PPT: Framing the Constitution | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


FRAMING THE 
CONSTITUTION
THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA
Page 2


FRAMING THE 
CONSTITUTION
THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA
The Indian Constitution
Longest Constitution
The Indian Constitution came into 
effect on 26 January 1950 and has 
the distinction of being the longest in 
the world.
Carefully Crafted
Its length and complexity were 
necessary to keep the large and 
diverse country together and take it 
forward after independence.
Healing Divisions
It sought to heal wounds of the past 
and bring Indians of different classes, 
castes and communities together in a 
shared political experiment.
The Constitution was framed between December 1946 and November 1949. The Constituent Assembly held eleven sessions 
over 165 days, with drafts revised by various committees in between. It aimed to nurture democratic institutions in what had 
long been a culture of hierarchy and deference.
Page 3


FRAMING THE 
CONSTITUTION
THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA
The Indian Constitution
Longest Constitution
The Indian Constitution came into 
effect on 26 January 1950 and has 
the distinction of being the longest in 
the world.
Carefully Crafted
Its length and complexity were 
necessary to keep the large and 
diverse country together and take it 
forward after independence.
Healing Divisions
It sought to heal wounds of the past 
and bring Indians of different classes, 
castes and communities together in a 
shared political experiment.
The Constitution was framed between December 1946 and November 1949. The Constituent Assembly held eleven sessions 
over 165 days, with drafts revised by various committees in between. It aimed to nurture democratic institutions in what had 
long been a culture of hierarchy and deference.
A Tumultuous Time
1
Independence and Partition
India gained independence on 15 August 1947, but was also 
partitioned. This led to widespread violence and displacement.
2
Popular Movements
The Quit India movement of 1942 and naval ratings' uprising of 
1946 were fresh in memory. There were also periodic protests 
by workers and peasants.
3
Communal Violence
The Great Calcutta Killings of August 1946 began a year of 
almost continuous rioting across northern and eastern India.
4
Refugee Crisis
Millions of refugees moved between India and Pakistan, with 
many perishing during the journey.
This tumultuous backdrop influenced the debates in the Constituent Assembly 
as they framed the Constitution for independent India.
Page 4


FRAMING THE 
CONSTITUTION
THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA
The Indian Constitution
Longest Constitution
The Indian Constitution came into 
effect on 26 January 1950 and has 
the distinction of being the longest in 
the world.
Carefully Crafted
Its length and complexity were 
necessary to keep the large and 
diverse country together and take it 
forward after independence.
Healing Divisions
It sought to heal wounds of the past 
and bring Indians of different classes, 
castes and communities together in a 
shared political experiment.
The Constitution was framed between December 1946 and November 1949. The Constituent Assembly held eleven sessions 
over 165 days, with drafts revised by various committees in between. It aimed to nurture democratic institutions in what had 
long been a culture of hierarchy and deference.
A Tumultuous Time
1
Independence and Partition
India gained independence on 15 August 1947, but was also 
partitioned. This led to widespread violence and displacement.
2
Popular Movements
The Quit India movement of 1942 and naval ratings' uprising of 
1946 were fresh in memory. There were also periodic protests 
by workers and peasants.
3
Communal Violence
The Great Calcutta Killings of August 1946 began a year of 
almost continuous rioting across northern and eastern India.
4
Refugee Crisis
Millions of refugees moved between India and Pakistan, with 
many perishing during the journey.
This tumultuous backdrop influenced the debates in the Constituent Assembly 
as they framed the Constitution for independent India.
The Making of the 
Constituent 
Assembly
1
Election Process
Members were not elected by universal franchise. Provincial 
legislatures chose representatives after elections in 1945-
46.
2
Congress Dominance
The Congress party won most general seats and dominated 
the Assembly, with 82% of members belonging to Congress.
3
Diverse Voices
Congress members had differing views on critical issues, 
from socialism to landlordism, communalism to secularism.
4
Public Participation
Debates were reported in newspapers and proposals 
publicly discussed. The public was asked to send in views.
Page 5


FRAMING THE 
CONSTITUTION
THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA
The Indian Constitution
Longest Constitution
The Indian Constitution came into 
effect on 26 January 1950 and has 
the distinction of being the longest in 
the world.
Carefully Crafted
Its length and complexity were 
necessary to keep the large and 
diverse country together and take it 
forward after independence.
Healing Divisions
It sought to heal wounds of the past 
and bring Indians of different classes, 
castes and communities together in a 
shared political experiment.
The Constitution was framed between December 1946 and November 1949. The Constituent Assembly held eleven sessions 
over 165 days, with drafts revised by various committees in between. It aimed to nurture democratic institutions in what had 
long been a culture of hierarchy and deference.
A Tumultuous Time
1
Independence and Partition
India gained independence on 15 August 1947, but was also 
partitioned. This led to widespread violence and displacement.
2
Popular Movements
The Quit India movement of 1942 and naval ratings' uprising of 
1946 were fresh in memory. There were also periodic protests 
by workers and peasants.
3
Communal Violence
The Great Calcutta Killings of August 1946 began a year of 
almost continuous rioting across northern and eastern India.
4
Refugee Crisis
Millions of refugees moved between India and Pakistan, with 
many perishing during the journey.
This tumultuous backdrop influenced the debates in the Constituent Assembly 
as they framed the Constitution for independent India.
The Making of the 
Constituent 
Assembly
1
Election Process
Members were not elected by universal franchise. Provincial 
legislatures chose representatives after elections in 1945-
46.
2
Congress Dominance
The Congress party won most general seats and dominated 
the Assembly, with 82% of members belonging to Congress.
3
Diverse Voices
Congress members had differing views on critical issues, 
from socialism to landlordism, communalism to secularism.
4
Public Participation
Debates were reported in newspapers and proposals 
publicly discussed. The public was asked to send in views.
The Dominant Voices
Jawaharlal 
Nehru
Moved crucial 
resolutions 
including the 
"Objectives 
Resolution" and 
proposal for the 
National Flag.
Vallabh Bhai 
Patel
Worked behind the 
scenes, playing a 
key role in drafting 
reports and 
reconciling 
opposing views.
B.R. 
Ambedkar
Served as Chairman 
of the Drafting 
Committee, guiding 
the Draft 
Constitution 
through the 
Assembly.
Civil 
Servants
B.N. Rau as 
Constitutional 
Advisor and S.N. 
Mukherjee as Chief 
Draughtsman 
provided vital 
assistance.
These key figures, along with others like Rajendra Prasad, K.M. 
Munshi and Alladi Krishnaswamy Aiyar, played crucial roles in 
shaping the Constitution through intense debates over three years.