YUNOVA · Indian History
Module 12: India after independence
Integration of the princely states
Key points
- At independence there were over 560 princely states.
- Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon persuaded most rulers to sign the Instrument of Accession.
- Junagadh, Hyderabad and Kashmir joined after disputes, Hyderabad through Operation Polo (1948).
Making of the Indian Constitution
Key points
- The Constituent Assembly first met on 9 December 1946.
- B.R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee.
- The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950.
Linguistic reorganisation of states
Key points
- Andhra State was formed in 1953 after Potti Sriramulu's fast and death.
- The States Reorganisation Commission led to the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
- Bombay State was split into Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1960.
India foreign policy and wars 1947-1971
Key points
- Nehru's foreign policy was built on non-alignment.
- India fought Pakistan in 1947-48 and 1965, and China in 1962.
- The 1971 war led to the creation of Bangladesh.