Class 12 History Chapter 15 — The Making of the Constitution
Welcome to HSLC Guru. This page provides complete ASSEB Class 12 History (Themes in Indian History – Part III) Chapter 15 question answers on “Framing the Constitution: The Beginning of a New Era”. The chapter studies the Constituent Assembly of India, its leading personalities, the great debates inside the Assembly, and the principles that shaped independent India’s founding document.
About the Chapter
This chapter explores how India, soon after a violent Partition and the trauma of independence, drafted a Constitution that gave the country a stable democratic framework. Between December 1946 and November 1949, the Constituent Assembly debated nearly every major issue facing the new nation — language, federalism, minority rights, separate electorates, the powers of the Centre, the place of tribal communities, social justice, and the balance between rights and duties. The result was the longest written constitution in the world, a document that has remained the foundation of Indian democracy.
Summary
The Constituent Assembly of India was formed in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan. It originally had 389 members, but after Partition the strength was reduced to 299. Members were elected indirectly by the provincial legislatures. The Assembly held its first session on 9 December 1946, with Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha as interim chairman. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was later elected the permanent President of the Assembly.
On 13 December 1946, Jawaharlal Nehru moved the historic Objectives Resolution, declaring India an independent sovereign republic guaranteeing justice, equality and freedom to all citizens. A Drafting Committee was set up under the chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Major debates concerned language (Hindi vs Hindustani vs regional languages), federalism and Centre–State relations, separate electorates for minorities, protection of minority and tribal rights, and the powers of the executive.
After 166 days of sittings spread over almost three years, the Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950. It contains a Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Duties (added later), and a federal structure with a strong Centre. The Constitution remains the moral and political foundation of the Indian Republic.
সাৰাংশ (Assamese Summary)
১৯৪৬ চনৰ কেবিনেট মিছন পৰিকল্পনাৰ অধীনত গঠিত হোৱা ভাৰতৰ সংবিধান সভাত প্ৰথমে ৩৮৯ গৰাকী সদস্য আছিল, কিন্তু দেশ বিভাজনৰ পিছত এই সংখ্যা ২৯৯লৈ হ্ৰাস হয়। ১৯৪৬ চনৰ ৯ ডিচেম্বৰত প্ৰথম অধিৱেশন বহিছিল, য’ত অন্তৰ্বৰ্তী সভাপতি আছিল ড৹ সচ্চিদানন্দ সিনহা আৰু পিছত স্থায়ী সভাপতি নিৰ্বাচিত হয় ড৹ ৰাজেন্দ্ৰ প্ৰসাদ। ১৩ ডিচেম্বৰ ১৯৪৬ত জৱাহৰলাল নেহৰুৱে ঐতিহাসিক উদ্দেশ্য প্ৰস্তাৱ উত্থাপন কৰে। খচৰা সমিতিৰ অধ্যক্ষ আছিল ড৹ বি. আৰ. আম্বেদকাৰ। ভাষা, যুক্তৰাষ্ট্ৰীয় ব্যৱস্থা, সংখ্যালঘুৰ অধিকাৰ আদি বিষয়ত গুৰুত্বপূৰ্ণ বিতৰ্ক হৈছিল। সংবিধান ২৬ নৱেম্বৰ ১৯৪৯ত গ্ৰহণ কৰা হয় আৰু ২৬ জানুৱাৰী ১৯৫০ত কাৰ্যকৰী হয়। ইয়াত প্ৰস্তাৱনা, মৌলিক অধিকাৰ আৰু ৰাষ্ট্ৰীয় নিৰ্দেশনামূলক নীতি অন্তৰ্ভুক্ত আছে।
NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers
1. What were the ideals expressed in the Objectives Resolution?
Answer: The Objectives Resolution, moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946, expressed the following ideals: (i) India was to be an independent sovereign republic. (ii) All power and authority would flow from the people. (iii) The territories of India would form a Union with autonomous units having residuary powers, except in matters specifically vested in the Union. (iv) Justice — social, economic and political — equality of status and opportunity, and freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship, vocation, association and action would be guaranteed to all citizens. (v) Adequate safeguards would be provided for minorities, backward and tribal areas, and depressed classes. (vi) The integrity of the territory of the Republic and its sovereign rights on land, sea and air would be maintained. (vii) The country would make full and willing contribution to world peace and welfare of humankind.
2. How was the term “minority” defined by different groups?
Answer: Different groups in the Constituent Assembly defined “minority” differently. (i) Religious minorities — Muslims, Christians, Parsis and Sikhs claimed special protection on religious grounds, including separate electorates and reserved seats. (ii) Depressed classes — leaders such as J. Nagappa argued that untouchables were a minority oppressed for centuries and needed reservation in legislatures and services. (iii) Tribal communities — Jaipal Singh demanded recognition of tribals as a separate cultural minority needing protection of land, customs and identity. (iv) Linguistic and cultural minorities claimed safeguards for their language, script and culture. After Partition, the Assembly rejected separate electorates as harmful to national unity but accepted reservation of seats and other cultural safeguards as suitable means of protecting minorities.
3. What were the arguments in favour of greater power to the provinces?
Answer: Several members argued for greater autonomy for the provinces. K. Santhanam pointed out that a strong Centre weakens the provinces and makes them dependent. He insisted that subjects such as taxation should be redistributed to give the provinces enough resources. Members from Madras and other provinces argued that local needs and cultural diversity demanded provincial autonomy. They felt that excessive centralisation could become tyrannical and undermine the true federal character of India. Some also argued that provinces had handled administration efficiently under the Government of India Act, 1935, and should retain those powers. However, leaders such as Nehru, Patel and Ambedkar held that, given Partition violence and threats to unity, a strong Centre was unavoidable.
4. Why did Mahatma Gandhi think Hindustani should be the national language?
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi believed that Hindustani — a blend of Hindi and Urdu, drawing words from Sanskrit, Persian and Arabic — should be the national language. His reasons were: (i) Hindustani was a composite language that emerged through centuries of interaction between communities and was understood by ordinary people across northern India. (ii) It would unite Hindus and Muslims and reflect India’s plural cultural heritage. (iii) It was a language of the people, not of the elite, and could become the lingua franca of a multilingual India. (iv) Promoting Hindustani would resist the divisive effort to communalise language and prevent Hindi and Urdu from being seen as exclusively Hindu and Muslim languages. After Partition, however, communal tensions made many members support Sanskritised Hindi instead.
5. What historical forces shaped the vision of the Constitution?
Answer: The vision of the Constitution was shaped by several historical forces: (i) The long nationalist movement led by the Congress, which had committed itself to democracy, secularism and social justice through resolutions such as the Karachi Resolution (1931). (ii) The experience of colonial rule and the Government of India Acts, especially that of 1935, which influenced the federal scheme and administrative structure. (iii) The trauma of Partition, which made unity and a strong Centre seem essential. (iv) The writings and speeches of leaders such as Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar, Patel and Maulana Azad. (v) International influences, especially the constitutions of the USA, Britain, Ireland and Canada, and the principles of the French and Russian revolutions. (vi) The need to address caste, gender and minority discrimination within Indian society.
6. Discuss the different arguments made in favour of protection of the depressed classes.
Answer: The protection of the depressed classes was strongly debated. (i) J. Nagappa argued that untouchables were not a numerical minority but a community oppressed for centuries; therefore they needed reservation in legislatures, services and educational institutions. (ii) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar insisted that untouchability was the result of a denial of social and economic rights, and the Constitution must abolish untouchability and ensure equality of status. (iii) Others argued that mere abolition of untouchability was not enough; affirmative action was needed to give the depressed classes a real chance to participate in public life. The Assembly finally abolished untouchability under Article 17, banned discrimination on grounds of caste under Article 15, and provided reservation in legislatures and services.
7. What connection did some of the members of the Constituent Assembly make between the political situation of the time and the need for a strong Centre?
Answer: Many members linked the need for a strong Centre to the political turmoil of the time. The horror of Partition, communal riots, the migration of millions, the integration of more than 500 princely states, fear of further fragmentation, and the threat of foreign aggression on the borders all suggested that a weak Centre could endanger national unity. Nehru argued that “now that the country has been divided, it is in the interests of India to have a strong Centre.” Patel, who handled the integration of princely states, agreed. Ambedkar said the Constitution must be both unitary and federal, leaning towards the Centre in times of crisis. Hence the Constitution gave the Centre powers over taxation, residuary subjects, emergency provisions and an All-India Services framework.
8. How did the Constituent Assembly seek to resolve the language controversy?
Answer: The language question was one of the most heated debates. Some members wanted Hindi in the Devanagari script as the sole national language; others, especially from south India, opposed this strongly. Members like R. V. Dhulekar insisted that Hindi alone should be the national language. T. T. Krishnamachari warned that imposing Hindi would alienate the south. The Assembly finally adopted a compromise known as the Munshi-Ayyangar formula: (i) Hindi in Devanagari script was declared the official language of the Union, not the “national” language. (ii) English would continue as an associate official language for 15 years (later extended). (iii) The Eighth Schedule recognised several regional languages. (iv) The states were free to choose their own official languages. This compromise prevented a north–south rupture and accommodated India’s linguistic diversity.
Short Answer Questions
Q1. When was the Constituent Assembly of India formed?
Answer: The Constituent Assembly of India was formed in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan. Its first session was held on 9 December 1946.
Q2. Who was the interim chairman of the Constituent Assembly?
Answer: Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the interim chairman of the Constituent Assembly, presiding over its first session on 9 December 1946.
Q3. Who was the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly?
Answer: Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly on 11 December 1946.
Q4. Who was the chairman of the Drafting Committee?
Answer: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was the chairman of the seven-member Drafting Committee, often called the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
Q5. When was the Indian Constitution adopted and enforced?
Answer: The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950, which is celebrated as Republic Day.
Q6. What was the original strength of the Constituent Assembly?
Answer: The original strength was 389 members. After Partition, the membership was reduced to 299, of whom 229 represented the provinces and 70 the princely states.
Q7. What was the Objectives Resolution?
Answer: The Objectives Resolution was a historic resolution moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946. It declared India a sovereign republic guaranteeing justice, equality, freedom and minority safeguards. It later became the basis of the Preamble to the Constitution.
Q8. Name any four members of the Drafting Committee.
Answer: The Drafting Committee included Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Chairman), Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar, K. M. Munshi, N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, B. L. Mitter (later replaced by N. Madhava Rau), Sir Syed Mohammad Saadulla and D. P. Khaitan (later replaced by T. T. Krishnamachari).
Q9. What is meant by “separate electorates”?
Answer: Separate electorates meant that members of a particular religious community could vote only for candidates of their own community. The Constituent Assembly rejected separate electorates as divisive and chose reservation of seats within a common electorate instead.
Q10. What did Jaipal Singh demand for tribal communities?
Answer: Jaipal Singh, leader of the Adivasis, demanded recognition of tribals as a special minority and protection of their land, customs, languages and culture. He argued that tribals had been exploited and dispossessed and now needed positive protection from the State.
Q11. Why was the Munshi-Ayyangar formula adopted?
Answer: The Munshi-Ayyangar formula was adopted as a compromise on the language question. It declared Hindi in Devanagari script the official language of the Union but allowed the continuation of English for fifteen years and recognised regional languages.
Q12. What is the Preamble of the Constitution?
Answer: The Preamble is the introductory statement of the Constitution. It declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic and promises justice, liberty, equality and fraternity to all its citizens. It is based on the Objectives Resolution.
Long Answer Questions
Q1. Discuss the composition and working of the Constituent Assembly of India.
Answer: The Constituent Assembly of India was formed under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946. Its members were elected indirectly by the provincial legislative assemblies. The original strength was 389; after Partition, the strength fell to 299. The Assembly held its first sitting on 9 December 1946 in the Constitution Hall (now the Central Hall of Parliament). Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the interim chairman, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was later elected as the permanent President. Most decisions were taken by consensus rather than by vote. Major committees were set up — the Union Powers Committee, Union Constitution Committee, Provincial Constitution Committee, Drafting Committee under Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, and the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights chaired by Sardar Patel. The Assembly worked for almost three years, sat for 166 days, and finally adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949. Although members of the Congress dominated, eminent jurists, women, minorities, princely state representatives and members of various ideologies took part. Through extensive debate, careful drafting and skilful compromise, the Assembly produced the longest and most detailed written constitution of the world.
Q2. Examine the major debates that took place inside the Constituent Assembly.
Answer: The Constituent Assembly witnessed several major debates. (i) Language debate — Hindi vs Hindustani vs regional languages, finally settled by the Munshi-Ayyangar compromise making Hindi the official language with English continuing for fifteen years. (ii) Federalism vs Centre’s power — given Partition and integration challenges, the Assembly chose a strong Centre with federal features. (iii) Minority rights and separate electorates — separate electorates were rejected; instead, reservation of seats for SCs/STs and cultural safeguards were granted. (iv) Untouchability and depressed classes — Dr. Ambedkar and J. Nagappa pushed for abolition of untouchability and reservation. (v) Tribal rights — Jaipal Singh demanded protection of tribal land, identity and culture, leading to the Fifth and Sixth Schedules. (vi) Princely states — discussions on integration, residuary powers, and abolition of titles. (vii) Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles — balance between justiciable and non-justiciable rights. (viii) Women’s rights — equality of status, prohibition of discrimination based on sex. The debates reflected the diversity of Indian society and the genius of the framers in reaching workable compromises.
Q3. Describe the role of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in the framing of the Constitution.
Answer: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar played a central role in framing the Constitution. He was elected from Bengal to the Constituent Assembly and, after some reorganisation, from Bombay. As Chairman of the Drafting Committee, he had the heaviest responsibility of putting the ideas of the Assembly into legal form. He worked even when fellow committee members were absent or ill, and personally defended every clause on the floor of the Assembly. Ambedkar argued for: (i) abolition of untouchability and equal civil rights; (ii) a strong Centre to hold the country together; (iii) constitutional protection for minorities and depressed classes; (iv) Fundamental Rights as the basis of social democracy; and (v) Directive Principles to guide the State towards economic justice. He famously warned that political democracy without social and economic democracy would be in peril. For his immense contribution, Dr. Ambedkar is rightly called the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
Q4. Explain the salient features of the Indian Constitution.
Answer: The salient features of the Constitution are: (i) Lengthiest written constitution in the world. (ii) Sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic as declared in the Preamble. (iii) Federal structure with a unitary bias — strong Centre with emergency powers. (iv) Parliamentary form of government at both the Centre and States. (v) Universal adult franchise — every citizen above 18 years has the right to vote. (vi) Fundamental Rights guaranteeing freedom, equality, religion, culture and constitutional remedies. (vii) Directive Principles of State Policy guiding the State towards social and economic justice. (viii) Independent judiciary with judicial review. (ix) Single citizenship. (x) Secularism — equal respect for all religions. (xi) Special provisions for SCs, STs and minorities. (xii) Amendment procedure combining flexibility and rigidity. These features together make the Constitution a charter of democracy, justice and unity.
Q5. Why did the Constituent Assembly choose a strong Centre? Discuss.
Answer: The Constituent Assembly chose a strong Centre for several compelling reasons. (i) The trauma of Partition with massive violence and migration showed that any further fragmentation could be catastrophic. (ii) The integration of more than 500 princely states required strong central authority. (iii) The economic backwardness of the country needed central planning, allocation of resources and coordinated development. (iv) The communal tensions and law-and-order challenges needed strong central instruments. (v) The defence and foreign policy of a newly independent India had to be unified. (vi) Past experience under the Government of India Act, 1935, had shown the limits of provincial autonomy. Although members like K. Santhanam and others argued for greater provincial powers, the dominant view, expressed by Nehru, Patel and Ambedkar, prevailed. The Centre was given residuary powers, emergency provisions, control of All-India Services and overriding powers in fiscal and legislative spheres, while a federal framework with autonomous states was preserved.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. The Constituent Assembly of India was formed under the:
(a) Mountbatten Plan
(b) Cabinet Mission Plan
(c) Cripps Mission
(d) Wavell Plan
Answer: (b) Cabinet Mission Plan
2. The first session of the Constituent Assembly was held on:
(a) 9 December 1946
(b) 26 November 1949
(c) 26 January 1950
(d) 15 August 1947
Answer: (a) 9 December 1946
3. The interim chairman of the Constituent Assembly was:
(a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
(d) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
Answer: (c) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha
4. The permanent President of the Constituent Assembly was:
(a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(b) Sardar Patel
(c) Maulana Azad
(d) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
Answer: (a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
5. The Objectives Resolution was moved by:
(a) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Sardar Patel
(d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Answer: (b) Jawaharlal Nehru
6. The Objectives Resolution was moved on:
(a) 9 December 1946
(b) 13 December 1946
(c) 22 January 1947
(d) 26 November 1949
Answer: (b) 13 December 1946
7. The chairman of the Drafting Committee was:
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Sardar Patel
(c) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
(d) K. M. Munshi
Answer: (c) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
8. The Indian Constitution was adopted on:
(a) 15 August 1947
(b) 26 November 1949
(c) 26 January 1950
(d) 13 December 1946
Answer: (b) 26 November 1949
9. The Constitution of India came into force on:
(a) 15 August 1947
(b) 26 January 1950
(c) 26 November 1949
(d) 2 October 1950
Answer: (b) 26 January 1950
10. The original strength of the Constituent Assembly was:
(a) 299
(b) 389
(c) 545
(d) 250
Answer: (b) 389
11. After Partition, the strength of the Constituent Assembly became:
(a) 299
(b) 389
(c) 270
(d) 350
Answer: (a) 299
12. Members of the Constituent Assembly were:
(a) Directly elected by the people
(b) Indirectly elected by provincial assemblies
(c) Nominated by the British
(d) Selected by the Congress
Answer: (b) Indirectly elected by provincial assemblies
13. The Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights was chaired by:
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(c) Dr. Ambedkar
(d) Maulana Azad
Answer: (b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
14. The leader who spoke for tribal rights in the Assembly was:
(a) Jaipal Singh
(b) J. Nagappa
(c) R. V. Dhulekar
(d) Frank Anthony
Answer: (a) Jaipal Singh
15. Hindi in Devanagari script was declared the:
(a) National language
(b) Official language of the Union
(c) Sole language
(d) Regional language
Answer: (b) Official language of the Union
16. Mahatma Gandhi favoured which language as the national language?
(a) Sanskritised Hindi
(b) Urdu
(c) Hindustani
(d) English
Answer: (c) Hindustani
17. The Drafting Committee had how many members?
(a) Five
(b) Six
(c) Seven
(d) Nine
Answer: (c) Seven
18. Article 17 of the Constitution deals with:
(a) Right to property
(b) Right to equality
(c) Abolition of untouchability
(d) Right to freedom
Answer: (c) Abolition of untouchability
19. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution is based on the:
(a) Government of India Act, 1935
(b) Objectives Resolution
(c) Cripps Proposal
(d) Cabinet Mission Plan
Answer: (b) Objectives Resolution
20. The Constituent Assembly took how long to complete the Constitution?
(a) 1 year, 6 months and 11 days
(b) 2 years, 11 months and 18 days
(c) 3 years, 6 months and 12 days
(d) 4 years, 7 months and 23 days
Answer: (b) 2 years, 11 months and 18 days
21. Who is called the chief architect of the Indian Constitution?
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(c) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
(d) Sardar Patel
Answer: (c) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
22. The Constitution declared India a:
(a) Monarchy
(b) Sovereign democratic republic
(c) Confederation
(d) Theocracy
Answer: (b) Sovereign democratic republic
23. Reservation of seats for SCs and STs was provided in:
(a) Common electorates
(b) Separate electorates
(c) Limited franchise
(d) Nominated seats only
Answer: (a) Common electorates
24. The total number of sittings of the Constituent Assembly was:
(a) 100
(b) 166
(c) 200
(d) 250
Answer: (b) 166
25. Who said: “Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy”?
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
(d) Sardar Patel
Answer: (c) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1946 (March) | Cabinet Mission arrives in India |
| July 1946 | Elections to the Constituent Assembly |
| 9 December 1946 | First session of the Constituent Assembly; Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha as interim chairman |
| 11 December 1946 | Dr. Rajendra Prasad elected permanent President |
| 13 December 1946 | Nehru moves the Objectives Resolution |
| 22 January 1947 | Objectives Resolution adopted |
| 15 August 1947 | India becomes independent |
| 29 August 1947 | Drafting Committee formed under Dr. B. R. Ambedkar |
| 4 November 1948 | Draft Constitution introduced |
| 26 November 1949 | Constitution adopted (Constitution Day) |
| 26 January 1950 | Constitution comes into force (Republic Day) |
Key Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Constituent Assembly | The body of representatives that drafted India’s Constitution between 1946 and 1949 |
| Cabinet Mission Plan | British plan of 1946 that proposed the creation of the Constituent Assembly |
| Objectives Resolution | Resolution moved by Nehru on 13 December 1946 outlining the ideals of the Constitution |
| Drafting Committee | Seven-member committee chaired by Dr. Ambedkar that prepared the Draft Constitution |
| Preamble | The introductory statement of the Constitution stating its objectives and ideals |
| Fundamental Rights | Basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution to all citizens — Articles 12 to 35 |
| Directive Principles | Non-justiciable guidelines to the State for promoting social and economic welfare |
| Federalism | System dividing powers between the Central and State governments |
| Separate Electorates | Voting system where members of a community vote only for candidates of their own community |
| Reservation of Seats | Set-aside seats in legislatures for SCs, STs and other groups within a common electorate |
| Munshi-Ayyangar Formula | Compromise on language declaring Hindi the official language while retaining English |
| Republic | A state in which the head of government is elected, not hereditary |
| Sovereignty | Supreme authority of a state to govern itself without external control |
| Secularism | The State’s equal respect for and non-interference in all religions |
| Universal Adult Franchise | Right of every adult citizen to vote, irrespective of caste, creed, gender or wealth |