Framing the Constitution The Beginning of a N e w Er a | Class 12 History Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 3 min read
Framing the Constitution The Beginning of a N e w Er a – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Framing the Constitution The Beginning of a N e w Er a from Class 12 History, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
5. THE LANGUAGE OF THE NATION
The linguistic diversity of India posed a significant challenge to nation-building. Different regions spoke distinct languages tied to their cultural heritage, raising questions about communication and unity. By the 1930s, the Congress had accepted Hindustani—a blend of Hindi and Urdu—as the national language. Mahatma Gandhi advocated for a language accessible to common people, believing Hindustani could unify Hindus and Muslims and bridge north-south divides. However, communal tensions led to the Sanskritization of Hindi and Persianization of Urdu, polarizing the languages along religious lines. Gandhi maintained faith in Hindustani's composite character. In the Constituent Assembly, R.V. Dhulekar aggressively advocated Hindi as the national language, even suggesting that members not knowing Hindustani were unworthy of the Assembly. This caused commotion, requiring Nehru’s intervention. The Language Committee proposed Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language, with English used for fifteen years during transition, and provinces allowed to use regional languages officially. Dhulekar rejected this compromise, demanding Hindi as the national language, which further inflamed tensions. G. Durgabai from Madras expressed fears that Hindi imposition threatened regional languages and cultural diversity. Other members called for accommodation and caution to avoid alienating non-Hindi speakers. The Constitution ultimately granted official language status to Hindi with safeguards for other languages, reflecting a negotiated middle ground. Additionally, the Constitution granted universal adult franchise, unprecedented at the time, and emphasized secularism through fundamental rights protecting religious freedom, equality, and cultural rights. The Indian model of secularism involved a judicious distance between State and religion, allowing social reform within communities while banning discrimination.
📊 Diagram: Figure 12.9 shows B.R. Ambedkar and Rajendra Prasad greeting each other during the handing over of the Constitution, symbolizing the culmination of the constitutional process.
🧪 Activity: Students are encouraged to map linguistic states and analyze changes in language policies over time.
🔗 Connection: Concludes the chapter by summarizing the complex negotiations and ideals embedded in the Constitution.
Frequently asked questions
1. What were the ideals expressed in the Objectives Resolution?
The Objectives Resolution expressed the ideals of sovereignty, democracy, and social justice. It declared India to be a sovereign, democratic republic and emphasized the importance of securing justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for all citizens. It also aimed to promote the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.
2. How was the term minority defined by different groups?
Different groups defined 'minority' based on religion, language, and social status. Religious minorities included Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and others who sought protection of their rights. Linguistic minorities were groups speaking languages different from the majority language in a region. Some groups also considered caste and social backwardness as criteria for minority status, demanding safeguards and affirmative action.
3. What were the arguments in favour of greater power to the provinces?
Arguments for greater power to the provinces included the need to accommodate regional diversity, protect local interests, and prevent central domination. Advocates believed that decentralization would ensure better governance, respect cultural and linguistic differences, and address specific regional needs effectively. They also feared that a strong Centre might suppress minority rights and local autonomy.
4. Why did Mahatma Gandhi think Hindustani should be the national language?
Mahatma Gandhi advocated Hindustani as the national language because it was a language understood and spoken by a large section of the Indian population, bridging the gap between Hindi and Urdu speakers. He believed that adopting Hindustani would promote national unity and communication across diverse linguistic groups without favouring any particular community.
Ready to ace this chapter?
Get the full Framing the Constitution The Beginning of a N e w Er a chapter — interactive notes, diagrams, worked solutions, polls and a free practice quiz — in the ConceptScroll app.
Study smarter with ConceptScroll
Daily NCERT-aligned reels, AI doubt solving and chapter quizzes — all free.
Start learning freeContinue reading
- Framing the Constitution The Beginning of a N e w Er a | Class 12 History Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on Framing the Constitution The Beginning of a N e w Er a for Class 12 History.
- Framing the Constitution The Beginning of a N e w Er a | Class 12 History Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on Framing the Constitution The Beginning of a N e w Er a for Class 12 History.
- Nationalist Movement | Class 12 History Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on Nationalist Movement for Class 12 History.