In ancient Indian legal and social tradition, who is regarded as the great law giver of early times, whose name is attached to a famous legal text on social and moral duties?

Introduction / Context:
This question deals with ancient Indian law and social codes. Many early texts set out rules of conduct for different groups in society. Among them, the name Manu is strongly associated with a famous legal text that shaped traditional views of law and social order. Examinations commonly refer to Manu as a great law giver of ancient India, so it is important to link his name correctly with this role.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question asks for the great law giver of ancient times.
- It hints that this figure is associated with a legal text concerning social and moral duties.
- The options list Manu, Vatsyayana, Ashoka, Aryabhatta and Kautilya, each known for different fields.
- We assume the question refers to traditional Hindu law codes, especially the text often called Manusmriti or the laws of Manu.

Concept / Approach:
Manu is traditionally regarded as an ancient law giver whose teachings are preserved in the text Manusmriti. This work lays down rules about caste duties, social conduct, family relationships and moral obligations. In exam oriented history and polity, Manu is often introduced as the great law giver of ancient India. In contrast, Vatsyayana is associated with the Kamasutra, Ashoka with Buddhist inscriptions and edicts, Aryabhatta with mathematics and astronomy, and Kautilya with political treatises like the Arthashastra. The approach is to match each name with his main contribution and select the one with legal authority.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question is about ancient law and social regulation, not about politics, science or literature. Step 2: Recall that Manusmriti is a text on law and social duties traditionally attributed to Manu. Step 3: Recognise that many textbooks refer to Manu as the great law giver of ancient India. Step 4: Match the other options with their well known fields: Vatsyayana with Kamasutra, Ashoka with Buddhist edicts, Aryabhatta with mathematics and Kautilya with Arthashastra. Step 5: Conclude that Manu is the only option whose name is directly tied to a legal and social code, making him the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can mentally list classical Indian writers and their works: Manu with Manusmriti, Vatsyayana with Kamasutra, Kautilya with Arthashastra and Aryabhatta with Aryabhatiya. Only Manusmriti is a comprehensive legal and moral code, and it is explicitly a law book. Standard history and polity texts often label Manu as the law giver, confirming his role as intended by the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Vatsyayana: Known for the Kamasutra, a treatise on human relationships and aesthetic aspects, not a general legal code.
Ashoka: A Mauryan emperor famous for his rock and pillar edicts promoting Dharma and Buddhism, but not primarily a systematic law giver in the sense of a legal code author.
Aryabhatta: A great mathematician and astronomer, not associated with legal texts.
Kautilya: Author of the Arthashastra, a work on statecraft and economics, focused on governance rather than a broad social law code for all classes and stages of life.

Common Pitfalls:
Sometimes students mix up Kautilya and Manu because both are connected with laws and politics. However, Kautilya deals mainly with statecraft, while Manu is associated with social and religious law. Another pitfall is to pick Ashoka, assuming that his edicts are legal pronouncements, but these are moral and religious declarations rather than a structured legal code like Manusmriti. Remembering each figure with his primary work helps avoid confusion.

Final Answer:
The great ancient law giver referred to in the question is Manu.