Indian
Constitution: History and sources:
Indian Constitution was adopted on 26th of
November 1949, however it came into force from 26th of January 1950,
one of reason being was on 26 January 1930 Purna Swaraj was declared by Pt.
Jawaharlal Nehru in lahore (current Pakistan), subsequently in commomorance of
the day the constitution completely adopted and came into force from 26th
January of 1950. The Indian constitution is the world’s longest handwritten
constitution and originally it had 22-part, 8 schedule and 395 articles.
In the long and eventful history of India, 15 august 1947
holds immense importance. On this day the two centuries old British rule of
India ended and political authority was transferred to the representatives of
the Indian people.
Constitution of a country lays down the basic structure of
the political system under which its people are to be governed. Tough the
concept of democracy, representative institutions, and rule of law etc. were
not alien to India as the Rigveda and the Atharvaveda mentions the Sabha
(General Assembly) and the Smiti House of elders, yet we can claim that the
conventional political institutions established by Hindus in the ancient times
and later by the Muslims in medieval era do not survive in any form in present
day. However, we can trace the history of evolution of Indian constitution from
1601 when east Indian company, which had come to India as traders, received its
first charter of 1601 by the queen of England. As per the Charter 1601, the
company was given the power to make, ordain, and constitute such and so many
reasonable laws, constitution, orders and ordinances for the good governance of
the company. The legislative powers of the company were very limited in its
scope and character. Later, similar legislative powers were thus designed and
affirmed by the Charters of 1609. 1661 and later by Charter 1693, which enabled
the company to regulate its business and to maintain discipline among its
servants. The charter of 1726 had a great significance as the mayors courts
were established for the first time in India at the three Presidencies –
Calcutta, Bombay and Madras – to introduce English laws in India. But still the
British were not the ruling power in India and it was only in the later half
of 17th century, the period of gradual disintegration of Mughal
power, that the British administration of civil justice evolved after the
company was awarded the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. This led to
misadministration of Indian affairs by the company officials when amassed great
wealth and left for England leaving East India Company on verge of bankruptcy.
A secret committee was appointed by British Parliament in 1772 that exposed
several defects and lacunas in the administration of the company. Consequently,
the Parliament passed the Regulating Act of 1773 to regulate the affairs of
East India Company.
The task of framing the Constitution of India was given to
the Constituent assembly, formed under the Cabinet mission plan 1946 even
before the complete transfer of power that was affected by the Indian
Independence Act 1947. It composed of members chosen by the members of the
Provincial Legislative Assemblies through indirect election according to the
scheme recommended by the Cabinet Mission.
The arrangements were as 389 seats (93 princely states and
292 were elected through provincial legislative assemblies and 4 Chief
Commissioners Provinces). However, after partition the strength of members in
assembly was reduced to 299. First meeting of constituent assembly was on
December 9, 1946 and Sachidanand Sinha elected was the first chairman. 2nd
meeting was on December 11, 1946 in this assembly Dr. Rajender prasad was
elected as chairman.
Initially the assembly was not a sovereign body but was
subject to the final authority of the British Parliament. It was the Indian Independence
Act 1947 that triggered a complete change in its character, as it was converted
into a Sovereign body that later reassembled on 14 August 1947 to assume power
on behalf of the Government of India. Thus, the three phases of the Constituent
assembly can be describe as; first phase – as Constituent Assembly under the
Limitations of Cabinet mission plan from December to 14 August 1947; Second
Phase – as Constituent Assembly , a sovereign body and Provisional Parliament
from 15 August 1947 to 26 November 1949 and; Third Phase- as a Provisional
Parliament from 27 November 1949 to March 1952.
The Constitution is not to be interpreted as a mere law, but
as the machinery by which law as are made. The Constitution of India now
consists of: 1 the preamble 2 Parts !-XXII , covering Articles 1- 395 and; 3
Schedules 1-12 and the Appendix.
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Source of inspiration
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Feature that inspired
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Government of India Act 1935
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Federal System, Office of Governor,
Public service Commission, emergency
(however this was adopted by Germany), Judiciary and executives
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British Constitution
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Parliamentary system, Single citizenship ,
Rule of law, Bi-cameral system , cabinet and writs from Britain (although
many of inspiration were also from Indian Government act 1919)
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Ireland’s constitution
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DPSP (Directive Principal to State Policy),
Nomination of the Rajya sabha members and election of president.
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Russian Constitution
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fundamental duties and Social, Political
and Economic Justice as enumerated in preamble.
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U.S. Constitution
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Preamble, Fundamental rights (From Bill of
Rights), Free judiciary , Impeachment, vice president ex-officio chairman of
Council of state(Rajya sabha), President as Executive head and the Supreme
commander of Armed Forces, and removal of Supreme court and High Court
Judges.
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South Africa constitution
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to amend the constitution, and election of
the members of Rajya sabha
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Australian Constitution
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Joint assembly, free trade and concurrent
list
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Canada Constitution
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Federal government with strong center,
appointment of Governor, Residuary power lies with center, Advisory
jurisdiction of Supreme court.
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Germany constitution
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Suspension of Fundamental rights during
emergency.
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Japanese Constitution
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Procedure Established by law
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French Constitution
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Enumerated in preamble , Republic and the
ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity.
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