The Indian Constitution, established on 26 January 1950, is recognised as the longest written constitution in the world. This might seem unusual, but when understood in the context of India’s vast size, diversity, and history of divisions, it becomes clearer why such a detailed document was needed.

Historical Context

At the time of its independence in 1947, India wasn’t just a large nation; it was an intricate patchwork of cultures, languages, religions, and social hierarchies. It was divided along multiple fronts: by colonial oppression, religious tensions, and caste dynamics.

Purpose Of The Constitution

Given these divisions, the Constitution aimed to unify and guide the country. Its objectives were:

To mend historical and contemporary grievances.

To unite Indians across different classes, castes, and communities under a collective national identity.

To promote democracy in a society that had historically been marked by strong hierarchies and power imbalances.