Benegal Narsing Rau: Architect Who Visualized India's Constitutional Design

Benegal Narsing Rau

Architect Who Visualized India's Constitutional Design 

Benegal Narsing Rau, popularly known as Sir B. N. Rau, was an Indian civil servant, jurist, and constitutional expert who played a crucial role in drafting the Constitution of India. 

He was appointed as the Constitutional Adviser to the Constituent Assembly and played a crucial role by:

• Studying constitutions of various countries (including the USA, UK, Ireland, Canada, and Australia)

• Preparing the first draft text

• Advising the Drafting Committee on constitutional matters

However, the final draft of the Constitution was prepared by the Drafting Committee  by refining the initial draft of Benegal Narsing Rau.

Appointed as Constitutional Adviser (1946)

The Constituent Assembly of India appointed him as its Constitutional Adviser.

His role was to:

• Study constitutional systems worldwide

• Prepare background notes for committees

• Draft the initial text of the Constitution

Studied Constitutions of Many Countries

Rau examined major democratic constitutions, including those of:

• United States

• United Kingdom

• Canada

• Ireland

• Australia

He analyzed how federalism, judiciary, fundamental rights, and emergency powers worked in these countries.

Consulted Experts Abroad (1947)

In 1947, Rau travelled to:

• USA

• UK

• Ireland

• Canada

He met prominent constitutional experts, including:

• Felix Frankfurter (U.S. Supreme Court Judge)

He discussed issues like:

• Judicial review

• Fundamental Rights

• Separation of powers

Prepared the First Draft (October 1947)

Using:

• Reports of various committees of the Constituent Assembly

• Comparative constitutional studies

• His own legal expertise

He prepared a comprehensive draft Constitution (known as the Rau Draft).

This draft became the working document for the Drafting Committee.

Drafting Committee Revised It

The Drafting Committee, chaired by B. R. Ambedkar, examined Rau’s draft, made revisions, added provisions, and finalized the text.

In Short

The foundation of the Constitution was laid by Sir B. N. Rau.
He:

• Researched global constitutions

• Collected committee recommendations

• Consulted international experts

• Prepared the first structured draft

His draft formed the foundation, which the Drafting Committee refined into the final Constitution adopted on 26 November 1949.

Leaders including Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Jawaharlal Nehru acknowledged him as the architect who visualized India's constitutional design.