Eleanor Finch
The Indian Constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950, marking India's transition from a dominion of the British Crown to a sovereign, democratic republic. This day was chosen as it was already celebrated as Independence Day since the Indian National Congress's declaration of 'Purna Swaraj' or complete independence from British rule in 1929. The Constituent Assembly, formed in 1946, spent nearly five years drafting the Constitution, which is the world's longest for a sovereign nation, with 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date chosen | 26 January 1930 was the day the Indian National Congress demanded complete independence or Purna Swaraj |
| Independence Day | This day was celebrated as Independence Day since 1929 |
| British rule | The British did not want to leave India earlier than this date |
| Framers' wish | It was the wish of the framers of the Constitution |
| Auspicious day | It was an auspicious day |
| Constitutional status | India became a 'sovereign, democratic, republic' |
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What You'll Learn
India became a republic
On 26 January 1950, India became a republic when the Constitution of India came into effect. This day is celebrated as Republic Day throughout the country. The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of India and the world's longest written national constitution. The document lays down the framework that demarcates the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.
The date of 26 January was chosen as the Indian National Congress had demanded complete independence or Purna Swaraj on this day in 1930, as opposed to the Dominion Status. The Constituent Assembly started the mission of drafting India's Constitution under Dr B. R. Ambedkar in 1947. The Assembly had been formed in 1946, and a draft constitution was submitted to it in November 1947. The constitution was published in Dehradun and photolithographed by the Survey of India. The original constitution is handwritten, with each page decorated by artists from Shantiniketan. Its calligrapher was Prem Behari Narain Raizada.
India had gained independence from Britain on 15 August 1947 through the passing of the Indian Independence Act in the British Parliament. Through this Act, India became a dominion under the British Commonwealth with the British monarch George VI as the sovereign. The Constitution of India replaced the Indian Independence Act 1947 and the Government of India Act 1935 when it became effective on 26 January 1950. India ceased to be a dominion of the British Crown and became a sovereign, democratic republic with the constitution.
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It was celebrated as Independence Day since 1929
The Indian Constitution was regulated on 26 January 1950, a day that had been celebrated as Independence Day since 1929.
The choice of this date was significant. In 1929, Hasrat Mohani was the first person in Indian history to demand complete independence at the Indian National Congress. This was known as the Purna Swaraj declaration, or "Declaration of the Independence of India". Subsequently, 26 January was declared as Independence Day in 1930. The Congress observed 26 January as Independence Day between 1930 and 1946. The celebration was marked by meetings where attendants took the "pledge of independence".
The Indian Independence Act came into effect on 15 August 1947, marking the end of British rule and the establishment of a free and independent India. This date is now celebrated annually as Independence Day, a national holiday in India. However, the Indian Constitution was not regulated until 26 January 1950, when India became a republic.
The Constitution of India replaced the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of the country. The Constitution gave India the constitutional status of 'sovereign, democratic, republic'.
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It was the wish of the framers of the Constitution
The Indian Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, marking the day that India became a republic. This date was chosen for several reasons, one of which was that it was the wish of the framers of the Constitution.
The Constituent Assembly, formed in 1946, was tasked with drafting a permanent constitution for the country following independence from Britain in 1947. The Assembly, led by Dr B. R. Ambedkar, worked diligently to prepare a draft constitution that reflected the aspirations and values of the Indian people. The final session of the Constituent Assembly was held on 24 January 1950, and two days later, on 26 January, the Constitution of India became the law of the land.
The framers of the Constitution may have chosen this date to commemorate the Indian National Congress's declaration of "Purna Swaraj" or complete independence on 26 January 1930. This declaration was made due to the breakdown of talks between freedom movement leaders and British officials regarding dominion status for India. The choice of 26 January carried symbolic significance, as it was a day that had been celebrated as Independence Day by the Congress Party since 1929.
The Constitution of India is the supreme legal document of the country and is the world's longest written national constitution. It outlines the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, as well as the fundamental rights and duties of citizens. The Constitution also espouses constitutional supremacy, reflecting the intention of its framers and the core values and principles of the nation.
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The British did not want to leave India earlier than this date
The Indian Constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950, marking the country's transition to a modern republic. This date was chosen because it was already celebrated as Independence Day since 1929 or 1930, when the Indian National Congress demanded complete independence from the British Raj.
The British departure from India was also influenced by the rise of nationalism and the freedom movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi, who advocated for non-violent resistance to imperial rule. Gandhi's imprisonment in 1942 and the widespread discontent among Indians further accelerated the push for independence. Additionally, the British faced challenges in administering a large and diverse country like India, with its dynamic demographics and numerous languages and dialects.
The process of granting independence to India was not without its complexities, as religious divisions between Hindu and Muslim communities added another layer of difficulty. The British had used religion as a tool to categorise and divide people, creating separate voter lists and reserved seats for Muslims and Hindus. As a result, the Muslim League demanded partition as part of the independence settlement, leading to the division of the subcontinent into a central and southern part dominated by Hindus, and two parts in the northwest and northeast with a Muslim majority.
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It was an auspicious day
The Indian Constitution was regulated on 26 January 1950, a date considered to be auspicious. This day was significant for several reasons, marking India's transition from a dominion of the British Crown to a sovereign, democratic republic.
The date of 26 January was chosen specifically because, on this day in 1930, the Indian National Congress had demanded complete independence from British rule, a significant step towards freedom and self-governance. This demand for ''Purna Swaraj' or total independence was a pivotal moment in India's history, and it was only fitting that the same date would later mark the country's transformation into a republic.
The Constitution of India, which came into force on 26 January 1950, was the culmination of a long and arduous process that began in 1947 with the formation of the Drafting Committee, led by Dr B. R. Ambedkar. The Committee's dedication and hard work resulted in a comprehensive document that laid out the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, as well as the rights and responsibilities of Indian citizens.
The Constitution's regulation on 26 January 1950 holds immense importance in India's history, not only because it marked the country's transition to a republic but also because it symbolised the realisation of the dreams and aspirations of countless Indians who had fought for freedom, justice, and self-rule. This day, celebrated annually as Republic Day, is a testament to the country's proud history and a reminder of the values and principles upon which the nation was founded.
The choice of 26 January as the day to regulate the Constitution was indeed auspicious, not only because of its historical significance but also because it represented a new beginning for India, setting the country on a path towards self-determination, progress, and a brighter future.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, and this day is celebrated as Republic Day throughout the country.
On 26 January 1930, the Indian National Congress declared this date as 'Independence Day' or 'Poorna Swaraj' (complete independence).
The Indian Constitution is the supreme legal document of India, and the longest written national constitution in the world.
On 26 January 1950, India had the constitutional status of 'sovereign, democratic, republic'.
