The Constitution of India embodies a moment of profound transformation one in which the subjects of an alien, colonial regime became the free citizens of a republic. Yet, this is the story of constitutions the world over. The Indian Constitution was, however, transformative in a second sense as well: it sought a thorough reconstruction of State and society itself. It recognized that, unlike in the West, the State had never been the only power centre in India. Deeply pervasive hierarchies were maintained by structures that took various forms caste, for instance and the State had limited authority to interfere.