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India After Independence

After the Independence, in 1947, the most
immediate and important tasks before the Indian
leaders were the drafting of the constitution and
the integration of Indian states into the Indian
union. They had also been vested with the
responsibility of making India economically
sound and scientifically modern. In the long-term
perspective, the most challenging tasks ahead
have been the removal poverty and the progress
of education among the masses for which the
successive governments continue to take neces- Migrated people from Pakistan to India
sary steps. shortage of raw materials as jute and cotton
INTEGRATION OF growing areas were also now in Pakistan. The
THE PRINCELY STATES government had to find a solution to all these

At the time of transfer of power, there were more problems.
than 550 princely states in India. Each of these CONSTITUTION OF INDIA
was ruled by a maharaja or a nawab. They had The Constituent Assembly began its work on 9th
to be persuaded to join India. Displaying diplo- December, 1946 and Dr Rajendra Prasad was
macy and tact, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel per- elected as its Chairman. Dr B.R. Ambedkar was
suaded most of them to join India. The rulers of appointed as the Chairman of the Drafting
Kashmir, Junagarh and Hyderabad remained Committee. After a detailed discussion, the
undecided for a long time. Later, all three agreed Constitution of India was finally adopted on 26th
to join India. November, 1949. The Constitution came into
REHABILITATION OF THE REFUGEES effect on 26th January, 1950. Since then, the
After independence, crores of people migrated to day is celebrated as Republic Day.
India from Pakistan. They were homeless and
jobless. To rehabilitate the migrants, was a big
responsibility before the new government.
SOLVING THE ECONOMIC
DIFFICULTIES
After partition, India faced many economic
difficulties. Most of the rice and wheat producing
areas went to Pakistan. It led to food shortages in
India. Many Indian industries also faced a
Constitution Book of India
Social Science-8 119