Between 1955 and 1956 the Government of India passed four Hindu Law Acts to reform and codify Hindu family law. Scholars have understood these acts as a response to growing concern about women's rights but, in a powerful re-reading of their history, this book traces the origins of the Hindu law reform project to changes in the political-economy of late colonial rule. The Hindu Family and the Emergence of Modern India considers how questions regarding family structure, property rights and gender relations contributed to the development of representative politics, and how, in solving these questions, India's secular and state power structures were consequently drawn into a complex and unique relationship with Hindu law. In this comprehensive and illuminating resource for scholars and students, Newbigin demonstrates the significance of gender and economy to the history of twentieth-century democratic government, as it emerged in India and beyond.

About the book Law relating to Wills has evoked curiosity amongst Judges, lawyers and law students alike. This book offers exhaustive commentary on principles governing this law and illustrates them with contemporary case laws. The book does not contain many judicial authorities of colonial period which have lost relevance in current times, but it does examine the relevant pronouncements. The book discusses concepts which are fundamental to exercise of testamentary jurisdiction, in detail which often engages courts. Four chapters elaborate on law relating to execution and proof of Will. Three chapters are devoted to discussing law relating to grant of probate and letters of administration. Concept of revocation of Will and revocation of probate and letters of administration has been discussed in one chapter each. Other aspects of law, which do not much invite much attention of courts like construction of Will, jurisdiction of court, powers and duties of executors and administrators, void bequest, vesting of legacy, contingent bequest, conditional bequest etc. have also received their due share in the book. Authors have discussed novel concepts like 'Living Will' in this book.

This introduction to Hindu law and jurisprudence questions the traditional perception of law, and reveals law's close linkage with religion. Emphasizing the household, the family, and everyday relationships as additional social locations of law, it contends that law itself can be understood as a theology of ordinary life.