Chapter - 12 History India After Independence: A Constitution Is Written

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Chapter – 12 History
India After Independence
• After Independence, India faced a series of very great challenges.

• The problems of refugees and of the princely states had to be addressed immediately.
• The new nation had to adopt a political system that would best serve the hopes and
expectations of its population.
• India’s population in 1947 was large and was divided. Division between high castes and low
castes, between majority Hindu community and Indians who practiced other faiths could be
seen.
• Famers and peasants were dependent on the monsoon for their survival.
• A constitution is Written:
(i) The meetings of ‘Constituent Assembly’ were held in New Delhi and representatives
from all parts of India attended the meeting. These discussions resulted in the framing
of the Indian Constitution, which came into effect on 26 January 1950.
(ii) One feature of the constitution was its adoption of Universal Adult Franchise. All
Indians above the age of 21 would be allowed to vote in state and national elections.
(iii) The constitution guaranteed equality before the law to all citizens, regardless of their
caste or religious affiliation. This was Constitution’s second feature.
(iv) The third feature of the Constitution was that it offered special privileges for the
poorest and the most disadvantaged of Indians.
(v) The practice of untouchability was abolished. The Hindu temples were thrown open
to people of all castes.
(vi) Along with the former Untouchables, the adivasis or Scheduled Tribes were also
granted reservation in seats and jobs.
(vii) The constitution sought to strike a balance of power, between centre and states by
providing three lists of subjects which are Union list, State list and Concurrent list.
(viii) The Union list has subjects like taxes, defence and foreign affairs which are the
responsibility of the Centres.
(ix) The State list has subjects like education and health, which would be taken care of
principally by the state.
(x) The Concurrent list comprises of forests, agriculture, etc. in which the centre and the
states would have joint responsibility.
(xi) Hindi was designated as the ‘Official language’ of India and English would be used in
the courts, the services and communications between one state and another.
(xii) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who was the Chairman of the drafting committee and under whose
supervision the document was finalized played an important role in framing the
Indian Constitution.
• How Were States to be Formed:
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(i) In 1920s the Indian National Congress amended its constitution and reorganized its
regional branches on the basis of linguistic groups.
(ii) Prime Minister Nehru and Deputy Prime Minister Vallabhbhai Patel were against the
creation of linguistic states.
(iii) In October 1952, a veteran Gandhian named Potti Sriramulu went on a hunger strike
demanding the formation of Andhra Pradesh to protect the interests of Telegu
speaking people.
(iv) On 15 December 1952, fifty eight days into his fast, Potti Sriramual died. His death led
to violence all over the state and central government was forced to give in to the
demand.
(v) On 1 October 1953, the new state of Andhra Pradesh was created.
• Planning for Development:
(i) Among the major objectives of the new nation, lifting India and Indians out of poverty
and building a modern technical and industrial base were very strong.
(ii) In 1950, the government set up a Planning Commission to help design and execute
suitable policies for economic development. It was agreed that India would follow
‘Mixed Economy’ model where both public and private sectors would co-exist for the
economic development of the nation.
(iii) In 1956, the second five year plan was formulated which focused mainly on the
development of heavy industries in India such as steel, and on the building of large
dams.
• The Nation, Sixty Year On:
(i) On 15 August 2007, India celebrated sixty years of its existence as a free nation.
(ii) In these sixty years India, has seen many achievements as well as failures.
(iii) Success during 60 years of India were-India is still a united and a democratic country;
There is unity in diversity; There is a free press and an independent judiciary.
(iv) Failures during 60 years of India-Deep divisions persist; Despite constitutional
guarantees, the untouchables or the Dalits face violence and discrimination; there are
Clashes between different religious groups in many states; The gulf between the rich
and poor has widened over these years.
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• After Independence, India faced a series of very great challenges.

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