The 22 Illustrations in the Indian Constitution

A controversy has erupted in Parliament over the absence of 22 hand-painted illustrations in most copies of the Indian Constitution published currently. 

• The original, signed copy of the Constitution contains 22 miniatures, considered the only authentic version. 
• The illustrations correspond to the original twenty-two parts of the Constitution.

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The Artists and their Contribution

• The illustrations were conceptualized and executed by renowned artist Nandalal Bose and his team at Santiniketan.
  • A close aide of Mahatma Gandhi,  Nandalal Bose had designed posters for the Congress session at Haripura in 1938.
• His vision presented a historical narrative of India, covering periods from the Indus Valley civilization to the independence movement.
• Other key contributors include:
  • Prem Behari Narain Raizada: Calligrapher who handwritten the Constitution
  • Beohar Rammanohar Sinha: Designer of intricate patterns on the Preamble
  • Dinanath Bhargava: Sketch artist for the National Emblem

The Narrative of the Illustrations

• The illustrations follow a chronological sequence of Indian history rather than directly depicting the text of the Constitution. 
• The illustrations also showcase the diverse geography of India, from camels marching in the desert to the mighty Himalayas. 
• Each part of the Constitution features artwork representing different aspects of Indian culture, history, and governance.

Representation of Ancient and Medieval India

• Indus Valley Civilization: The Bull Seal, excavated from the Indus Valley region, is the first pictorial representation depicted in Part I (The Union and Its Territory).
• Buddhism and Jainism: Buddha appears in a meditative posture in Part V, while Mahavir is featured in Part VI.
• Hindu Epics:
  • Ramayana: A scene of Ram, Lakshman, and Sita returning to Ayodhya is included in Part III (Fundamental Rights).
  • Mahabharata: Krishna and Arjuna’s conversation before the Kurukshetra war is depicted in Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy).
• Prominent Indian Monarchs:
  • Emperor Ashoka: Seen propagating Buddhism while riding an elephant in Part VII.
  • Vikramaditya: Depicted as a patron of art and culture in Part IX.
  • Chhatrapati Shivaji and Guru Gobind Singh: Featured in Part XV.
  • Rani Lakshmibai and Tipu Sultan: Illustrated together in Part XVI.

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The Freedom Struggle and National Leaders

• Mahatma Gandhi: Appears twice—leading the Dandi March and visiting riot-affected Noakhali.
• Subhas Chandra Bose: Depicted with the Azad Hind Fauj, saluting the flag against a mountainous backdrop in Part XIX.
• Nehru was also supposed to be included, but was eventually omitted.

Conclusion

The 22 illustrations in the Constitution serve as a visual representation of India’s cultural and historical heritage. While their omission in widely available copies has sparked debate, the original artwork remains preserved in Parliament, highlighting the rich legacy of Indian history and governance.

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