Constitution of India Bill 1895
Also called: Swaraj Bill · Topic: Making of the Constitution: Constituent Assembly, Sources and Salient Features · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 10 "The Philosophy of the Constitution"
Meaning
The Constitution of India Bill 1895 was the first unofficial draft constitution for India, meaning it was written by Indians and not by the British government. It is also called the Swaraj Bill and is generally credited to Bal Gangadhar Tilak. It said every citizen could take part in public affairs and hold public office. It matters because it shows that Indians were thinking about self-rule and citizens' rights long before independence.
Example
Its idea that every citizen could take part in public life and hold office came back in later nationalist documents, such as the Nehru Report (1928). The Constitution later made it real through universal adult franchise (Art. 326).
Don't confuse with
- Nehru Report (1928): the 1895 Bill was an early draft linked to one person. The Nehru Report came from an all-parties committee under Motilal Nehru.
Related concepts
- Government of India Act 1919
- Dyarchy
- Government of India Act 1935
- Nehru Report
- Karachi Resolution
- Sapru Committee