Understanding the Drafting of India's Constitution in 1928

The question asks about the specific year when a constitution for India was drafted by a committee chaired by Motilal Nehru, along with eight other Congress leaders. This historical event is a significant milestone in India's struggle for independence and the demand for self-governance.

In response to Lord Birkenhead's challenge to Indians to produce a constitution acceptable to all, the Indian National Congress convened an All Parties Conference in 1928. A committee was formed to draft the constitution, with Motilal Nehru as its chairman. The committee included prominent leaders such as Tej Bahadur Sapru, Surendranath Sen, M.R. Jayakar, G.R. Pradhan, Shuab Qureshi, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Annie Besant.

The report submitted by this committee, often referred to as the 'Nehru Report', presented a blueprint for India's future constitution. It advocated for Dominion Status within the British Commonwealth, fundamental rights, a parliamentary form of government, and various other provisions. The report was a notable attempt by Indians to draft their own constitution.

Let's look at the options provided:

• 1928: This is the year the All Parties Conference appointed the committee chaired by Motilal Nehru, and the committee subsequently drafted and submitted its report containing a draft constitution.
• 1925: While important events occurred in 1925, this year is not associated with the drafting of a constitution by the Nehru committee.
• 1930: The Civil Disobedience Movement began in 1930, following the declaration of Purna Swaraj (complete independence) in 1929. This year is not directly related to the Nehru Report.
• 1950: This is the year the Constitution of India, as adopted by the Constituent Assembly, came into effect (Republic Day). The Nehru Report of 1928 was a precursor, but the final constitution was drafted much later by the Constituent Assembly.

Therefore, the year in which Motilal Nehru and eight other Congress leaders drafted a constitution for India, known as the Nehru Report, is 1928.

Revision Table: Key Dates in India's Constitutional History

Additional Information: The Nehru Report (1928)

The Nehru Report of 1928 was the first major attempt by Indians to draft a constitutional framework for the country. While it proposed Dominion Status, which was later superseded by the demand for Purna Swaraj, it contained several important proposals that were later incorporated into the final Constitution of independent India. Some key aspects included:

• Demand for Fundamental Rights (similar to those in the US Constitution).
• Establishment of a secular state, with no state religion.
• Universal adult suffrage.
• Responsibility of the government to the legislature.
• Creation of a federal structure with a strong centre.
• Separation of powers between the legislature, executive, and judiciary.

The report's recommendations sparked debates and disagreements among different political groups, particularly regarding the issue of communal representation. Despite not being implemented, the Nehru Report remains a significant document showcasing the intellectual and political capacity of Indian leaders in shaping their own destiny.