Key insights

• ⚜️ The British colonial settlements and the aftermath of the Mutiny of 1857 played a crucial role in shaping the path towards the Constitution of India.
• 📜 The series of acts passed by the British, starting from the Indian Council Act 1892, laid the groundwork for present-day India's constitution.
• 🗓️ The period from 1895 to 1945 saw significant emphasis on fundamental rights, minority rights, and communal differences, which deeply influenced the formation of the Indian Constitution in 1950.
• 🕊️ Gandhi's push for a constitution drawn from the people of India and the evolving political landscape during the Second World War reinforced the demand for a constituent assembly.
• 👩‍⚖️ The constituent assembly, with notable women representation, led the discussions and reviews that culminated in the adoption of the Constitution of India.
• 🇮🇳 The Indian Constitution is the lengthiest in the world and establishes a sovereign socialist secular Democratic Republic, with observance of Constitution Day on 26th November.
• 🏛️ The Indian Constitution features a parliamentary form of government, incorporates fundamental rights and directive principles, and provides for universal adult suffrage.
• 📚 The Constitution of India also includes a strong centralizing tendency, single citizenship, and fundamental duties.

Q&A

• What are the key features of the Indian Constitution?

  The Indian Constitution is based on a parliamentary form of government, incorporates fundamental rights and directive principles, features a strong centralizing tendency, provides for universal adult suffrage, and includes an independent judiciary with single citizenship and fundamental duties.

• Who were the members of the Constituent Assembly, and how was the Indian Constitution discussed and adopted?

  The Constituent Assembly was composed of elected members from Indian provinces and nominated members from princely states, with notable women representation. The constitution was discussed, reviewed, and adopted through committees and plenary meetings. Constitution Day in India is observed on 26th November. The Indian constitution is the lengthiest in the world and establishes a sovereign socialist secular Democratic Republic.

• How was the demand for a constitution drawn from the people of India reinforced?

  The demand was reinforced by Gandhi in 1922 and further strengthened during the Second World War. The setup of the Constituent Assembly reflected the evolving political landscape of India, with the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League having divergent views on the process of its formation and functioning.

• What were the major influences on the evolution of Indian constitutional development from 1895 to 1945?

  The evolution was influenced by various bills and reports including the Swaraj Bill, Commonwealth of India Bill, Nehru Report, and Sau Committee Report, emphasizing fundamental rights, minority rights, and communal differences. The demand for a written Declaration of Rights and a constituent assembly by the Indian National Congress in 1934 were significant factors.

• How did the British influence the development of the Indian constitutional framework?

  The British passed several acts changing the composition and functioning of Indian councils, introducing limited democratic norms, and laying the foundation for the present constitution. Acts such as the Indian Council Act 1892, Indian Council Act of 1909, Government of India Act 1919, and Government of India Act 1935 were instrumental in this process.

• What is the starting point of the story of the Constitution of India?

  The story begins with British colonial settlements, the Mughal era, and the aftermath of the Mutiny of 1857, leading to increased scrutiny and periodic enactments by the British to administer their territories in India, with the emergence of the Indian National Congress as a part of the growing national movement.

• 00:11 The story of the Constitution of India begins with British colonial settlements, the Mughal era, and the aftermath of the Mutiny of 1857, leading to increasing scrutiny and periodic enactments by the British to administer their territories in India. The Indian National Congress emerged as a part of the growing national movement.
• 04:16 The British passed several acts to change the composition and functioning of Indian councils, introducing limited democratic norms and laying the foundation for the present constitution of India. The Government of India Act 1935 was revolutionary, establishing provincial autonomy, federalism, and the Federal Court.
• 08:32 The evolution of Indian constitutional development from 1895 to 1945, influenced by various bills and reports, led to the emphasis on fundamental rights, minority rights, and communal differences, shaping the Constitution of India in 1950.
• 12:47 The demand for a constitution drawn from the people of India was reinforced by Gandhi in 1922 and further strengthened during the Second World War. The setup of the Constituent Assembly and the process leading to its formation reflected the evolving political landscape of India and the divergent views of different political entities.
• 16:54 The constituent assembly was composed of members elected from Indian provinces and nominated from princely states. It included notable women representation. The constitution was discussed, reviewed, and adopted through committees and plenary meetings. Constitution Day in India is observed on 26th November. The Indian constitution is the lengthiest in the world with fundamental rights and principles of State policy. It establishes a sovereign socialist secular Democratic Republic.
• 21:20 The Indian Constitution is based on a parliamentary form of government, incorporates fundamental rights and directive principles, has a strong centralizing tendency, provides for universal adult suffrage, and features an independent judiciary with single citizenship and fundamental duties.