Evolution of the Indian Constitution

Evolution of the Indian Constitution

• Gandhi's 1922 declaration, calling for self-rule ('Swaraj'), is viewed as the start of the Indian Constitution's development
• The 1928 Nehru report and all-parties conference outlined fundamental rights
• The Government of India Act of 1935 was a significant step, providing some rights and serving as a direct source for the Constitution
• The 1942 Cripps Mission proposed independence after WWII. Indian political parties rejected it, leading to the mission's failure
• The Quit India movement of 1942, along with other events, pushed for immediate independence
• The 1946 Cabinet Mission was formed to recommend transfer of power from British to India
• Elections for a constituent assembly were held in 1946
• Disagreements between the INC and Muslim League over the assembly's composition prompted Lord Mountbatten's intervention

Mountbatten's Plan (1947)

• Lord Mountbatten proposed a plan to resolve the constituent assembly issue, suggesting partition of British India into India and Pakistan
• The plan included the division of Punjab and Bengal, and creation of separate constituent assemblies for each new nation.
• The partition of British India based on communal lines resulted in India and Pakistan
• The Indian Independence Act of 1947 officially recognized India's independence
• India gained independence on August 15, 1947, marking the end of 200 years of British rule

Drafting the Constitution

• The constituent assembly members met in 1948 to draft India's constitution
• The drafting committee presented the draft to the assembly, setting up the process to become law.

Explore the significant milestones in the evolution of the Indian Constitution, from Gandhi's 1922 call for self-rule to the pivotal Mountbatten Plan in 1947. This quiz covers key events, documents, and movements that shaped India's constitutional framework. Test your understanding of this critical period in Indian history.