The Indian Constitution
The identity of modern India is legally defined in its supreme law, the Constitution, which came into force in 1950.
Article 1
Right at the beginning, the Constitution addresses the dual names of the country:
Note
Article 1(1): “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.”
In the Hindi version of the Constitution, it is written as:
‘Bhārat arthāth India’
Why two names?
The inclusion of both names represents a bridge between:
- Bharat: Rooted in ancient history, Sanskrit literature, and cultural heritage.
- India: The name by which the country became known globally in modern times.
Tip
Definition - Constitution: A document that spells out the basic principles and laws of a nation.
Historical Context
As seen in the original manuscript of the Constitution (Fig. 5.5 in the text), the opening lines specify the territory and name of the Union, ensuring that the ancient legacy of Bhārat is preserved alongside the modern identity of India.