The Republic of India

India gained independence from the British on August 15th, 1947, and Jewarerhlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of the Republic of India. Before the British, the people of the Indian region ruled through the caste system. With Brahmins as priests and teachers at the top, Ksatriyas as warriors and kings below them, Vaishyas as merchants and artisans below that, Shudras as manual laborers below them, and other tribal people at the very bottom. Although the caste system has been banned, many people feel a lot of pride in their caste and it determines social hierarchy.

The Indian constitution draws much of its influence from the American constitution. One would be surprised to know that they have their own national anthem and pledge as well. The hierarchy of government in India is similar to that of other democratic countries. India has a supreme court, 24 high courts, and many district courts. Along with the judicial aspect, India also has a bicameral legislature. It has a parliament with two houses: Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and House of the People (Lok Sabha). Lastly, we have the executive, and this consists of the President (Ram Nath Kovind), Vice-President (M. Venkaiah Naidu), Council of Ministers, and Prime Minister (Narendra Modi). All states have a Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and in some cases, an upper house called the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad). Indian states are also organized into several smaller districts, which are further divided into subdivisions (Taluqs or Tahsils). The local villages are governed by the Gram Panchayat, who is elected within the village. There are several political parties in India including the Indian National Congress (INC), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). Many would be surprised to know that communist parties also exist in India including the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M). However, the ruling party in India is the Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP).

Indian Caste System

Narendra Modi (Prime Minister)

Parliament of India

Indian Emblem

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Our national anthem was written by Rabinarth Tagore, who won a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913.

Indian National Anthem:

Jana-gana-mana-adhinayaka, jaya he

Bharata-bhagya-vidhata.

Punjab-Sindh-Gujarat-Maratha

Dravida-Utkala-Banga

Vindhya-Himachala-Yamuna-Ganga

Uchchala-Jaladhi-taranga.

Tava shubha name jage,

Tava shubha asisa mage,

Gahe tava jaya gatha,

Jana-gana-mangala-dayaka jaya he

Bharata-bhagya-vidhata.

Jaya he, jaya he, jaya he, Jaya jaya jaya, jaya he!

Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people,

The dispenser of India's destiny.

Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind,

Gujarat and Maratha,

Of the Dravida and Odisha and Bengal;

It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas,

mingles in the music of Jamuna and Ganges and is

chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea.

They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise.

The saving of all people waits in thy hand,

Thou dispenser of India's destiny.

Victory, victory, victory to thee.

Indian Pledge:

India is my country and all Indians are my brothers and sisters.

I love my country and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage.

I shall always strive to be worthy of it.

I shall give respect to my parents, teachers, and all elders and treat everyone with courtesy.

To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion. In their well-being and prosperity alone lies my happiness.

Rabindranath Tagore

Indian Flag

Students Singing the Anthem

Cricket Players Sing Anthem

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Citations

“Constitutional Structure.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/place/India/Constitutional-structure.

Indif.com. “National Pledge of India.” National Pledge of India, Indian National Pledge, www.indif.com/india/national_symbols/national_pledge.asp.

“Interesting Facts About Our National Anthem.” Of India (Jana Gana Mana) - Lyrics, Translation, Meaning & History - An Essay, www.culturalindia.net/national-symbols/anthem.html.

“Major Political Parties In India.” RitiRiwaz, 9 Oct. 2019, www.ritiriwaz.com/major-political-parties-in-india/.

“Profile - The Union - Executive.” Know India: National Portal of India, knowindia.gov.in/profile/the-union/executive.php.