of making any further apology for undertaking a research of the Laws of Manu.
In order that the reader may be able to follow what I say on the history of caste. I have made a few remarks in the second chapter explaining the nature of caste. But there I do not claim to be very original. In that chapter I have explained the use of the word, and have given what I consider a logical definition of a caste and the theory of caste system. I have also made a few remarks to show that however peculiar this institution of caste may be, it is based on tendencies of mind which are found among all peoples on the globe.
In the third chapter I have narrated some facts that are now known regarding the period two hundred and fifty years before and after the beginning of the Christian era. This chapter is intended to give to the reader a picture of the conditions of the period approaching the date of our book and to enable him to understand my argument regarding its date. I have devoted the fourth chapter to the mention of some facts regarding our document and to the method of interpreting it historically, and to the investigation of the date and place of the author. In the next chapter I have proceeded to treat the matter of primary interest, viz., the treatment of caste by the book. I have here given what the writer has directly said on the subject, as well as my inferences from the statements he has made.
I have devoted the sixth chapter to the philosophy of caste. I would advise the reader to compare this chapter, which is based on the statements in the text, with the theory of caste in the second chapter, based on the observation of present-day society.
