ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to explore the history of federalism in India, Nehru’s idea of federalism and nation-building. It discusses the history and constitutional aspect, Nehru’s idea and nation-building. Federalism comes into existence through centripetal and centrifugal tendencies. The history of federalism in India can be traced to the third and fourth decade of the twentieth century when nationalists were demanding complete independence, the target set by Indian National Congress at its Lahore Session in 1929-30. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, the process of nation-building was initiated with the inception of the constitutional, political and legal apparatus which through its operation has penetrated society at various levels and has succeeded in bringing the integration of diversities in national life. Nation-building in India is a problematic process owing to the presence of numerous hindering factors.
