naradasmri (100BC-
400CE); It is not clear if single or
4. Visnusmri (7001000CE); mul ple authors wrote
5. Brhaspa smri these texts. They differ
(200-400CE); and in format and structure
6. Katyayanasmri from the Dharmasutra
(300-600CE).
and are wri en in the
verse form.
Two Principal Schools of Hindu Law
Mitakshar Dayabhag
a a
This school
1.The banaras prevails in west
school bengal and
assam

2. The mithila
scool

3. The dravida or
madras scgool

4. The bombay
or maharashtra
scool

5. The punjab
school
 Mitakshara school
1. The Benaras School: 2. Mithila School: This
Excep ng in Mithila and school prevails in Tirhoot
the Panjab, this school and North Bihar. The
prevails in the whole of following commentaries
northern India including are:
Orissa. The following 1. Mitakshara
commentaries are
2. Vivada Ratnakar
1. Mitakshara
2. Viramitrodaya 3. Vivada Chintamani
3. Da aka mimansa 4. Smri Sara or
4. Niranayasidhu
Smrityarthasar
5. vivada Tandava 5. Madana Parijata.
6. Subodhini
7. Balam-Bha
3. Dravida or Madras School: The
whole of the Madras state is
governed by the Madras School of
Hindu Law.
the authorities accept in this school as
follows:
 UNIT - II
• Marriage and Kinship – • ಮದು ಮತು ರಕಸಂಬಂಧ
• Evolution of the Institution –
of Marriage and Family • ಮದು ಮತು ಕುಟುಂಬ
• Law Prior to Hindu ಸಂ ಯ ಕಸನ
Marriage Act -A detailed • ಂದೂ ಾಹ ಾ ಯ
study of Hindu Marriage ದಲು ಾನೂನು- ಂದೂ
Act, 1955 – ಾಹ ಾ , 1955 ರ
• Matrimonial Remedies ವರ ಾದ ಅಧ ಯನ
Maintenance and Alimony. • ೖ ಾ ಕ ಪ ಾರಗಳ
• Customary Practices and ವ ಹ ಮತು ೕವ ಾಂಶ.
legislative provisions
relating to dowry • ವರದ ೕಧ
prohibition. ಸಂಬಂ ದ ಾಂಪ ಾ ಕ
ಆಚರ ಗಳ ಮತು
ಾಸ ಾಂಗ ಬಂಧ ಗಳ .
 UNIT - III
• Hindu undivided family • ಂದೂ ಅ ಭ ತ ಕುಟುಂಬ
• Mitakshara Joint Family –
• Formation and • ಾ ರ ಜಂ ಕುಟುಂಬ
Incidents - Property • ರಚ ಮತು ಘಟ ಗಳ -
under both Schools – ಎರಡೂ ಾ ಗಳ
• Kartha: His Position, ಅ ಯ ರುವ ಆ –
Powers, Privileges and • ಕ ಾ : ಅವನ ಾ ನ,
Obligations ಅ ಾರಗಳ , ಸವಲತುಗಳ
ಮತು ಕಟು ಾಡುಗಳ –
• Debts - Doctrine of
Pious Obligation – • ಾಲಗಳ - ಾ ಕ
ಾಧ ಯ ಾ ಂತ –
• Partition and Reunion - • ಭಜ ಮತು ಪ ನ ಲನ
Religious and - ಾ ಕ ಮತು ದ ದ .
Charitable Endowment.
 UNIT - IV
• Inheritance and • ಆನುವಂ ಕ ಮತು
Succession ಉತ ಾ ಾರ
• Historical perspective of • ಆನುವಂ ಕ ಸಂಬಂ ದ
traditional Hindu Law ಾಂಪ ಾ ಕ ಂದೂ
relating to Inheritance - A ಾನೂ ನ ಐ ಾ ಕ
detailed study of Hindu ದೃ ೂೕನ - ಂದೂ
Succession Act, 1956. ಉತ ಾ ಾರ ಾ , 1956
ರ ವರ ಾದ ಅಧ ಯನ.
• Stridhana- Woman's • ೕಧನ- ಮ ಯ ಆ -
Property - Recent State ಂದೂ ಉತ ಾ ಾರ
and Central ಾ ಯ ಉಡು ೂ ಗಳ
Amendments to Hindu ಮತು ಒಡಂಬ ಯ
Succession Act Gifts ಉತ ಾ ಾರ ಇ ೕ ನ
and Testamentary ಾಜ ಮತು ೕಂದ
Succession - Wills. ದುಪ ಗಳ -
 UNIT - V
• Law relating to Hindu • Kannada
Minority and • ಂದೂ ಅಲ ಸಂ ಾ ತ
Guardianship: Kinds of ಮತು ರ ಕತ
Guardians: Duties & ಸಂಬಂ ದ ಾನೂನು:
Powers of Guardians. ಒಂದು ೕ ಯ ರ ಕರು:
A detailed study of ಕತ ವ ಗಳ ಮತು ರ ಕರ
Hindu Adoption and ಅ ಾರಗಳ . ಂದೂ ದತು
Maintenance Act, ಮತು ವ ಹ ಾ ,
1956. Maintenance: 1956 ರ ವರ ಾದ
Traditional Rights and ಅಧ ಯನ. ವ ಹ :
ಂದೂ ದತು ಮತು
Rights under Hindu ವ ಹ ಾ 1956 ರ
Adoption & ಅ ಯ ಾಂಪ ಾ ಕ
Maintenance Act 1956. ಹಕು ಗಳ ಮತು ಹಕು ಗಳ .
UNIT - I
Introduction - Concept of Dharma - Sources of Hindu Law - Modern and Ancient - Importance of Dharma
Shastra on Legislation - Two Principal Schools of Hindu Law -Application of Hindu Law.

UNIT - II
Marriage and Kinship - Evolution of the Institution of Marriage and Family- Law Prior to Hindu Marriage Act -A
detailed study of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 -Matrimonial Remedies Maintenance and Alimony. Customary
Practices and legislative provisions relating to dowry prohibition.

UNIT - III
Hindu undivided family - Mitakshara Joint Family - Formation and Incidents - Property under both Schools -
Kartha: His Position, Powers, Privileges and Obligations - Debts - Doctrine of Pious Obligation - Partition and
Reunion -Religious and Charitable Endowment.

UNIT - IV
Inheritance and Succession - Historical perspective of traditional Hindu Law relating to Inheritance - A detailed
study of Hindu Succession Act, 1956. Stridhana- Woman's Property - Recent State and Central Amendments
to Hindu Succession Act Gifts and Testamentary Succession - Wills.

UNIT - V
Law relating to Hindu Minority and Guardianship: Kinds of Guardians: Duties & Powers of Guardians. A detailed
study of Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956. Maintenance: Traditional Rights and Rights under Hindu
Adoption & Maintenance Act 1956.
 UNIT - I

• Introduction –
– Concept of Dharma –
– Sources of Hindu Law - Modem and Ancient –
Importance of Dharma Shastra on Legislation
- Two Principal
• Schools of Hindu Law -Application of
Hindu Law.
 Introduction
1. What is Hindu Law?
1. According to Mayne, Hindu Law is the law of
“Smri s” as expounded in the Sanskrit
Commentaries and digests which as modified and
supplemented by custom, is administered by the
courts.
2. According to the Hindus, the Hindu Law
originated from the Vedas and has a divine origin.
 Origin of Hindu Law:

1. According to Hindus:
According to Hindu, is of divine origin, having
been derived from the Vedas.

2. According to Western Jurists:

According to western jurists, who do not accept
the Hindu Law idea of divine origin of laws, it is
based upon immemorial customs, which existed
prior to and independent of Brahmanis.