PRELIMINARY NOTE.
The translation into English, by the celebrated Mr. H. T. Colebrooke, of the Dayubhagu, a work on Succession, and of an extract from the Mitakshura, comprising so much of the latter as relates to Inheritance, has furnished the principal basis of the arguments used in the following pages. I have also referred occasionally to the valuable remarks of that eminently learned scholar, in his preface and notes added to the original work. In quoting the Institutes of Munoo, I have had recourse to the translation of this code of Law by the most venerable Sir William Jones, that no doubt may be entertained as to the exactness of the interpretation. Only one text of Vrihusputi, the Legislator, and one passage quoted in another part of the Mitakshura, which has not been translated by Mr. Colebrooke, have been unavoidably rendered by myself. I have, however, taken the precaution to cite the original Sunskrit, that the reader may satisfy himself of the accuracy of my translation.
