Minor Smrti Writers of Bengal
Summary
Banerji traces the development of Smrti literature in Bengal, arguing that medieval Bengal was pre-eminent in legal scholarship and produced a distinct Navya-smrti school. Contrary to popular belief, Raghunandana did not found this school but marked its culmination. Banerji compiles a catalogue of minor Smrti writers, many of whom are virtually unknown. He arranges names alphabetically and cites sources like manuscript catalogues and government surveys. These writers, often with Bengali names, produced treatises on domestic rites, property rights, inheritance and caste customs. Examples include Ananda Bhatta’s Smrti-nibandha, Jyotishcandra Vidyavagisa’s Kaulinya-nirnaya and Harihara Vidyalankara’s Smrti-tatva-prakasika. Banerji notes that some names may be pseudonymous and emphasises the need for critical editions. The article concludes that Bengal’s legal tradition was sustained by numerous lesser-known scholars whose contributions shaped regional jurisprudence.
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Conclusion
Banerji broadens our understanding of Bengal’s Smrti tradition by highlighting minor authors whose works underpin the region’s legal scholarship. His catalogue counters the notion that Raghunandana alone founded the Navya-smrti school and shows that numerous scholars contributed to its evolution. By mapping these writers and their texts, Banerji encourages further research and preservation of Bengal’s diverse jurisprudential heritage.