Omar Bennett
The Indian Constitution, the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation, is a comprehensive document that outlines the country's governing principles and fundamental rules. With a rich history dating back to the country's independence, the constitution has undergone numerous amendments and played a pivotal role in shaping modern India. Interestingly, the original copies of the constitution were handwritten and signed by Members of Parliament, with one copy in English and the other in Hindi. These copies were beautifully crafted with intricate calligraphy and decorations, making them unique and significant artifacts. The question of how many handwritten copies exist sparks curiosity and is an important aspect of India's democratic heritage.
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What You'll Learn
- The original handwritten copies are kept in the Central Library of the Parliament of India
- There are two versions of the handwritten constitution, one in English and one in Hindi
- The calligrapher Prem Behari Narain Raizada wrote the constitution in an italic style
- The constitution was signed by 284 Members of Parliament of the Constituent Assembly
- The constitution was published in Dehradun and photolithographed by the Survey of India
The original handwritten copies are kept in the Central Library of the Parliament of India
The original, handwritten copies of the Indian Constitution are kept in the Central Library of the Parliament of India, also known as the Library of the Parliament of India. There are two versions of the handwritten Indian Constitution, one in English and the other in Hindi. Each member of the Constituent Assembly of India signed two copies of the constitution, one in Hindi and the other in English, on 24 January 1950. The calligrapher Prem Behari Narain Raizada, a resident of Delhi, wrote the document in italic style. Artists from Shantiniketan, including Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and Nandalal Bose, decorated each page of the document.
The original copies of the Indian Constitution are kept in special helium-filled cases in the Central Library of the Parliament. The finished manuscript consisted of 234 pages, weighing 13 kg. It was written on a parchment sheet of size 45.7 cm x 58.4 cm, with a thousand years of anti-microbe paper. The manuscript was published in Dehradun and photolithographed by the Survey of India, which also printed 1,000 initial photolithographic reproductions of the handcrafted Constitution. The Survey of India preserved one of those copies, while another was placed in the library of the Parliament.
The Constituent Assembly, which first met on 9 December 1946, took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to come up with the final draft. The structure of the constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949, and the final session of the assembly convened on 24 January 1950. On 26 January 1950, the Constitution of India was implemented and it became the law of the country. The constitution has had more than 100 amendments since it was enacted.
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There are two versions of the handwritten constitution, one in English and one in Hindi
The Indian Constitution, the country's founding document, turned 70 in 2020. The original copies of the Constitution are handwritten and exist in two versions, one in English and the other in Hindi. These were signed by 284 Members of Parliament of the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950, and the Constitution was implemented on 26 January 1950. The calligrapher Prem Behari Narain Raizada wrote the manuscript in an italic style on a parchment sheet of size 45.7 cm x 58.4 cm, using a thousand-year anti-microbe paper. The finished manuscript consisted of 234 pages, weighing 13 kg. Each page was decorated by artists from Shantiniketan, including Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and Nandalal Bose, who depicted the prehistoric Mohenjodaro and the civilisations and cultures of the Indus Valley belonging to the Indian subcontinent.
The original copies of the Indian Constitution are kept in special helium-filled cases in the Central Library of the Parliament of India. The Constitution has 448 articles and 12 schedules, divided into 25 parts. It is the longest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world. It is also the world's most frequently amended national governing document, having been amended more than 100 times since its enactment.
The Constituent Assembly, which was elected by the elected members of the provincial assemblies, took almost three years to draft the Constitution, holding eleven sessions over a 165-day period. The Assembly first met on 9 December 1946 and the final session was convened on 24 January 1950. The Constitution was published in Dehradun and photolithographed by the Survey of India, which printed 1,000 initial photolithographic reproductions of the handcrafted Constitution. One copy of the batch of 1,000 historical copies was placed in the library of the Parliament, and another copy is preserved in Dehradun. The original Constitution of India was also kept in the National Museum of New Delhi.
The Indian Constitution was drawn from a number of sources, including previous legislation such as the Government of India Acts of 1858, 1861, 1892, 1909, 1919 and 1935, and the Indian Independence Act 1947. It also borrowed features from other constitutions, such as the concept of Five-Year Plans from the USSR and the Directive Principles (socio-economic rights) from Ireland. The ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity in the Preamble were inspired by the French Revolution, and the Preamble itself was influenced by the United States Constitution.
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The calligrapher Prem Behari Narain Raizada wrote the constitution in an italic style
The Constitution of India is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. It is also the second-longest active constitution in the world, with approximately 145,000 words. The original manuscript was handwritten in calligraphy by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, a master of the art form. Born in December 1901, Raizada came from a family of calligraphers and scholars. His grandfather, a scholar of English and Persian, taught him the art of Indian calligraphy, which he further refined during his time at St. Stephen's College in Delhi.
When the draft of the Constitution was finalised by the Constituent Assembly, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru proposed that Raizada handwrite the document in a flowing italic style. Raizada accepted the prestigious task without asking for any payment, stating that he had everything he needed and was content with his life. He did, however, make a special request: that he be allowed to write his name on every page of the Constitution and, on the final page, include his grandfather's name as well. The Indian government granted this request.
Raizada was provided with a room in the Constitution Hall, now known as Constitution Club, where he penned the Constitution. The original manuscript was written on parchment sheets measuring 16 x 22 inches, ensuring a lifespan of a thousand years. The final document consisted of 251 pages and weighed 3.75 kg. It took nearly five years to produce and included unique decorations by artists Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and Nandalal Bose from Shantiniketan on each page.
The calligrapher's work on the Constitution of India is a testament to his skill and dedication to his craft. Raizada's name is forever linked to this significant document, which became the law of India on 26 January 1950, just two days after the final session of the assembly on 24 January 1950.
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The constitution was signed by 284 Members of Parliament of the Constituent Assembly
The Indian Constitution is a comprehensive document that outlines the country's fundamental laws and governing principles. It is a result of a meticulous and collaborative effort by the Constituent Assembly, which played a pivotal role in shaping India's democratic foundation. On 24 January 1950, 284 Members of Parliament of the Constituent Assembly signed the historic document, marking a significant milestone in India's journey towards independence and self-governance.
The Constituent Assembly was a dedicated body of representatives tasked with the solemn responsibility of drafting and finalising the Indian Constitution. It first convened on 9 December 1946, embarking on a journey that spanned nearly three years. The Assembly, initially comprising 389 members, was reduced to 299 members following the partition of India. Despite this setback, the dedication and perseverance of the members remained unwavering.
The Assembly held eleven sessions over a period of 165 days, meticulously deliberating, debating, and refining the content of the Constitution. This process involved extensive discussions and careful consideration of various factors unique to India. The framers of the Constitution drew upon previous legislation, including the Government of India Acts of 1858, 1892, 1919, and 1935, as well as the Indian Independence Act of 1947. They selectively borrowed features from these acts, tailoring them to suit the specific needs and conditions of the country.
The Constituent Assembly also recognised the importance of incorporating principles from other constitutions and legal traditions. They drew inspiration from diverse sources, such as the concept of Five-Year Plans from the USSR, Directive Principles from Ireland, and the ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity from the French Revolution. This integrative approach resulted in a rich and inclusive Constitution that reflected global best practices while remaining firmly grounded in India's unique context.
On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly finalised the Constitution, and 284 Members of Parliament proudly affixed their signatures to the document. This act symbolised the culmination of their tireless efforts and marked the beginning of a new era for India. The Constitution, with its 465 Articles and 12 Schedules divided into 22 parts, stands as a testament to the Assembly's dedication to establishing a robust and comprehensive framework for the nation's governance.
The original handwritten copies of the Constitution, one in English and the other in Hindi, are meticulously preserved. They are kept in special helium-filled cases in the Central Library of the Parliament of India, ensuring their protection and accessibility for future generations to come. The Indian Constitution, with its rich history and global significance, continues to be a source of pride and a guiding light for the world's largest democracy.
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The constitution was published in Dehradun and photolithographed by the Survey of India
The Indian Constitution, the country's founding document, was published in Dehradun and photolithographed by the Survey of India. The Survey of India printed 1,000 initial photolithographic reproductions of the handcrafted Constitution and preserved one of those copies. The Constitution of India was implemented on 26 January 1950, and the country celebrated 70 years of its independence in 2021. The original handwritten copy of the Constitution is kept in the National Museum of New Delhi.
The Constituent Assembly, which was elected by the elected members of the provincial assemblies, took almost three years to draft the Constitution. The 389-member assembly (reduced to 299 after the partition of India) held eleven sessions over a 165-day period. The original Constitution of India was handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada in a flowing italic style with beautiful calligraphy. Each page was decorated by artists from Shantiniketan, including Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and Nandalal Bose. The manuscript was written on a parchment sheet of size 45.7 cm x 58.4 cm, with a thousand years of anti-microbe paper. The finished manuscript consisted of 234 pages, weighing 13 kg.
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest for a sovereign nation. At its enactment, it had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. It is estimated to have over 145,000 words, making it the second-longest active constitution in the world after the Constitution of Alabama. The Constitution has had more than 100 amendments since it was enacted. It took nearly five years to produce the original Constitution, and it cost ₹6.3 crore.
The Constitution of India was drafted with inspiration from various sources, including previous legislation such as the Government of India Acts of 1858, 1919, and 1935, the Indian Councils Acts of 1861, 1892, and 1909, and the Indian Independence Act of 1947. The concept of Five-Year Plans was borrowed from the USSR, while the Directive Principles were inspired by Ireland. The ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity in the Preamble were influenced by the French Revolution, and the Preamble itself was modelled after the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two versions of the handwritten Indian Constitution, one in English and the other in Hindi.
The original copies of the Indian Constitution are kept in special helium-filled cases in the Library of the Parliament of India.
The Indian Constitution was handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada in a flowing italic style with beautiful calligraphy.
