AN ANSWER TO VARIATIONS IN LEGAL PUNISHMENTS ACCORDING TO THE VARNAS IN MANUSMRITI
Regarding the question raised concerned with the punishment inflicted upon different varnas as per injunctions in Manusmriti, various departments like that of Philosophy and Sanskrit among others, internet crowd and intellectuals have made sweeping remarks on how the Brahmanas were inflicted with the harshest punishments as compared to others, thus showcasing an example of a lenient social framework of Manusmriti. However, historical studies leave no doubt for the proposition of extremely biased position of Manu along with other lawgivers like Katyayana and Brihaspati of Early India against the lower varnas. However, this answer shall concern only the legal injunctions of Manu regarding punishments. This type of sweeping remark was for the first time highlighted by Dr. Priyanath Sen in his work ‘The General Principles of Hindu Jurisprudence’ where he argues, I quote him, “It should be remarked that it is a mistake to suppose that every offence's punishment increased in severit...