The Dharmasutras and the Smritis, are rules and regulations for the general public and the rulers. It can be termed in the modern concept as the constitution and the law books for the ancient Indian polity and society. These are also called Dharmashastras. These were compiled between 600 and 200 B.C. Manusmriti is prominent among the Kautilya’s Arthashastra, a book on statecraft was written in the Maurya period. The text is divided into 15 chapters known as books. Different books deal with different subject matter concerning polity, economy and society. It appears that even before the final version of Arthashastra was written in the fourth century B.C. by Kautilya, there appeared a tradition of writing on and teaching of statecrafts because Kautilya acknowledges his debt to his predecessors in the field. Mudrarakshasha, a play written by Vishakhadatta, also gives a glimpse of society and culture. Kalidasa’s Malavikagnimitram is based on some events of the reign of Pusyamitra Sunga, a dynasty which followed the Mauryas.

Source: NCERT