Jonah Patel
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India and the world's longest written national constitution. It became effective on 26 January 1950, and the original is kept in a special nitrogen-filled hermetically sealed case in the Library of Parliament of India. The calligraphy in the book was done by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, and it was illuminated by Nandalal Bose, known as the artist laureate of India, and his students from Kala Bhavan (Institute of Fine Arts), Visvabharati University.
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What You'll Learn
The constitution's artists
The Indian Constitution is a beautifully illuminated and calligraphed document. Each of its pages is decorated by artists from Shantiniketan, with the calligraphy done by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, using a holder and nib (No. 303 nib). The illumination was done by Nandalal Bose, known as the artist laureate of India, and his students from Kala Bhavan (Institute of Fine Arts), Visvabharati University.
Bose and his team of artists created illustrations that represent styles from different civilizations of the subcontinent, ranging from prehistoric Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley to modern times. The original constitution is hand-written and took nearly five years to produce. It is kept in a special nitrogen-filled, hermetically sealed case in the Library of the Parliament of India.
The artists from Kala Bhavan who worked on the constitution alongside Nandalal Bose included his three children: Biswarup Bose (and his wife Nibedita), Gauri Bhanja (and her daughter, Bani Patel), and Jamuna Sen. Other students of Bose who contributed to the illumination of the Indian Constitution were Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, Dinanath Bhargava, Kripal Singh Shekhawat, A. Perumal, and Vinayak Sivram Masoji.
Beohar Rammanohar Sinha is credited for the preamble page, and Dinanath Bhargava is known for the emblem of India. Together, these artists created a visually stunning and historically significant document that is a testament to India's rich artistic and cultural heritage.
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The assembly's advisor
The drafting committee produced a revised draft constitution, which was submitted to the assembly on 4 November 1947. The Constituent Assembly, comprised of 389 members (which reduced to 299 after the partition of India), convened eleven sessions over a period of 165 days to finalise the constitution. The constitution, which came into effect on 26 January 1950, is the world's longest for a sovereign nation, with approximately 145,000 words across 395 articles, 22 parts, and 8 schedules. It is also the second-longest active constitution globally, after the Constitution of Alabama.
The Indian Constitution, as the supreme legal document of the nation, espouses constitutional supremacy rather than parliamentary supremacy. This distinction is significant because it was created by a constituent assembly rather than Parliament. The constitution's length and complexity reflect the meticulous effort and consideration that went into its creation, ensuring that it could serve as a robust framework for India's democratic governance. The assembly's advisor, Rau, made significant contributions to this process, and his work continues to underpin the country's legal and political systems.
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The assembly's drafting committee
The Constituent Assembly of India was an elected and nominated body responsible for framing the Constitution of India. It was first convened in 1936, and officially formed in 1946 following the Provincial Assembly elections. The Assembly was made up of 299 representatives, including 28 members of the Muslim League, and 93 members from princely states.
The committee's work was supported by a team of experts led by the Congress Party, which was known as the Congress Assembly Party. The Constituent Assembly itself met for almost three years, holding eleven sessions over 165 days, with 114 days spent considering the Draft Constitution. The Assembly's first session was held in New Delhi on 9 December 1946, with 207 members in attendance. The Chamber was elegantly decorated for the occasion, with bright lamps hanging from the high ceilings and walls.
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The constitution's fundamental principles
The Indian Constitution is a comprehensive document that outlines the fundamental principles upon which the country is governed. These principles are enshrined in the Constitution to safeguard the rights of citizens and ensure a just and equitable society. Here is a closer look at some of the key fundamental principles of the Indian Constitution:
Fundamental Rights
The Indian Constitution guarantees a set of fundamental rights to all citizens, which are justifiable. These rights are outlined in Part III of the Constitution, from Article 12 to Article 35. They include the right to equality, encompassing equality before the law, the prohibition of discrimination on various grounds such as religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, and equality of opportunity in employment. Citizens also enjoy the right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association or union, movement, and residence. Additionally, there is a right against exploitation, which prohibits forced labour, child labour, and human trafficking.
Directive Principles of State Policy
The Directive Principles of State Policy guide the state in governing the country and are crucial in shaping the fundamental character of India's polity. They include principles such as equitable distribution of wealth and resources, socialistic goals, and the prevention of concentration of wealth. While these principles do not have legal enforceability, they are still important in guiding the state's policies and actions.
Parliament's Power to Amend
The Indian Constitution grants Parliament the authority to amend it, particularly regarding fundamental rights. However, this power has been challenged and debated over the years, with the Supreme Court playing a crucial role in interpreting and safeguarding the basic structure of the Constitution.
Judicial Review
The Constitution establishes an independent judiciary with the power of judicial review. This means that the courts can examine the constitutionality of laws and determine whether they align with the fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens. The judiciary's role is essential in resolving conflicts and ensuring that the government's actions are in line with the Constitution.
Socialistic Goals
The Indian Constitution reflects the country's commitment to socialistic ideals, which aim to reduce economic inequalities and ensure a more equitable distribution of resources. This is evident in the land reforms enacted after independence, which sought to reform land ownership and tenancy structures to benefit those adversely affected by the previous system.
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The constitution's status
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India and the longest written national constitution in the world. It is a sovereign, democratic document that sets out the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, as well as the fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens. It became the law of India on 26 January 1950, and it has had more than 100 amendments since it was enacted.
The constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly, which was made up of 389 members (reduced to 299 after the partition of India) who were 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. The constitution was also influenced by previous legislation, such as the Government of India Acts of 1858, 1919, and 1935, as well as the Indian Independence Act of 1947, which divided the assembly into two with the creation of Pakistan.
Sir B. N. Rau, a civil servant and the first Indian judge at the International Court of Justice, was appointed as the assembly's constitutional advisor in 1946. Rau prepared the initial draft of the constitution in February 1948, which consisted of 243 articles and 13 schedules. This draft was then considered, debated, and amended by the seven-member drafting committee, chaired by B. R. Ambedkar, which produced a revised draft that was submitted to the assembly on 4 November 1947. The final constitution had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules, with an estimated cost of ₹6.3 crore.
The original, hand-written constitution is illuminated and calligraphed, with each page decorated by artists from Shantiniketan, including Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and Nandalal Bose, the latter of whom is known as the artist laureate of India. The calligraphy was done by Prem Behari Narain Raizada using a holder and a No. 303 nib. The constitution was published in Dehradun and photolithographed by the Survey of India, with 1,000 photolithographic reproductions made. The original is kept in a special nitrogen-filled, hermetically sealed case in the Library of the Parliament of India.
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Frequently asked questions
Nandalal Bose, known as the artist laureate of India, illuminated the Indian Constitution.
Nandalal Bose's students from Kala Bhavan (Institute of Fine Arts), Visvabharati University, including Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, Dinanath Bhargava, Kripal Singh Shekhawat, A. Perumal, and Vinayak Sivram Masoji.
The illustrations represent styles from different civilizations of the subcontinent, ranging from the prehistoric Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley to the present.
