Reddit mentions of The Laws of Manu (Classics)

Much of the modern interpretation of the caste system comes from the British translation of Manusmriti as a 'legal manual' for the governance of India. Basically, they took a book written some 2000 years ago with references to the caste system and made it a modern thing. The reason it's now used as a talking point against Hindus is because many of us don't actually know this basic fact and thus have no way to actually provide this clear counter-argument.

Edit: The book is called 'The laws of Manu' by Brian Smith and Wendy Doniger. The translation is excellent and highly recommended.

If you wanna tell them nothing else then tell them the above. It is found in a modern translation of the Manusmriti which I have the Kindle version of and I will edit the details in when I get back on the post. But, it's in there as a fact.

Next time someone tries to tell you this, just copy the above part and paste it. If you wish to reference me, that's nice but it's free information anyway. Don't believe a word from people who know jackshit about history but have the chutzpah to use it against you because they think you know less.