<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBetween 1857 and 1947, a substantial portion of India was under direct British rule. Following independence, it became evident that India needed a new constitution. However, before the new constitution could be established, the entirety of India had to be integrated into the newly formed union. This task involved persuading the Princely States to join the Indian confederation, employing a combination of diplomacy and, at times, coercion. This complex and monumental effort was led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V.P. Menon. Until this point, India technically remained a British dominion with the responsibility of maintaining external security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consequently, when the Indian Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950, it rendered both the Indian Independence Act of 1947 and the Government of India Act of 1935 obsolete. With the adoption of the Constitution, India transformed into a sovereign democratic republic, shedding its status as a dominion under the British Crown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n