A Closer Look at Narasimha Gopalaswami Ayyangar's Life

Narasimha Gopalaswami Ayyangar was born on March 31^st, 1882, in the Tanjore District, Madras Presidency. After receiving his education from Wesley School, the Presidency, and Law Colleges in Madras, he briefly served as an assistant professor at Pachaiyappa’s College in 1904. Ayyangar held several significant positions throughout his career, including the leader of the Rajya Sabha, a "minister without portfolio" in charge of Kashmir Affairs, a member of the committee that drafted the Constitution of India, and the Minister for Railways. He played a crucial role in drafting Article 370 of the Constitution of India, which granted autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir.

The Political Journey of N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar

Ayyangar served as the Prime Minister of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir from 1937 to 1943. He was then appointed to the Council of State, where he served from 1943 to 1947. During this time, he also headed the Committee for the Indianisation of the Army. Ayyangar was a Minister without Portfolio in Jawaharlal Nehru’s first cabinet from 1947 until 1948. He then held the position of Minister of Railways and Transport from 1948 to 1952, followed by his tenure as Minister of Defense from 1952 to 1953.

N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar's Contributions to the Government of India

Role in the Constituent Assembly of India

In 1946, Ayyangar was elected to the Constituent Assembly of India, which was chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru. He was among the thirteen members chosen for the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution.

Note: With UPSC 2023 round the corner, stay updated with the latest UPSC current affairs where we simplify important news for you.

Note: Strengthen your current affairs revision with Free Monthly Magazines.

Handling of Kashmir Affairs

In October 1947, following the independence of Jammu and Kashmir, Jawaharlal Nehru appointed Ayyangar as a cabinet minister without a portfolio to handle Kashmiri concerns. This led to a conflict with the home minister Vallabhbhai Patel, who would ordinarily be in charge of Kashmir and all other princely states. In 1948, Ayyangar represented India at the UN regarding the Kashmir dispute. In 1952, Prime Minister Nehru chose him to represent India in the ongoing discussions and negotiations about Kashmir at the Geneva talks. Ayyangar was primarily responsible for drafting Article 370, which granted autonomy to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

As Minister of Railways and Transport

During his tenure as Minister for Railways and Transport from 1948 to 1952, the railways witnessed significant growth and expansion in services and equipment. Ayyangar ensured smooth and efficient operation of the railways, and the railway budget also recorded surplus earnings during this time.

Government Reorganisation, 1949

In 1949, Ayyangar presented his "Reorganisation of the Government Machinery" report to improve government operations and promote public efficiency. Following his recommendation, the Union administration formed four standing committees: the Defense Committee, the Economic Committee, the Parliamentary and Legal Affairs Committee, and the Administrative Organisation Committee.

Awards and Honours Received by Narasimha Gopalaswami Ayyangar

Ayyangar was a distinguished administrator and civil servant, and he was awarded seven titles until 1947, including the highest title given by a British viceroy, "Diwan Bahadur". He was also honoured with a knighthood in the 1941 New Year Honours list, the companionship of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) in the 1935 Silver Jubilee and Birthday Honours list, and the companionship of the Star of India (CSI) in the 1937 Coronation Honours list.

Note: Access all the Polity Questions for the UPSC Mains exam by clicking on the linked article.

Kickstart your IAS Exam preparation by understanding the UPSC Syllabus in-depth and strategizing your approach accordingly.

Related Links: