Challenges for the New Nation
- The first speech of the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru at the hour of midnight on 14-15 August 1947 was known as famous “tryst with destiny” speech while addressing a special session of the Constituent Assembly.
- India became independent in August 1947 immediately after independence, there were three challenges in nation building: –
- The first and the immediate challenge was to shape nation that was united, yet accommodative of the diversity existing in the society and eradication of poverty and unemployment.
- The second challenge was to establish democracy.
- The third challenge was to ensure the development and well-being of the entire society and not only of some sections.
Major goals of our national movement
- After Independence a democratic govt should be formed in the country.
- The government should function for the welfare of all sections of the Society.
Partition: Displacement and Rehabilitation
- On partition of India, two nation theory was propounded by Muhammad Ali Jinnah to create a separate state for Muslims, resulted in Partition as India and Pakistan giving birth to many difficulties.
- On 14th to 15th August, 1947, two nation-states India and Pakistan came into existence. Lakhs of people from both sides lost their homes, lives and properties and became victim of communal violence.
- On the basis of Muslim majority belt West and East Pakistan was created which were separated by a long expanse of Indian Territory.
- Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan also known as ‘Frontier Gandhi’ was the undisputed leader of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP). Despite his opposition NWFP was merged with Pakistan.
- The portion of Punjab and Bengal caused the deepest trauma of partition.
Process of Partition
- The decision to divide India into two nations was painful.
- It was based on the principle of religious majorities.
- It means that places where muslims were in majority would make up the territory of Pak, the remaining portion would constitute the territory of India. But it created several problems. Mainly there were four problems: –
- There was no single belt of Muslim majority areas in the British India.
- Not all Muslim majority areas wanted to be in Pak.
- The two Muslim majority provinces – punjab and Bengal had very large areas, where non- muslims were a majority.
- There was the problem of minorities on the both sides of the border
Consequences of Partition
- The year 1947 was the year of one of the largest, most abrupt, unplanned and tragic transfer of population of human history as known.
- Amritsar and Kolkata became divided into ‘communal zones’.
- Minorities on both sides of the border fled their home and secured temporary’ shelter in ‘refugee camps’.
- Women were often abducted, raped, attacked and killed. They were forcefully converted to other religion.
- Political and administrative machinery failed on both sides.
- There was huge loss of lives and property. Communal violence was on its culmination.
Integration of Princely States
- There were two types of provinces in British India—The British Indian Provinces (directly under the control of the British Government) and Princely states (governed by Indian princes).
- Immediately after independence there were almost 565 princely states. Many of them joined Indian Union.
- Travancore, Hyderabad, Kashmir and Manipur initially refused to join Indian Union.
Government’s Approach
- The then interim government took a firm step against the possible division of India into small principalities of different sizes.
- The government’s approach was based on three considerations i.e. will of integration of people of princely states, a flexible approach to accommodate plurality and demands of region and concern about integrity of India with peaceful negotiations in a firm diplomatic manner by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Only four states’ accession was difficult i.e. Junagarh, Hyderabad, Kashmir and Manipur.
- The government’s approach was guided by three considerations: –
- The people of most of the princely states clearly wanted to become part of the Indian Union.
- The government was prepared to be flexible in giving autonomy to some regions.
- Consolidation of the territorial boundaries of the nation had assumed supreme importance.
Instrument of Accession
- The rulers of the most of the states signed a document called the ‘Instrument of Accession’ but accession of the Junagarh, Hyderabad, Kashmir and Manipur proved more difficult than the rest.
- Hyderabad was the largest princely state under the rule of Nizam who was not argued to be integrated. But the society protested against the rule of Nizam. The central government had to interfere against Razakars and in September 1948. Nizam’s forces were controlled with the accession of Hyderabad. After initial resistance, in September 1948, Hyderabad was merged with Indian Union, by a military operation.
- Bodhachandra Singh, Maharaja of Manipur, made it a constitutional monarchy and became first state to hold elections under Universal Adult Franchises. But on sharp differences over merger of Manipur, the government of India pressurized Maharaja into signing an agreement in September 1949.
Reorganization of States
- During national movement Indian National Congress recognized the demand of state reorganization on linguistic basis.
- After Independence, this idea was postponed because the memory of partition was still fresh and the fate of the Princely states had not been decided.
- After a long movement, in December 1952 Andhra Pradesh was created on linguistic basis.
- Creation of this state gave impetus to reorganize states on linguistic basis. As a result, Government of India appointed States Reorganization Commission in 1953.
- This commission accepted that the boundaries of the state should reflect the boundaries of different languages.
- On the basis of its report the States Reorganization Act was passed in 1956. This led to the creation of 14 States and 6 Union Territories.
Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel and National Integration
- The first deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India, Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel, emerged as a major leader of the freedom movement after the Kheda Satyagraha (1918) and the Bardoli Satyagraha (1928).
- At the time of independence, the problem of integration of princely states was a big challenge for the national unity and integrity of India.
- Under such difficult times, Sardar Patel undertook the daunting tasks of uniting all 565 princely states of India.
- Known as an ‘Iron Man’ of India, Patel’s approach to the question of the merger of princely states into independent India was very clear.
- He was not in favour of any compromise with the territorial integrity of India.
- By his political experience, diplomatic prowess and foresightedness, out of India’s 565 princely states many had already given their consent to merge with India even before achieving the independence.
- Sardar Patel faced key challenges of integration from three states, viz., Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir.
- It was under his leadership that Indian forces compelled Hyderabad and Junagarh to merge with India. Keeping well-versed with Pakistan’s intentions from Jinnah’s divisive ‘Two Nation Theory’, Sardar Patel’s opinion on Kashmir was different from other leaders.
- Like Hyderabad, he also wanted Kashmir’s integration with India through military operations.
- But due to political decisions of some prominent leaders, Sardar could not succeed in integrating Kashmir fully with India which later turned into a major historical blunder for the country.
- However, Sardar will always remain as an astounding leader who combined in himself the features of a true ‘Nationalist’, ‘Catalyst’ and ‘Realist’ – popularly characterized as NCR in Indian political history.
WORDS THAT MATTER
- Two Nations Theory: – It was propounded by Muhammad Ali Jinnah to create a separate state for Muslims.
- British Indian Provinces: – The Indian provinces which were directly under the British government before independence.
- Princely States: – States ruled by Princes who enjoyed some form of control over their state’s internal affairs under the British supremacy.
- Razakars: – A para-military force of Nizam was sent to respond people’s movement which had no bounds.
- Nizam: – Ruler of Hyderabad was titled as Nizam who was world’s richest person.
- State Reorganization Commission: – It was appointed in 1953 to look into the matter to redraw the boundaries of states.
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