Jonah Patel
India is home to the biggest democracy in the world and also has the longest written constitution of any sovereign country. The Indian Constitution, which came into effect on 26 January 1950, has been amended over 100 times and currently contains 448 articles in 22 parts with 12 schedules. It is a one-of-a-kind document that encompasses the specifics of the authorities wielded by the government, legislature, and judiciary, as well as the fundamental rights and obligations of its citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country with the longest written constitution | India |
| Number of articles | 448 |
| Number of parts | 22 or 25 |
| Number of schedules | 12 |
| Original number of articles | 395 |
| Number of amendments | 100 or 103 |
| Language originally written in | English |
| Person who wrote the constitution | Prem Behari Narain Raizada |
| Father of the Indian Constitution | Dr. BR Ambedkar |
| Date of adoption | 26 November 1949 |
| Date of enforcement | 26 January 1950 |
| Number of words in the English version | 146,385 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
India's constitution is the world's longest
India is home to the world's largest democracy, and it also has the world's largest constitution. The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, with 146,385 words in its English-language version. The original text of the Constitution contained 395 articles in 22 parts and eight schedules. It came into effect on January 26, 1950, the day that India celebrates each year as Republic Day. The number of articles has since increased to 448 due to 100 amendments, and it has been amended a total of 103 times. The bulkiness of the constitution is attributable to several characteristics taken from the constitutions of many countries. It also encompasses the specifics and descriptions of all the authorities wielded by the government, legislature, and judiciary.
The Indian Constitution was originally written in English and was handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada. Two copies of the Indian Constitution were handwritten, one in English and one in Hindi. They are currently kept in helium-filled cases in the library of the Parliament House. The Indian Constitution is the highest authority in the country and is considered a one-of-a-kind document. It explains the country's political code, the functions and organisation of various government entities, as well as people's fundamental rights and obligations.
The Constitution of India has been amended many more times than the American Constitution, which has been amended 27 times since it was written in 1787 and ratified in 1788. The Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on November 26, 1949, and became effective on January 26, 1950.
Dr B.R. Ambedkar is known as the father of the Indian Constitution. In December 2012, a copy of the first edition of the Indian Constitution, signed by the country's first president, Rajendra Prasad, was auctioned by Sotheby's in London. It sold for nearly £40,000 to a private collector.
Impeachment's Place in the Constitution: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
It has 448 articles, originally 395
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution. It came into effect on January 26, 1950, and has since been amended 103 times. The original text contained 395 articles in 22 parts and eight schedules. The number of articles has since increased to 448 due to 100 amendments. The constitution is divided into 25 parts and 12 schedules.
The constitution was originally written in English and was handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada. Two copies of the constitution were handwritten, one in English and one in Hindi. These are kept in helium-filled cases in the library of the Parliament House. The Indian Constitution is the highest authority in the country and is considered a one-of-a-kind document. It explains the country's political code, the functions and organisation of various government entities, as well as people's fundamental rights and obligations.
The bulkiness of the constitution is due to several factors. India has a great deal of variety in terms of language, race, religion, culture, and geography. These considerations contributed to the Indian Constitution's large size. Additionally, the constitution was drafted primarily by legal professionals, who incorporated all legal considerations into the document. The Government of India Act of 1935 also had a significant influence on the Indian Constitution, with most of its provisions being incorporated, directly or indirectly, into the document.
The Indian Constitution is a comprehensive document that encompasses all the specifics and descriptions of the authorities wielded by the government, legislature, and judiciary. It is a testament to the country's commitment to democracy and the protection of its citizens' rights.
The Indian Constitution: A Collaborative Writing Process
You may want to see also
It was written in English
India is home to the world's largest democracy, and it also has the longest written constitution of any sovereign country. The Indian Constitution is a one-of-a-kind document, with 146,385 words in its English-language version. It was originally written in English by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, who penned the document by hand. Dr. BR Ambedkar is known as the "father of the Indian Constitution".
The constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26 November 1949 and became effective on 26 January 1950, a date now celebrated annually as Republic Day. The original text contained 395 articles in 22 parts and eight schedules, but the number of articles has since increased to 448 due to 100 amendments. It has been amended 103 times in less than eight decades.
The constitution's bulkiness is partly due to India's diversity in terms of language, race, religion, culture, and geography. It also incorporates characteristics from the constitutions of many other countries. The document explains the country's political code, the functions and organisation of various government entities, and people's fundamental rights and obligations.
Two copies of the Indian Constitution were handwritten, one in English and one in Hindi. They are currently kept in helium-filled cases in the library of the Parliament House.
Arizona's Constitution: A Historical Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$11.29 $19.99
It was handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada
India is home to the world's largest democracy and the longest written constitution of any sovereign country. The Indian Constitution, which came into effect on 26 January 1950, is a one-of-a-kind document that establishes the rules by which the country is governed. It contains 448 articles, grouped into 22 parts with 12 schedules, and is said to have 146,385 words in its English-language version. Interestingly, it was handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, a master calligrapher, in a flowing italic style.
Raizada (1901-1966) was born into a family of renowned calligraphers and began learning the art at a young age. His grandfather, Ram Prasad Saxena, was a scholar of English and Persian, and he taught Raizada the art of Indian calligraphy. Raizada further refined his calligraphic skills during his time at St. Stephen's College in Delhi. When the Constituent Assembly of India was drafting the constitution in the late 1940s, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, wanted the historic document to be handwritten. Raizada was chosen for the task and completed the manuscript in six months.
The 251-page manuscript, weighing 3.75 kg, is a testament to Raizada's skill and dedication. He used 432 pen-holder nibs, sourced from England and Czechoslovakia, to inscribe each letter beautifully without a single mistake or blotch of ink. Raizada refused to accept any remuneration for his work but requested that his name and his grandfather's name, Ram Prasad Saxena, be included in the document. This condition was honoured, and both names can be found in the constitution.
The original manuscript of the Indian Constitution is safely preserved in a vault-like room in the library of the Parliament of India. It is kept in a helium-filled case to ensure its protection. Raizada's contribution to the Indian Constitution immortalised his name and that of his grandfather, and his masterful calligraphy brought the document to life, reflecting the country's history, struggles, and aspirations.
The Evolution of India's Constitution: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
It has been amended over 100 times
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, with 146,385 words in its English-language version. It is also the highest authority in the country, explaining the country's political code, the functions and organisation of various government entities, as well as people's fundamental rights and obligations. The constitution has been amended over 100 times, with the number of articles increasing from 395 to 448.
The constitution's lengthy amendment history can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, India's diverse geography, language, race, religion, culture, and historical issues have all contributed to the need for frequent amendments. For example, the Government of India Act of 1935 had a significant impact on the Indian Constitution, with most of its provisions being incorporated directly or indirectly. Secondly, the individuals involved in drafting the constitution were primarily from the legal profession, and as a result, they incorporated numerous legal considerations into the document. This comprehensive approach to constitution-building ensured that many aspects were covered, but it also left room for future amendments as new legal interpretations and perspectives emerged.
The process of amending the Indian Constitution is a complex one and requires the approval of both houses of Parliament, as well as ratification by a majority of state legislatures. This ensures that any changes to the constitution reflect the diverse needs and interests of India's varied population. The high number of amendments can also be attributed to the country's dynamic political landscape, with different political parties and ideologies coming into power over the years, each with their own agenda and vision for the country.
Additionally, the Indian Constitution's status as a living document has contributed to the high number of amendments. It is designed to adapt to the evolving needs and aspirations of India's diverse society. The amendments have addressed various issues, including the interpretation of fundamental rights, the organisation of government institutions, and the incorporation of new policies and laws.
The frequent amendments to the Indian Constitution reflect the country's commitment to refining and improving its governing document. While some critics argue that the length and frequent changes to the constitution may be a weakness, others view it as a strength, demonstrating India's dedication to ensuring its constitution remains relevant and responsive to the needs of its citizens.
The US Constitution's Historical Writing Process
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
India.
The Indian Constitution has 146,385 words in its English-language version.
The Indian Constitution contains 448 articles, originally there were 395 articles.
The Indian Constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950.
The Indian Constitution has been amended 103 times.
