What historical forces shaped the vision of the Constitution?

(a) Certain basic values were accepted by all national leaders as a result of the Nehru Report and the Fundamental Rights Resolution passed by the Karachi session of the Indian National Congress.

(b) These included Universal Adult Franchise, Right to freedom and equality and protection of minority rights.

(c) As a result of the 1937 elections, the Congress and other political parties were able to form governments in the provinces. This experience with legislative and political institutions helped in developing an agreement over institutional design.

(d) The Indian Constitution thus adopted many institutional details and procedures from colonial laws like the Government of India Act of 1935.

(e) The founding fathers were also inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution, the working of parliamentary democracy in Britain and the Bill of Rights in the USA. The 1917 Russian Revolution inspired our leaders to establish a government based on social and economic equality.

(f) While addressing the meeting of the Constituent Assembly on 13 December, 1946, Jawaharalal Nehru spoke about the ideals of the new Indian Constitution. He discussed everything in a broad historical perspective. He referred to the historic efforts made in the past to achieve the goals of justice, liberty, equality, fraternity and fundamental rights.