A landmark new book reimagines one of the most told stories in modern Indian history—the making of the Constitution. Assembling India’s Constitution by noted historians Ornit Shani and Rohit De shifts the focus away from the Constituent Assembly and instead turns to the people of India themselves.

In this groundbreaking retelling, Shani and De reveal how citizens, communities, local groups, and public movements across the subcontinent actively shaped constitutional ideas. Far from being confined to elite debates in Delhi, constitution-making was a mass public process—messy, vibrant, and alive with competing visions. From petitions and protests to grassroots campaigns and correspondence, Indians everywhere transformed constitutionalism into a tool for justice, rights, and democratic imagination.

The authors show how this deep public ownership became central to the Constitution’s legitimacy and helped India’s democracy endure against formidable odds. Their work positions India as a powerful example of constitution-making in a diverse, plural society.

About the Authors
Ornit Shani, Associate Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Haifa, is the award-winning author of How India Became Democratic, which uncovered the extraordinary story behind India’s first universal electoral roll.
Rohit De, a leading historian of modern India, brings decades of research on law, rights, and constitutional culture.

Assembling India’s Constitution is essential reading for anyone interested in India’s democratic journey, the hidden histories of ordinary people, and the making of one of the world’s most remarkable constitutional democracies.