The Gentoo Code

The Gentoo Code is a legal code translated from Sanskrit (in which it was known as vivādārṇavasetu) into Persian by Brahmin scholars; and then from Persian into English by Nathaniel Brassey Halhed, a British grammarian working for the East India Company. The translation was funded and encouraged by Warren Hastings as a method of increasing colonial hold over the Indies. It was printed privately by the East India Company in London in 1776 under the title A Code of Gentoo Laws, or, Ordinations of the Pundits. Copies were not put on sale, but the Company did distribute them. In 1777 a pirate (and less luxurious) edition was printed; and in 1781 a second edition appeared. Translations into French and German were published in 1778.It is basically about the Hindu law of inheritance (MANUSMRITI).The Pandits and the Maulvis were associated with judges to understand the civil law of Hindus and Muslims. It has to be asked why was the code written and funded by the East India Company a body not known for its altruistic charm.It was essentially another tool of control, also to further divide the Indians. The code had limited accuracy as the Brahamins writing (translating) it were in the pay of the East India company who wanted a required result in the given circumstances.

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