Simone Lawson
The Constituent Assembly of India, established in 1947, was an elected and nominated body responsible for drafting the Constitution of India. The Assembly appointed several committees to assist in constitution-making, including the Drafting Committee, chaired by B.R. Ambedkar. The constitutional advisor to the Constituent Assembly was Sir Benegal Narsing Rau, a jurist, diplomat, and Indian civil servant. Rau played a crucial role in formulating the Indian Constitution and prepared its initial draft, which was later debated, amended, and approved by the Constituent Assembly. Rau also assisted in drafting the constitutions of other nations, such as Burma (Myanmar) in 1947.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | B. N. Rau |
| Other names | Sir B. N. Rau, Dr. B. N. Rau |
| Profession | Civil servant, jurist, diplomat, statesman |
| Role | Constitutional advisor to the Constituent Assembly of India |
| Time period | Appointed in 1946, with the constitution being passed in 1949 |
| Other notable roles | India's representative to the United Nations Security Council, Judge of the Bengal High Court at Calcutta |
| Drafting the constitution | Prepared the initial draft of the Indian constitution, which was then debated, amended, and approved by the Constituent Assembly |
| Education | Graduate of the Universities of Madras and Cambridge |
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What You'll Learn
Sir Benegal Narsing Rau was the constitutional advisor
Rau was an Indian civil servant, jurist, diplomat, and statesman. He graduated from the Universities of Madras and Cambridge and entered the Indian civil service in 1910. Rau played a significant role in revising the entire Indian statutory code between 1935 and 1937, for which he was knighted in 1938. He was also appointed as a judge of the Bengal High Court at Calcutta in 1939.
In addition to his role as constitutional advisor, Rau served in various other capacities. He was India's representative to the United Nations Security Council from 1950 to 1952 and served as its president when it recommended armed assistance to South Korea in June 1950. He also assisted in drafting the early constitutions of Myanmar (then Burma) in 1947 and India in 1950.
The Constituent Assembly of India was established to draft a constitution for the country, which included the now-separate nations of Pakistan and Bangladesh. It existed for approximately three years and was composed of indirectly elected representatives. The Assembly was not chosen through universal adult suffrage, and Muslims and Sikhs received special representation as minorities. The Constituent Assembly appointed 22 committees to handle different tasks, with eight being major committees.
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Rau helped draft the constitutions of Burma and India
Sir Benegal Narsing Rau was an Indian civil servant, jurist, diplomat, and statesman. He played a crucial role as the constitutional advisor to the Constituent Assembly of India, helping to draft the country's constitution. Rau's involvement in India's constitution-making process began in 1946 when he was appointed as the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly. He was responsible for the general structure and democratic framework of the constitution and prepared its initial draft, which was submitted in February 1948. This draft was then debated, amended, and eventually approved by the Constituent Assembly, with the final version being passed on November 26, 1949. The Constituent Assembly of India was an elected and nominated body responsible for framing the country's constitution after gaining independence from British rule in 1947. It consisted of representatives from different castes, religions, and genders, reflecting India's diverse society.
In addition to his work in India, Rau also played a significant role in drafting the constitution of Burma (now Myanmar) in 1947. He assisted in creating the country's early constitution, contributing to his reputation as an expert in constitutional and federal issues. Rau's expertise in this field was further recognised when he was appointed as India's representative to the United Nations Security Council from 1950 to 1952. During his tenure at the UN, he served as the president of the Security Council and was involved in significant decisions, such as recommending armed assistance to South Korea during the Korean War.
Rau's contributions to the constitutions of both India and Burma were shaped by his extensive knowledge of law and government. He graduated from the Universities of Madras and Cambridge and entered the Indian Civil Service in 1910. Rau's career included notable achievements such as revising the entire Indian statutory code between 1935 and 1937, which led to his knighthood in 1938. He also served as a judge of the Bengal High Court at Calcutta in 1939 and later declined a permanent position there to focus on constitutional reforms. Rau's experience and skills in constitutional matters were invaluable to the drafting processes in both India and Burma, ensuring that the foundations of these nations were built on solid legal and democratic principles.
The impact of Rau's work extended beyond the specific content of the constitutions. His involvement contributed to the legitimacy and durability of the documents by fostering inclusivity and consensus. In the case of India, Rau's initial draft provided a foundation for robust discussions and amendments, reflecting the diverse ideologies and opinions within the Constituent Assembly. This inclusive process helped ensure that the final constitution was widely accepted and supported by the people of India. Similarly, Rau's expertise in constitutional matters contributed to the robustness and longevity of the Burmese constitution during the country's early years.
Overall, Rau's role in drafting the constitutions of Burma and India was significant. His legal expertise, commitment to democratic principles, and inclusive approach to constitution-making helped lay the foundations for two nations. Rau's contributions continue to shape the political and social landscapes of India and Burma, highlighting his enduring impact as a jurist and statesman.
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The Constituent Assembly of India drafted the Constitution of India
The Constituent Assembly of India was a 389-member body (later reduced to 299 members after the partition of India) that was responsible for drafting the Constitution of India. It was a partly elected and partly nominated body, with its members being elected by the Provincial assemblies of British India following the Provincial Assembly elections in 1946 and nominated by princely states. The Assembly was established to draft a constitution for India, which included the now-separate countries of Pakistan and Bangladesh. It existed for approximately three years and served as the nation's Provisional Parliament after independence in 1947.
The Constituent Assembly appointed 22 committees to handle different tasks related to constitution-making, including eight major committees and 14 minor committees. The Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, was responsible for preparing the final draft of the Constitution. The Committee presented a detailed draft constitution that was published for public discussion and amendment proposals.
The process of drafting the Constitution began in July 1947, with the Constitutional Advisor, Sir B. N. Rau, playing a crucial role. Rau, a jurist, civil servant, and diplomat, prepared the initial and rough draft of the Constitution based on his research into other nations' constitutions and the reports presented by the various committees. This draft was submitted in October 1947, and the first draft by the Drafting Committee was published in February 1948. The people of India were given eight months to discuss the draft and propose amendments.
After three drafts and three readings, the Constitution was passed on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950. The Constituent Assembly then became the Provisional Parliament of India, continuing until the first elections under the new constitution in 1952. The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of the country and the longest written national constitution in the world. It lays down the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and outlines the rights and duties of citizens.
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The Constituent Assembly was not elected by universal suffrage
The Constituent Assembly of India, established in 1946, was a body responsible for drafting the Constitution of India. It was a partly elected and partly nominated body, with members chosen by the Provincial Assemblies of British India following the 1946 Provincial Assembly elections. The Assembly was not elected by universal adult suffrage, but rather by provincial assemblies, with special representation given to Muslims and Sikhs as minorities. The Muslim League boycotted the Assembly, although 28 of its 73 members ultimately joined.
The Constituent Assembly of India consisted of 299 delegates from different castes, regions, religions, and genders. They met over 114 days across three years, discussing the contents and laws to be included in the constitution. The drafting process was chaired by B.R. Ambedkar, who is regarded as the father of the Indian Constitution. The first draft of the constitution was prepared by Sir Benegal Narsing Rau, the constitutional advisor to the Constituent Assembly, and submitted in October 1947. The people of India were given eight months to discuss this draft and propose amendments.
Rau, a jurist, diplomat, and Indian civil servant, played a crucial role in drafting the constitutions of both India and Burma. Appointed as the constitutional advisor to the Constituent Assembly in 1946, he travelled to various countries, including the US, Canada, and the UK, consulting with experts on constitutional law. His draft constitution for India was submitted to the Drafting Committee, which then prepared a second draft after considering public comments and criticisms. This second draft was published in October 1948, and the final constitution was passed on 26 November 1949.
While the Constituent Assembly of India was not elected by universal suffrage, other assemblies have followed this democratic principle. For example, the Constituent Assembly of Italy, established in 1946 after Italy's defeat in World War II, was elected with universal suffrage. Similarly, the Constituent Assembly of Bangladesh, convened in 1972, consisted of representatives elected in national and provincial council elections.
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Dr B.R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee
The Constituent Assembly of India, consisting of indirectly elected representatives, was established to draft a constitution for India. It existed for approximately three years, serving as the Provisional Parliament of India after independence in 1947. The Assembly was not elected based on universal adult suffrage, and Muslims and Sikhs received special representation as minorities. The Muslim League boycotted the Assembly, although 28 of its members out of 73 ended up joining India's Constituent Assembly.
The Constituent Assembly appointed 22 committees to deal with different tasks of constitution-making. One of these was the Drafting Committee, which was established on 29 August 1947 under the chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. The committee's mandate was to scrutinise the draft of the constitution's text prepared by the Constitutional Advisor, give effect to the decisions already taken by the Assembly, and include all ancillary matters. The Drafting Committee's first draft was published in February 1948, and the people of India were given eight months to discuss it and propose amendments.
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer, and statesman. He served as Law and Justice Minister in the first cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru. He played a significant role in creating a constitution that was both equitable and accommodative to the needs of all parts of society. In his early career, he was an economist, professor, and lawyer. He also trained in the law at Gray's Inn, London, and received doctorates from Columbia University and the London School of Economics in 1927 and 1923, respectively.
The final draft of the Constitution was introduced by Ambedkar on 4 November 1948. After three drafts and three readings, the constitution was passed on 26 November 1949. In his concluding speech, Ambedkar acknowledged the contributions of Sir B. N. Rau, the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly, who prepared a rough draft of the Constitution for the Drafting Committee. Rau was an Indian civil servant, jurist, diplomat, and statesman. He had previously helped draft the constitutions of Burma in 1947 and India in 1950.
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Frequently asked questions
Sir Benegal Narsing Rau was the constitutional advisor to the Constituent Assembly of India. He was appointed in 1946 and helped draft the constitution, which was passed in 1949.
The constitutional advisor was responsible for the general structure of the democratic framework of the constitution and prepared its initial draft.
Rau was an Indian civil servant, jurist, diplomat and statesman. He also helped draft the constitution of Burma in 1947 and was India's representative to the United Nations Security Council from 1950 to 1952.
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