Hindu period law is a term that refers to the legal system that applied to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs in British India.It was derived from the ancient and medieval texts of Hinduism, such as the Vedas and the Dharmaśāstras, which contained the principles of dharma (righteousness and duty).However, the British colonial officials misunderstood and misinterpreted these texts as codes of law, and imposed them on the Indian population without regard for their diversity and context. Hindu period law was also influenced by Islamic law, which had been introduced by the Mughal rulers in India.Hindu period law was a form of legal pluralism, which meant that different religious groups had different legal rights and obligations under the colonial rule. Hindu period law was replaced by modern Hindu law after India gained independence in 1947.Modern Hindu law is based on the Constitution of India, which guarantees equality and justice for all citizens, regardless of their religion.Modern Hindu law also incorporates some reforms and codifications of the traditional Hindu law, such as the Hindu Marriage Act, the Hindu Succession Act, and the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act.
