NCERT Book Class 12 History Chapter 12 Framing and the Constitution

THEME
Framing the Constitution
The Beginning of a N
Nee w Er
Eraa
TWELVE

The Indian Constitution, which came into effect on 26 January 1950,
has the dubious distinction of being the longest in the world. But
its length and complexity are perhaps understandable when one
considers the country’s size and diversity. At Independence, India
was not merely large and diverse, but also deeply divided.
A Constitution designed to keep the country together, and to take it
forward, had necessarily to be an elaborate, carefully-worked-out,
and painstakingly drafted document. For one thing, it sought to
heal wounds of the past and the present, to make Indians of different
classes, castes and communities come together in a shared political
experiment. For another, it sought to nurture democratic institutions
in what had long been a culture of hierarchy and deference.
The Constitution of India was framed between December 1946
and November 1949. During this time its drafts were discussed clause
by clause in the Constituent Assembly of India. In all, the Assembly

Fig. 15.2
Images of
desolation
and
destruction
continued to
haunt
members of
the
Constituent
Assembly.

Fig. 12.1
The Constitution was signed in December 1949 after three years of debate.