Changing Basis of State Formation in India

Overview & Synopsis

The state formation of India has not been a static process; it has had its different historical stages, which were influenced by the political power, economic formations, social relations, and ideological movements (Chatterjee, 1997) . India serves as a good example, with a stratified and multi-layered process of state building, of a transition between pre-colonial polities with fragmented sovereignty and localised power, and a highly centralised colonial administrative state. The Indian state after gaining independence in 1947 was reconstituted based on constitutional, democratic and developmental principles. The political legitimacy and institutional stability of a new independent and heterogeneous society were guaranteed by the adoption of a written Constitution, the introduction of universal adult franchise and a strong federal system. The state formation during the first post-colonial decades was associated closely with the planned economic growth, expansion of the public sector, and the welfare-based policies, therefore, strengthening the position of the state as the main driver of nation-building (Kohli, 2004).