The constitution is the rules book of a country. It gives the basic structure and how to be ruled. This article explains how the Indian constitution was made.
Making of Our Constitution :
- After the First War of Independence, regions which were controlled by the East India Company comes under British rule after the Queen’s proclamation of 1858 as British India. Since then, the British parliament was passing laws for British India. India was ruled based on the acts passed in Britain.
- In 1934, M.N. Roy was the first person to demand a separate constitution for India. Nehru also put forth the idea of our constitution in 1938.
- when the second world war was going on, our leaders demonstrated huge protests all across the nation for Indians’ participation in the war without any discussion with any political party.
- During this time, the British announced an AUGUST OFFER plan in 1940. For the first time, the Britain parliament accepted the demand for Constitution. But it failed due to the conflict between Indian National Congress and Muslim League.
- August’s offer was followed by CRIPPS MISSION in 1942 which was also rejected by both parties. In 1946, CABINET MISSION reached India consisting of Britain’s parliament members. Finally, both parties accepted it and the provision to constitute a constituent assembly was announced.
Constitutional Assembly :
- The constituent assembly was formed with 389 members. Out of this 389, Provincial states were represented by 296 members and 93 members come from princely states.
- The first session of the constituent assembly was held on 9th December 1946. Dr Sachchidananda Sinha was elected as the interim president since he was the oldest member of the assembly.
- On 11th December, Dr Rajendra Prasad becomes President of the constituent assembly. H.C. Mukherjee and V.T. Krishnamachari become Vice-Presidents. G.V. Mavlankar was the first speaker.
- Initially, only congress members attended the sessions. Muslim league boycotted.
- Jawaharlal Nehru brought up the Objective Resolution on December 13. It determined the basic structure and ideology of our constitution. Later it became the Preamble of our constitution.
- Every provision went through n number of discussions and arguments. when the majority accepts, it was enacted. we borrowed a lot of provisions from other countries because it was successful in implementation in their countries.
- A lot of committees were made for making the constitution. Of all, the Drafting Committee was the most important one. It was headed by Dr B.R. Ambedkar. He was known as the Father of the Indian Constitution and the Chief Architect of our constitution.
- Other important committees are the union power committee and union constitution committee headed by Nehru, the provincial constitution committee and the Rules and procedures committee were headed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
- The constitution was completed on 26th November 1949. The total time taken to complete the process was 2 years 11 months and 18 days. 12 sessions and 166 days of sittings. 2473 amendments were made. More than 60 countries’ constitutions were studied.
- Even though the constitution was completed, it was adopted officially on 26th January 1950. This is to commemorate Nehru’s 1928 Report where he announced on 26th January 1930 that India gets Independence. We are celebrating it as Republic Day.
- But some of the provisions like Citizenship (article- 5 to 11) and elections (Article- 324) were enacted on 26th November 1949. To commemorate this day, we celebrate Constitution Day.
Important Questions:
Q1: Who was the first elected president of the constituent assembly?
A. Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Dr Rajendra Prasad
C. Vallabhbhai Patel
D. Dr B.R. Ambedkar
Answer: B
Q2: Who is the first person to talk about the constitution for India?
A. Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Mahatma Gandhi
C. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
D. M.N. Roy
Answer: D
Q3: What are the provisions enacted on 26 November 1949?
A. Preamble
B. Fundamental Rights
C. Citizenship
D. Fundamental duties
Answer: C
Q4: Why we did borrow a lot of provisions from other countries?
A. Because we have no idea how to write a constitution
B. Because many western countries became democracies before India. So we took the provision which all suits our country.
C. Because India wanted to complete before Pakistan.
D. Because Britain told to.
Answer: B
Q5: When was the drafting of the constitution ends?
A. 26th December 1950
B. 26th January 1950
C. 26th November 1949
D. 27th November 1949
Answer: C
Q6: Who is the first Speaker?
A. Hukam Singh
B. G.S. Dhillon
C. A. Ayyangar
D. G.V. Mavalankar
Answer: D
Q7: Who was the chairman of the Union powers committee?
A. Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Ambedkar
C. Rajendra Prasad
D. Rajaji
Answer: A
Q8: What is the time taken to complete the constitution?
A. 2 years, 10 months and 18 days
B. 2 years, 11 months and 18 days
C. 2 years, 11 months and 17 days
D. 2 years, 11 months and 17 days
Answer: B
Q9: Who was the Vice-President of the constituent assembly?
A. T. T. Krishnamachari
B. C. Rajagopalachari
C. Abul Kalam Azad
D. Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: A
Q10. When is our Constitution day?
A. 15th December
B. 26th January
C. 15th December
D. 26th November
Answer: D