Something interesting that I wasn't aware off but which fits into my understanding:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manusmriti
"It must be pointed out that Manu smriti is questionable especially in that it is not a work that has ever been accepted or even known by traditional orthodox Brahmanis. The very existence of this smriti did not even come into the awareness of traditional Brahman communities in India until it was somehow discovered by the British in the 19th century."
