SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This thesis is a study of those political and constitutional theories which mainly since 1919 had their impact on the constitutional evolution of India and Pakistan, The introductory chapter begins with a brief account of the constitutional and political background. An attempt has been made to make a comparative analysis of the constitution-making processes of four countries: the U.S.A. and France, representing the democracies in the West; and Turkey and Japan, representing Asia. The second chapter is devoted to the constitutional discussions in India during the period 1919-1935. The third and fourth chapters analyse the constitutional and political ideas put forth by Hindu and Muslim thinkers. Although the Hindu and Muslim leaders concentrated on the ultimate goal of political freedom from British rule, this study considers in some detail to what extent there was coherent thinking on the system of government to be established in independent India and Pakistan. The fifth and sixth chapters deal with constitution-making in independent India and Pakistan. The final chapter tries to analyse the major influences which shaped constitution-making in both India and Pakistan.