In India, Republic Day honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950 replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India.
The Constitution was passed by the Constituent Assembly of India
on 26 November 1949 but was adopted on 26 January 1950 with a
democratic government system, completing the country's transition toward
becoming an independent republic.
26 January was selected for this purpose because it was this day in
1930 when the Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was
proclaimed by the Indian National Congress.
India achieved independence from British rule on 15 August 1947 following the Indian independence movement noted for largely peaceful nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience led by the Indian National Congress. The independence came through the Indian Independence Act 1947 (10 & 11 Geo 6 c. 30), an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that partitioned British India into the two new independent Dominions of the British Commonwealth (later Commonwealth of Nations): India and Pakistan. India obtained its independence on 15 August 1947 as a constitutional monarchy with George VI as head of state and the Earl Mountbatten as governor-general. The country, though, did not yet have a permanent constitution; instead its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935. On 28 August 1947, the Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Dr.B. R. Ambedkar as chairman. While India's Independence Day celebrates its freedom from British Rule, the Republic Day celebrates the coming into force of its constitution.
A draft constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to
the Assembly on 4 November 1947. The Assembly met, in sessions open to
public, for 166 days, spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 18
days before adopting the Constitution. After many deliberations and some
modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two hand-written
copies of the document (one each in Hindi and English) on 24 January
1950. Two days later, it came into effect throughout the nation.
Since 1950, India has been hosting head of state or government of
another country as the state guest of honour for Republic Day
celebrations in New Delhi. During 1950-1954, Republic Day celebrations
were organized at different venues (like Irwin Stadium, Kingsway, Red
Fort and Ramlila Grounds). It was only starting 1955 when the parade in its present form was organized at Rajpath.
The guest country is chosen after a deliberation of strategic, economic
and political interests. During 1950s-1970s, a number of NAM and Eastern Bloc countries were hosted by India. In the post-Cold War
era, India has also invited several Western leaders on a state visit
during the Republic Day. It is notable that before India fought bloody
wars with China and Pakistan, leaders from these countries were invited
as state guests for the Republic Day celebrations. Interestingly,
Pakistan Food and Agriculture Minister was the second state guest from
that country for Republic Day in 1965, a few days after which the two
countries went to a war. Countries which have been invited multiple
times include India's neighbours (Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Mauritius), defence allies (Russia/USSR, France and Britain), trade partners (Brazil) and NAM allies (Nigeria and erstwhile Yugoslavia). France has the distinction of being the guest of honour for the maximum (four) number of times followed by three visits each from Bhutan, Mauritius and USSR/Russia.
