Context:
November 26 celebrated as Constitution Day.
Art in Indian Constitution:
- Each of the 22 chapters begins with an illustration crafted by a team of artists led by Nandalal Bose, the principal of Santiniketan’s Kala Bhavana.
- The calligraphy was executed by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, who inscribed the text in both Hindi (Devanagari Script) and English (Roman Script)
- The calligraphy was done in the hashia-style of Mughal and Sultanate inscriptions.
- 2 types of borders are used in the entire manuscript
- While all pages have a simple gold-speckled border, some at the opening of a schedule, and the page where every schedule end, have a second inner border of gold ornament.
- Illustrations were created using indigenous techniques of applying gold-leaf and stone colours.
- There are influences of Ajanta cave paintings and the Bagh murals in its borders and illustrations.
Illustrations on various Parts of the Constitution:
| Part | Subject | Illustrations |
| Part 1 | States and Union Territories | Indus Valley seal-mark, the bull |
| Part 2 | Citizenship | Vedic Ashram – Gurukul |
| Part 3 | Fundamental Rights | Scene from the Ramayana – Conquest of Lanka and recovery of Sita by Rama & Lakshman |
| Part 4 | Directive Principles of State Policy | Arjun and Lord Krishna’s conversation before the Mahabharata war |
| Part 5 | The Union | Buddha’s Enlightenment under a fig tree |
| Part 6 | The States | Vardhmana Mahavira in a meditative posture |
| Part 7 | States in Part B of the First Schedule | Spread of Buddhism by Emperor Asoka in India and abroad |
| Part 9 | Panchayats | Scene from King Vikramaditya’s Court |
| Part 12 | Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits | Dancing Nataraja from the Chola tradition |
| Part 13 | Trade and Commerce within India | Arjuna’s Penance (from Mahabalipuram) |
| Part 14 | Services Under the Union and the States | Scene from Emperor Akbar’s court depicting Mughal rule |
| Part 15 | Elections | Images of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and 10th Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh |
| Part 16 | Special Provisions relating to certain classes | Heroes of the freedom struggle like Rani Lakshmibai and Tipu Sultan |
| Part 17 | Official Language | Mahatma Gandhi walking with a stick – Dandi March |
| Part 18 | Emergency Provisions | Mahatma Gandhi’s tour of riot-hit Noakhali in south-east Bangladesh |
| Part 19 | Miscellaneous | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose leading the military campaigns of his INA against British India |
| Part 20 | Amendment of the Constitution | Natural features of India, including the mighty Himalayas |
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements in respect of the Constitution Day:
Statement-I: The Constitution Day is celebrated on 26th November every year to promote constitutional values among citizens.
Statement-II: On 26th November, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India set up a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to prepare a Draft Constitution of India.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
On 26th November, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted and enacted the constitution.