Malcolm Rivera
The Indian Constitution, which came into force on 26 January 1950, is a testament to the tireless efforts of its founding fathers. The document, which consists of 395 articles, 8 schedules and 22 parts, was signed and accepted by all and marked the country's transition from being a dominion of the British Crown to a sovereign, democratic republic. The founding fathers of the Indian Constitution include Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, K.M. Munshi, Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
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What You'll Learn
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the chairman of the drafting committee
The Indian Constitution, which came into effect on 26 January 1950, is the lengthiest written constitution in the world, comprising a preamble and 470 articles, which are grouped into 25 parts. The constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly, which was elected by elected members of the provincial assemblies. The 389-member assembly (reduced to 299 after the partition of India) took almost three years to draft the constitution, holding eleven sessions over a 165-day period.
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, born on 14 April 1891 in the Mhow Army Cantonment, Central Provinces (present-day Madhya Pradesh), was the chairman of the drafting committee. He was also one of the seven founding fathers of the Drafting Committee, appointed by the Constituent Assembly in 1947 for preparing a draft of the Constitution of India. Ambedkar was a significant figure in social movements fighting for Dalit rights and worked towards putting in place political safeguards for untouchables. In 1924, he established the 'Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha' for the social upliftment of the 'marginalised sections', with the motto "Educate, Agitate, Organise". He also founded the People's Education Society to promote education and social welfare for all citizens.
As Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Dr. Ambedkar played a pivotal role in shaping the constitutional framework of independent India. He advocated for fundamental rights, social democracy, liberty, equality, and fraternity as principles of life. He also played an instrumental role in drafting the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, which outlines the core of the Constitution.
Ambedkar's legacy as a socio-political reformer had a deep effect on modern India. His initiatives have influenced various spheres of life and transformed the way India looks at socio-economic policies, education, and affirmative action through socio-economic and legal incentives. His reputation as a scholar led to his appointment as India's first Law Minister and chairman of the committee for drafting the constitution.
In 1956, Dr. Ambedkar renounced Hinduism and embraced Buddhism, along with thousands of his followers. This conversion was seen as a symbolic rejection of the caste system and a move towards embracing equality and social justice.
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Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the visionary prime minister
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, was a visionary leader who played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence from British rule. Born on November 14, 1889, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Nehru was a central figure in the Indian nationalist movement in the 1930s and 1940s. He was imprisoned multiple times for his activism against British rule, spending approximately 3,259 days in jail.
Nehru's vision for India included promoting secularism, socialism, and democracy, which shaped the nation's policies post-independence. He was a strong advocate for parliamentary democracy and secularism, steering India away from the two blocs of the Cold War. He also promoted science and technology during the 1950s, powerfully influencing India's arc as a modern nation. Nehru understood the importance of education and was instrumental in establishing many educational institutions in India, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He believed that children were the country's future and dedicated much of his time to initiatives aimed at their well-being and development. His birthday, November 14, is celebrated as Children's Day in India, honouring his legacy and love for children.
Nehru's commitment to making India a self-sufficient economy led him to establish temples of modern learning and giant public sector industries. He set strong foundations for the country's institutions, with a focus on democratic values, social reform, and justice. He nurtured India's democracy during its early years and ensured that the country remained inclusive and respected the rights of all its citizens, regardless of caste or religion. He cooperated with other Congress leaders, such as Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, in the Constituent Assembly and the Cabinet, working together for the common cause of democracy.
Nehru's impact extended beyond India's borders as well. He signed the Panchsheel Agreement between China and India, which served as the five guiding principles of the relationship between the two nations. However, he felt betrayed when China attacked India in 1962, which deeply affected him personally and politically. Despite this setback, Nehru's ideals and policies continue to shape the Congress Party's manifesto and core political philosophy. He remains a popular symbol of the party, and his style of clothing, including the Gandhi cap and the Nehru jacket, is often emulated.
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Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as the "Iron Man of India", was born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, a small town in Gujarat. He was a successful barrister and a Senior Congress leader who played a crucial role in India's freedom struggle and the unification of the nation post-independence. Patel's commitment to the unity and integrity of India was unwavering, and he is revered as one of the key architects of the country's independence.
Patel's most significant achievement was his role in integrating the princely states into the Union of India. Through diplomacy, persuasion, and coercion, he convinced almost every princely state to join the Indian government, thus ensuring the country's territorial integrity. He also played a pivotal role in shaping India's administrative structure, creating a unified system for the newly independent nation. Patel's support for a liberal industrial policy laid the foundation for India's economic growth and development.
As the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India, Patel served as the principal architect of the country's political integration. He worked closely with Jawaharlal Nehru, Louis Mountbatten, and Mahatma Gandhi, cooperating with them in the Constituent Assembly and the Cabinet. Despite some differences in approach, Patel and Nehru shared a mutual admiration and respect, and their commitment to democracy, secularism, and the integrity of India was unparalleled. Patel was a true Gandhian who advocated for the establishment of a secular nation, the abolition of untouchability, and minimum wages for workers.
In addition to his political achievements, Patel became a household name for his role in the Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928, which earned him the title of 'Sardar'. He actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920, recruiting 300,000 volunteers for the Congress Party and collecting Rs. 1.5 million for the party fund. When Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned in 1923, Patel led the Satyagraha against the British law banning the hoisting of India's flag. He was also imprisoned during the Quit India Movement in 1942, along with the entire Congress Working Committee, from 1942 to 1945.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's contributions to India's nation-building process were extraordinary, and he remains an iconic figure in the country's history. His birth anniversary on October 31 is celebrated as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day, commemorating his remarkable legacy. The Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world, stands as a tribute to his extraordinary contributions, and institutions across India bear his name, including the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology and the Sardar Patel University.
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K.M. Munshi, member of the Order of Business Committee
The Indian Constitution, which came into effect on 26 January 1950, is the lengthiest written constitution in the world, comprising a preamble and 470 articles. It serves as the supreme law of the land, providing a framework for the governance of the country. The constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly, which was elected by elected members of the provincial assemblies. The assembly held eleven sessions over a 165-day period.
Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi, also known as K.M. Munshi, was the first Chairman of the Order of Business Committee of the Constituent Assembly. An active participant in the freedom struggle, Munshi extended legal counsel to several freedom fighters detained by the British and participated in the Bardoli Satyagraha, Salt Satyagraha, and the Quit India movement. He was elected to the Constituent Assembly from Bombay on a Congress Party ticket and was one of the most active members, serving on 16 committees and sub-committees, including the ad hoc Flag Committee and the Drafting Committee. Munshi's interventions in debates relating to fundamental rights, citizenship, and minority rights demonstrated his commitment to social reform and activism, particularly in the areas of women's rights and caste prejudice.
The idea of the Constituent Assembly of India was first proposed by Manabendra Nath Roy or MN Roy in 1934. The assembly's constitutional advisor, Sir B.N. Rau, prepared the initial draft of the constitution in February 1948. This draft consisted of 243 articles and 13 schedules, which were debated and amended by the seven-member drafting committee chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, Independent India's first Law Minister, is widely recognized as the Father of the Indian Constitution. His tireless efforts and visionary leadership were pivotal in shaping the constitutional framework of independent India. As Chairman of the Drafting Committee, he played a crucial role in formulating a comprehensive and inclusive constitution that reflected the aspirations and principles of the nation.
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Mahatma Gandhi, the guiding spirit
Mahatma Gandhi is recognised as the guiding spirit of the Indian Constitution. His idea of gram swaraj and national swaraj, or self-rule, laid the foundation for India's democratic aspirations. Gandhi's leadership of the freedom struggle, with his non-violent approach, was instrumental in achieving the goal of independence and setting the stage for the country's constitutional democracy.
Gandhi's commitment to social reform and justice, particularly his stance against untouchability, inspired the values enshrined in the Constitution. His principles and ideals influenced the work of the Constituent Assembly, which was tasked with the important duty of drafting the Constitution. The Assembly, elected by the members of the provincial assemblies, consisted of 389 members (later reduced to 299 after the partition of India). It took them almost three years to draft the Constitution, holding eleven sessions over a 165-day period.
The Indian Constitution, the lengthiest written constitution in the world, came into effect on January 26, 1950, marking India's transition from a dominion of the British Crown to a sovereign, democratic republic. The Constitution provides a framework for governance, establishing fundamental political principles, defining the structure of the government, and outlining the rights and duties of citizens.
Gandhi's vision for India's independence and his commitment to democratic ideals guided the country's founding fathers in their endeavour to draft a Constitution that reflected the aspirations and principles of a free and just society. His legacy continues to inspire generations of Indians, shaping the nation's political and social landscape.
The contributions of other key figures, such as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, India's first Law Minister and Chairman of the Drafting Committee, cannot be overstated. Ambedkar's tireless efforts, leadership, and commitment to social reform and Dalit rights played a pivotal role in shaping the Constitution. The work of these visionary leaders laid the foundation for a democratic India, ensuring that the country's supreme law upholds the values of freedom, equality, and justice.
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Frequently asked questions
The founding fathers of the Indian Constitution include Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, K.M. Munshi, Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is widely recognised as the "Father of the Indian Constitution". As Chairman of the seven-member Drafting Committee, he played a pivotal role in shaping the constitutional framework of independent India. He was responsible for drafting Articles 15, 17, and 25, guaranteeing fundamental rights like non-discrimination and religious freedom for all citizens, especially marginalised communities. Jawaharlal Nehru, as Prime Minister, provided the political leadership and vision to guide the constitution-making process. Vallabhbhai Patel's efforts in uniting fragmented princely states and integrating them into the Indian Union laid the foundation for a unified nation.
The Indian Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950, replacing the Indian Independence Act 1947 and the Government of India Act 1935. It 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.
