What were the major problems that India faced post Independence?
When India became independent in August 1947, it faced a series of very great problems. As a result of Partition, 8 million refugees had come into the country from what was now Pakistan. These people had to be found homes and jobs. Then there was the problem of the princely states, almost 500 of them, each ruled by a Maharaja or a nawab, each of whom had to be persuaded to join the new nation. The problems of the refugees and of the princely states had to be addressed immediately. In the longer term, the new nation had to adopt a political system that would best serve the hopes and expectations of its population.
The foremost was the challenge of religious communalism. The national movement’s attempt at uniting Hindus and Muslims in face of the higher challenge of colonialism was undermined even when the major movements like Non-cooperation and Civil Disobedience Movements were withdrawn.
When India became independent in August 1947, it faced a series of very great problems. As a result of Partition, 8 million refugees had come into the country from what was now Pakistan. These people had to be found homes and jobs. Then there was the problem of the princely states, almost 500 of them, each ruled by a Maharaja or a nawab, each of whom had to be persuaded to join the new nation. The problems of the refugees and of the princely states had to be addressed immediately. In the longer term, the new nation had to adopt a political system that would best serve the hopes and expectations of its population.
The foremost was the challenge of religious communalism. The national movement’s attempt at uniting Hindus and Muslims in face of the higher challenge of colonialism was undermined even when the major movements like Non-cooperation and Civil Disobedience Movements were withdrawn.
