India After Independence

India is the world's largest democracy. It is the only country in Asia that has remained democratic ever since it attained its independence from British rule. Many in the world were apprehensive of the success of democracy in India. Their belief was further strengthened when several countries in the region, including Pakistan, failed as democracies and chose an authoritarian and militarist path in its stead. After a long and difficult freedom struggle, India attained its independence from British rule in 1947. A new state of Pakistan was created with portions of Western and Eastern India, taken away from the Indian map.

In 1971, East Pakistan broke its ties with the Western wing and became the separate country of Bangladesh. The subcon­tinent, which was once a single country, was divided into three nations. Independence arrived in India not only with ‘multiplicity of heritages and legacies but also with the pangs of partition that caused the dislocation of populations on both sides. When India became independent in August 1947, it faced a series of very great challenges. As a result of Partition, 8 million refugees had come into the country from what was now Pakistan. India’s population in 1947 was large, almost 345 million. It was also divided. There were divisions between high castes and low castes, between the majority Hindu community and Indians who practiced other faiths. In its 72 years of independence, India has had several achievements to its credit. It has built a modern economy (second fastest growing economy), remained a democracy, lifted millions out of poverty, has become a space and nuclear power, and developed a robust foreign policy.

By: Anirudha Sharma
Government Senior Secondary School, Bopara