History · Spectrum Books A Brief History of Modern India
Chapter 33 : Challenges before the Newborn Nation
Table of contents28 sections
- 1.Challenges before the Newborn Nation
- 2.Setting out as an Independent Nation
- 3.First Government after Independence
- 4.First Council of Ministers of Independent India
- 5.Challenges
- 6.Typology of Challenges Faced by Independent India
- 7.Radcliffe's Boundary Award and the Communal Riots
- 8.Demographic and Territorial Division (Based on 1941 Census)
- 9.Challenges before the Boundary Commission
- 10.Regions Most Affected by Riots
- 11.Why the Large Number of Casualties
- 12.Historians and Contemporaries on the Boundary Award
- 13.Challenges Associated with the Division of Resources
- 14.Division of Civil Government
- 15.Division of Finances
- 16.Division of Defence Personnel and Equipment
- 17.Assassination of Gandhi
- 18.Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Refugees
- 19.East Punjab
- 20.Bengal
- 21.Delhi Pact on Minorities (Nehru-Liaquat Pact)
- 22.Centres of Refugee Settlements in India
- 23.Communists and Independence
- 24.Why Communists were Sceptical about Independence
- 25.Shift from Antagonistic Strategy to Constitutional Democracy
- 26.Key Terms
- 27.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 28.Quick-Recall Box
Chapter preview
Challenges before the Newborn Nation
Setting out as an Independent Nation
- August 14, 1947 (11 p.m.): The Constituent Assembly of India met, presided over by Rajendra Prasad.
- August 14-15, 1947 (Midnight): A ceremony was held in the Constituent Assembly (in Parliament House).
- Jawaharlal Nehru, as the first Prime Minister of Independent India, delivered his historic speech.
- Verbatim Quote: "Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will wake to life and freedom..."
- August 15, 1947: Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the Indian national flag above the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi.
First Government after Independence
- August 15, 1947: The Governor-General and ministers were sworn in. Jawaharlal Nehru took charge as Prime Minister, assisted by 15 other members.
- Key Constitutional/Executive Heads:
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: Served as Deputy Prime Minister till his death in December 1950.
- Lord Mountbatten and later C. Rajagopalachari: Served as Governor-General till January 26, 1950.
- Rajendra Prasad: Elected as India's first President when India became a republic on January 26, 1950.
First Council of Ministers of Independent India
| Minister | Portfolio / Department | Additional Source Details |
|---|---|---|
| Jawaharlal Nehru | Prime Minister; External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations; Scientific Research | |
| Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel | Deputy Prime Minister; Home Affairs and States; Information and Broadcasting | |
| Maulana Abul Kalam Azad | Education | |
| John Mathai | Railways and Transport | |
| Sardar Baldev Singh | Defence | |
| Jairamdas Daulatram | Food and Agriculture | |
| Jagjivan Ram | Labour | |
| C.H. Bhabha | Commerce | |
| Amrit Kaur | Health | |
| Rafi Ahmad Kidwai | Communications | |
| Narhar Vishnu Gadgil | Works, Mines and Power | |
| R.K. Shanmukham Chetty | Finance | |
| K.C. Neogy | Relief and Rehabilitation | |
| B.R. Ambedkar | Law | Belonged to Scheduled Castes Federation; resigned in 1951. |
| Shyama Prasad Mookherjee | Industries and Supplies | Belonged to Hindu Mahasabha; first to resign from cabinet in April 1950. |
| Narasimha Gopalaswami Ayyangar | Minister without portfolio | Tasked to act as a link between the union government and the cabinet of East Punjab government. |
| Mohanlal Saxena | Minister without portfolio |
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View plans Chapter 34 : The Indian States: Growth of Nationalism, Integration and Merger