Simone Lawson
The original handwritten copies of the Indian Constitution are kept in the National Museum of New Delhi. The Indian Constitution is the longest of any sovereign country in the world, with a preamble, 22 parts, 448 articles, 12 schedules, 5 appendices, and 115 amendments. The Indian Constitution was signed by 284 Members of Parliament of the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950, and implemented on 26 January 1950. The original signed, handwritten Constitution of the United States is kept at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of the original signed handwritten Constitution | National Archives in Washington, D.C. |
| Location of the original signed handwritten Indian Constitution | National Museum of Delhi |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution is kept at the National Archives in Washington, D.C
- The Indian Constitution is in the National Museum of Delhi
- The Indian Constitution is the longest handwritten constitution
- The US Constitution is the world's shortest and oldest constitution
- The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The US Constitution is kept at the National Archives in Washington, D.C
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City, the nation's temporary capital, within three days. It was drafted by founding father James Madison, who is known as the man who wrote the US Constitution. However, the duty of physically writing out the clauses went to a clerk, who completed the piece in his exceptional handwriting in just a single day on September 16, 1787. The clerk, whose name is unknown, was paid $30 for his work, which was a considerable amount at the time.
The US Constitution is the world's shortest and oldest national constitution. It is also notable for its opening words, "We the People", which represented a new thought: the idea that the people, and not the states, were the source of the government's legitimacy. The phrase was coined by Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania, who chaired the convention's Committee of Style.
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The Indian Constitution is in the National Museum of Delhi
The Indian Constitution, a document that has guided the country towards equality, development, balance, and growth, is kept in the National Museum of Delhi. This original, handwritten copy is a testament to the country's progress and a symbol of its free and independent spirit.
The process of drafting the Indian Constitution was a monumental task undertaken by the Constituent Assembly, which first convened in 1946 and held its final session on 24 January 1950. The Assembly members, aware of the social, economic, and political upheaval in the country, embarked on a journey to create not just a legal document but one that would usher in a social revolution. The result was a constitution with 465 Articles and 12 Schedules divided into 22 parts, making it the world's longest for a sovereign nation.
The original, handwritten Indian Constitution, signed by 284 Members of Parliament of the Constituent Assembly, is preserved in the National Museum of Delhi. The document is a work of art, with each page decorated by artists from Shantiniketan and calligraphed by Prem Behari Narain Raizada. The constitution-making process was a collaborative effort, with B.R. Ambedkar presenting the Draft Constitution and Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar chairing the Drafting Committee.
The National Museum of Delhi serves as a repository of India's history and a testament to the country's democratic ideals. The museum is dedicated to enriching the understanding of the Constitution and its historical significance, making it accessible to all citizens. The museum also showcases the journey of the Constitution, highlighting the debates and discussions that shaped its creation.
The Indian Constitution, housed in the National Museum of Delhi, is a reminder of the country's rich history and the dedication of its leaders. It serves as a symbol of India's commitment to democracy, equality, and the protection of its people's rights and freedoms.
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The Indian Constitution is the longest handwritten constitution
The original signed, handwritten US Constitution is kept at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The document was signed on September 17, 1787, and ratified in 1788.
Now, onto the Indian Constitution, which is the longest handwritten constitution. The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution for a sovereign nation. It is regarded as the world's longest constitution since it encompasses all the specifics and descriptions of the authorities of the government, legislature, and judiciary. The English language version of the Indian Constitution is around 145,000 to 146,385 words long, which is over one-third the length of Alabama's constitution, the longest in the US. The Indian Constitution has a preamble, 448 articles (now 470) in 25 sections, 12 schedules, and five appendices. It has been amended 101 times, with the most recent changes on July 1, 2017.
The Indian Constitution's length can be attributed to several factors, including the country's diversity in terms of language, race, religion, culture, and geography. Additionally, historical issues, such as the Government of India Act of 1935, have played a role in its lengthy content. The constitution was drafted by the 389-member Constituent Assembly, which was elected by the members of the provincial assemblies. The assembly took almost three years to draft the constitution, holding eleven sessions over a 165-day period.
Two copies of the Indian Constitution were handwritten, one in English and one in Hindi, by Prem Behari Narain Raizada in a flowing italic style with beautiful calligraphy. Both versions are currently kept in helium-filled cases in the library of the Parliament House. The original copy was initially wrapped in flannel cloth and kept with naphthalene balls.
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The US Constitution is the world's shortest and oldest constitution
The US Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, is the world's oldest active codified constitution. It is also the shortest written constitution still in force, with 7,762 words. The US Constitution is the fundamental framework of America's system of government. It separates the powers of government into three branches: the legislative branch, which makes the laws; the executive branch, which executes the laws; and the judicial branch, which interprets the laws. It sets up a system of checks and balances to ensure no one branch has too much power, and it divides power between the states and the federal government.
The US Constitution was influenced by the writings of Polybius, Locke, Montesquieu, and others. It was also a benchmark for republicanism and codified constitutions that came after it. The document was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City within three days of its signing. While members of Congress had the power to reject it, they voted unanimously to forward the proposal to the thirteen states for their ratification.
The US Constitution has been amended several times since its inception. To date, 33 constitutional amendments have been approved by Congress and sent to the states for ratification, with six of these amendments failing. The 27th Amendment, addressing congressional pay, was the most recent amendment to be ratified, in 1992. The US Constitution is a powerful vision of freedom and has inspired the trajectory of world history for the perpetual benefit of mankind.
The original signed, handwritten US Constitution is kept at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
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The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787
The document was meticulously crafted, with each word carefully chosen to reflect the ideals and principles of the nation. The final product was a masterpiece of penmanship, handwritten in a single day by a clerk on four sheets of parchment, totalling around 4,000 words. The clerk, whose exceptional handwriting adorned the Constitution, received $30 for his work, a substantial sum at the time.
The signing of the Constitution was a momentous occasion. Following its completion, the document was presented to the delegates for their signatures. George Washington, as the convention leader, signed first, followed by the other delegates from north to south. Notably, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were absent on the day of signing, and three attendees refused to agree to the contents. However, there were still enough signatures to constitute a strong majority.
Within three days of its signing, the Constitution was submitted to the Congress of the Confederation in New York City, the nation's temporary capital. The document was then forwarded to the thirteen states for their ratification, with Article VII outlining the process. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, and the Confederation Congress set March 4, 1789, as the date to begin operating the new government under the Constitution.
Today, the original signed, handwritten Constitution is carefully preserved in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. It is displayed behind glass in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, where visitors can admire its craftsmanship and the bold "We the People" at the top. The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia also serves as a place to celebrate, debate, and explore the Constitution and its significance in shaping America's founding principles.
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Frequently asked questions
The original hand-written copy of the Indian Constitution is present in the National Museum of New Delhi.
The original signed, handwritten US Constitution is kept at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Each member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the Constitution, signed two copies of the constitution, one in Hindi and the other in English.
The Indian Constitution was handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada in a flowing italic style with beautiful calligraphy.
The US Constitution was written on four sheets of parchment, with a fifth sheet containing the Resolution of the Constitutional Convention.
