Historical Perspective of Constitution of India

Last Updated : 26 Apr, 2024

India was a component of the British colonial empire before its independence. India was under the British Crown’s sovereignty. Several laws were passed by the British Parliament to regulate India. The Act of 1935 refers to India as a federation of provinces and Indian states, in contrast to the earlier Government of India Acts. By allocating legislative and executive authority to the provinces and the center, autonomy for the provinces was implemented. The Governor, chosen by the Crown, had executive power over the provinces. The independent governmental units were called provinces.

On the recommendation of the ministers, who answered to the provincial assembly, the governor used his authority. Under the direction of the Governor General, the Governor was granted the authority to do specific tasks at his discretion and without reference to the recommendation of the Minister.

Key Takeaways:

India was part of the British colonial empire prior to its independence. India was under the British Crown’s sovereignty.

The British government passed several laws and regulations to govern and regulate India.

On July 18, 1947, the Indian Independence Act, 1947, which was passed by the British Parliament, received royal assent and became operative.

From August 15, 1947, until January 26, 1950, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, served as the chairman of the Drafting Committee.

The powers assigned to the Central Parliament and provincial legislatures were listed in the Federal List and Provincial List, respectively. The provinces and the center may exercise their combined jurisdiction over matters included in the concurrent list.

Table of Content

Legislative Framework for Governance
List of Legislative Authorities
The Indian Independence Act, 1947
Historical Perspective of Constitution of India- FAQs

Legislative Framework for Governance

Some of the important legislation of the British Parliament responsible for the governance of India are as follows:

Government of India Act, 1858

Indian Councils Act, 1861

Indian Councils Act, 1892

Indian Councils Act, 1909

Government of India Act, 1919

Government of India Act 1935

List of Legislative Authorities

1. Federal List: It included topics like currency, foreign policy, the armed forces, and other areas where only the central legislature could enact law

2. Provincial List: It included topics like public health, education, agriculture, and other areas where only provincial legislatures could enact laws.

3.Concurrent List: It covered topics like criminal law, civil law and procedure, marriage and divorce, and other things over which both federal and provincial governments might enact laws.

The Indian Independence Act, 1947

On July 18, 1947, the Indian Independence Act, 1947, which was passed by the British Parliament, received royal assent and became operative. The Government of India Act, 1935, designated August 15, 1947, as the “appointment date” for the establishment of two separate dominions to be called India and Pakistan.
Every Dominion’s Constituent Assembly was to have unrestricted authority to draft and ratify any kind of constitution. It had the full power to revoke any British Parliamentary Act, including the Indian Independence Act.
From August 15, 1947, until January 26, 1950, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, served as the chairman of the Drafting Committee. Following extensive talks and considerations to enhance the current administrative system, geographic constraints, social and cultural diversity, and based on past patterns, an Indian draft constitution proposal was created.
On November 26, 1949, the proposal was deemed approved after receiving approval from Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the President of the Assembly. The Constituent Assembly signed two versions of the constitution, one in Hindi called “Bhartiya Sanvidhan” and “The Constitution of India” in English after holding eleven sessions over the course of two years, eleven months, and eighteen days.
Prem Behari Narain Raizada hand-wrote the original Indian Constitution in exquisite handwriting. Each page included artwork by Shantiniketan artists such as Nandalal Bose and Beohar Rammanohar Sinha.
Adopted on November 26, 1949, was the date on which Indian constitution was adopted. A few of the clauses went into effect right away. The Constitution went into force in its entirety on January 26, 1950. As stated in Article 394 of the Constitution, this day is known as the date of the beginning. In India, January 26th is observed as “Republic Day” annually.