Indian Independence to 1964

Establishment of a Parliamentary, Secular, Democratic Republic

The 1950 Constitution

1. Drafting of the Constitution:
   • The Constituent Assembly of India, established in 1946, was responsible for drafting the Constitution.
   • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar served as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
   • The Constitution was adopted on January 26, 1950, making India a sovereign, secular, democratic republic.
2. Key Features:
   • Parliamentary System: India adopted a parliamentary system of government, with the President as the ceremonial head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government.
   • Federal Structure: A federal system with a clear division of powers between the central and state governments.
   • Fundamental Rights: Guaranteed civil liberties and rights to all citizens, including the right to equality, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion.
   • Secularism: Ensured equal treatment of all religions by the state.
   • Directive Principles of State Policy: Guidelines for the government to achieve social and economic democracy.

Jawaharlal Nehru’s Vision of a Developed, Socialist Society

Planning and State-Controlled Industrialization

1. Five-Year Plans:
   • First Five-Year Plan (1951-1956): Focused on agriculture, irrigation, and energy. Aimed at improving food production and addressing the immediate needs of the population.
   • Second Five-Year Plan (1956-1961): Focused on industrialization, particularly heavy industries and infrastructure. Influenced by the Soviet model of economic development.
   • Third Five-Year Plan (1961-1966): Continued the emphasis on industrialization but faced challenges due to the Sino-Indian War and economic constraints.
2. State-Controlled Industrialization:
   • Establishment of public sector enterprises in key industries like steel, coal, and energy.
   • Creation of institutions like the Planning Commission to oversee economic development.

Agrarian Reforms

1. Abolition of Zamindari System:
   • Land reforms aimed at dismantling the zamindari system (landlordism) and redistributing land to tenant farmers and the landless.
   • Ensured land rights for actual cultivators.
2. Land Ceiling Acts:
   • Imposed limits on land ownership to prevent concentration of land in the hands of a few and redistribute surplus land to the landless and marginal farmers.

Foreign Policy of Non-Alignment

1. Principles of Non-Alignment:
   • Nehru advocated for a foreign policy of non-alignment, which meant not aligning India with any major power blocs (the US-led Western bloc or the Soviet-led Eastern bloc) during the Cold War.
   • Emphasized independent foreign policy decisions based on national interest and peaceful coexistence.
2. Role in International Affairs:
   • India was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which held its first conference in Belgrade in 1961.
   • Advocated for decolonization, disarmament, and peaceful resolution of conflicts on the international stage.

Border Conflict with China and Chinese Aggression

1. Sino-Indian Border Dispute:
   • Dispute over the Aksai Chin region (administered by China but claimed by India) and Arunachal Pradesh (administered by India but claimed by China).
   • Tensions escalated in the late 1950s over the construction of a road by China in Aksai Chin.
2. Chinese Aggression and the 1962 War:
   • In October 1962, China launched a military offensive along the disputed border areas.
   • The conflict resulted in significant territorial losses for India in Aksai Chin.
   • The war exposed India's unpreparedness for high-altitude warfare and led to a re-evaluation of defense policies.
3. Aftermath and Impact:
   • The war caused a significant blow to Nehru's image and India's strategic position in Asia.
   • Led to increased defense spending and efforts to modernize the military.
   • Highlighted the need for better infrastructure and intelligence along India's northern borders.