118. Jagannātha Tarkapanchānana
Volume I: Part II pp. 978–980
During this significant epoch, the preparation of comprehensive digests became a notable endeavour, exemplified by one initiated under the patronage of Warren Hastings. This particular digest saw the development of both Persian and English renderings, facilitating wider access and understanding. In a similar vein, the *Vivādasarārnava* was meticulously compiled by Trivedi Sarvoruśarman. Nevertheless, amongst the numerous digests meticulously brought together under the direct influence of the British administration, the *Vivādabhaṅgārṇava* by Jagannātha Tarkapanchānana emerged as the most widely recognized and esteemed. The profound significance of this work was further amplified by its translation into English by Colebrooke in 1796. The *Vivādabhaṅgārṇava* comprehensively addresses and expounds upon a multitude of critical topics within the realm of Dharmaśāstra. It is important to note that Jagannātha Tarkapanchānana, the esteemed author of this influential compilation, passed away in the year 1806.
— Synopsis by P.V. Kane, from History of Dharmaśāstra
118. Jagannātha Tarkapanchānana
118. Jagannātha Tarkapañcānana After the British took over the administration of Bengal from the Nabobs, attempts were made to compile easily accessible digests of the personal law of the Hinduṣ It appears that Warren Hastings conceived the idea that a compilation of laws applicable to Hindus should be prepared and called together several Pandits (whose names are given in the note below)1 to compile a digest in Sanskrit ; this was translated into Persian and the Persian version was rendered into English by Nathaniel Brassey Halhed with a long Preface in English in which on p. XLIV he quotes the Gītā verse (II. 22) - ‘ Vasāmsi Jīrnāni ’ in original Sanskrit. Vide for this I. O. Cat. p. 458. This was a very unsatisfactory work. Another attempt was made by Trivedi Sarvoruśarman who compiled in 1789 for Sir William Jones another Digest of law called Vivādasārārnava2 in nine tarangaṣ This digest was suggested by Sir William Jones and two parts of it on contracts and succession were translated by Colebrooke in 1796. The translation was first published in 1797 A. D. and is known to the legal profession as Colebrooke’s Digest. This work exercised great influence over the courts in their administration of Hindu Law in the early dayṣ The work is divided into dvipas, each dvipa being subdivided into ratnaṣ The principal topics dealt with are : recovery of debts, deposits, sale without ownership, partnership, rescission of gifts, non-payment of wages, rescission of sale and purchase, emancipation from slavery, disputes between master and servant, duties of man and wife, inheritance and partitioṇ Jagannātha is said to have died at the venerable age of 111 in 1806.3 Vide ‘ Dictionary of Indian Biography ’ by C. E. Buckland published in 1906, where on p.415 the dates of his birth and death are put as 1695–1806 A. D. with question marks against both dateṣ It is said ‘ the date of his birth is based on traditioṇ’ He had a wonderful memory, became a remarkable logician and unrivalled his knowledge of Hindu Law ; he was consulted by Sir William Jones and Harr- ington, he was held in great respect by the highest Hindu nobles and the Hindu community. He had a free college for students; he left a great reputation as a scholar and died at a great age in 1806.
Though Jagannātha exercised great influence in moulding Hindu Law in Bengal, his work has been held from very early times not to have any binding authority in Western India.4