Which of the following is/are the right/ rights mentioned in the ‘American Declaration of Independence’ ? 1. Life 2. Liberty 3. Pursuit of Happiness 4. Fraternity Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. Natural Rights and Constitutionalism (basic)

To understand the foundation of modern constitutions, we must first understand the concept of Natural Rights. In the 17th and 18th centuries, political thinkers like John Locke challenged the old idea that kings ruled by 'divine right.' Instead, they proposed that every human being is born with certain rights simply by virtue of being human. These rights are not gifts from a government or a society; they are inalienable, meaning they cannot be taken away or surrendered Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Rights, p.69. Originally, these were identified as the rights to Life, Liberty, and Property. This logic flipped the relationship between the individual and the state: the state does not give us rights; rather, we create the state to protect the rights we already have.

This shift is the bedrock of Constitutionalism. Constitutionalism is the idea that government authority is derived from and limited by a fundamental law. If we are born with natural rights, then no government should have absolute or arbitrary power. Philosophers like Locke and Rousseau argued that a person's position in society should depend on their merit rather than birth-based privileges India and the Contemporary World - I, The French Revolution, p.6. This eventually led to the drafting of documents like the American Declaration of Independence (1776), which famously adapted Locke's list to include "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

While the core idea of natural rights is universal, different nations have emphasized different aspects over time. For instance, while the American tradition focused heavily on individual liberty and happiness, the French Revolution introduced the influential triad of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. Today, these historical 'natural rights' have been transformed into Fundamental Rights in modern constitutions, like the Indian Constitution, where the right to life and personal liberty is considered the most essential protection against state overreach Indian Constitution at Work, RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION, p.34.

Feature	Natural Rights	Legal/Constitutional Rights
Source	Nature or God (Inherent at birth)	The State (Constitution or Laws)
Alienability	Inalienable (Cannot be taken away)	Can be modified or limited by law
Purpose	Limits the power of the state	Governs relations between citizens and state

Sources: Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Rights, p.69; India and the Contemporary World - I, The French Revolution, p.6; Indian Constitution at Work, RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION, p.34

2. Sources of the Indian Constitution (basic)

To understand the Indian Constitution, one must realize it is a masterpiece of synthesis. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar famously stated that the Constitution was framed after 'ransacking all the known Constitutions of the world.' However, it is not a mere 'patchwork'; it is a document carefully tailored to the unique socio-political fabric of India Indian Polity, Salient Features of the Constitution, p.27. The sources are generally divided into three parts: structural, philosophical, and political.

The structural part is largely derived from the Government of India Act, 1935. This Act served as the blueprint, providing the Federal Scheme, the Office of the Governor, the Judiciary, Public Service Commissions, and Emergency provisions. In fact, more than half of our Constitution's provisions bear a close resemblance to this 1935 Act Indian Polity, Salient Features of the Constitution, p.28. The philosophical part—which includes Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles—finds its roots in the American and Irish Constitutions respectively. Our Fundamental Rights were inspired by the American 'Bill of Rights', though our version is far more elaborate Indian Polity, Fundamental Rights, p.74.

It is also fascinating to observe the subtle distinctions in the ideals we adopted. While we look to the United States for the concept of 'Liberty,' the specific trinity of 'Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity' in our Preamble is actually borrowed from the French Constitution. Unlike the American Declaration of Independence (1776), which emphasizes the 'pursuit of Happiness', the Indian framers chose 'Fraternity' to ensure the unity and integrity of a diverse nation Indian Polity, Preamble of the Constitution, p.45.

Source	Key Features Borrowed
GOI Act, 1935	Federal Scheme, Office of Governor, Judiciary, Emergency Powers.
USA	Fundamental Rights, Independence of Judiciary, Judicial Review.
Britain	Parliamentary government, Rule of Law, Single citizenship.
France	Republic and the ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.

Sources: Indian Polity, Salient Features of the Constitution, p.27-28; Indian Polity, Fundamental Rights, p.74; Indian Polity, Preamble of the Constitution, p.45

3. The Preamble: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity (intermediate)

When we look at the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, we see the resonant words Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. To understand these deeply, we must look at their global lineage. These three concepts are often described as a 'trinity' because they are mutually dependent; without equality, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many, and without fraternity, liberty and equality could not become a natural state of things. This specific 'trinity' was the famous slogan of the French Revolution (1789), and it is from the French model that the Indian Preamble adopted the concept of Fraternity Indian Polity, Preamble of the Constitution, p.45.

It is fascinating to contrast this with the American influence. While the American Declaration of Independence (1776) served as a massive inspiration for democratic movements worldwide, its phrasing was slightly different. Thomas Jefferson famously wrote that all men are endowed with certain unalienable rights, specifically 'Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness'. While the Indian Preamble shares the ideal of Liberty, it chose to follow the French path by emphasizing 'Fraternity' to ensure the dignity of the individual and the unity of a diverse nation, rather than the American focus on the 'pursuit of happiness' Indian Polity, Preamble of the Constitution, p.45.

In the Indian context, these ideals weren't just poetic additions; they were the foundational goals outlined by Jawaharlal Nehru in the Objectives Resolution of 1946. He envisioned a republic that guaranteed not just political freedom, but a social and ethical framework where justice and equality were paramount THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, FRAMING THE CONSTITUTION, p.322. As the Supreme Court later noted in the LIC of India case (1995), the Preamble is an integral part of the Constitution, serving as the 'grand and noble vision' that guides the interpretation of all other laws Indian Polity, Preamble of the Constitution, p.47.

Ideal	American Declaration (1776)	Indian Preamble (1950)
Core Trinity	Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness	Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity
Primary Influence	Enlightenment Philosophy (Locke)	French Revolution & Objectives Resolution

Sources: Indian Polity, Preamble of the Constitution, p.45; Indian Polity, Preamble of the Constitution, p.47; THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, FRAMING THE CONSTITUTION, p.322

4. The French Revolution and its Global Impact (intermediate)

The French Revolution (1789–1799) was not merely a change of government; it was an ideological earthquake that reshaped the global political landscape. While the American Revolution earlier had focused on protecting individual liberty from a distant crown, the French Revolution sought a radical transformation of society itself. It introduced the world to the powerful trinity of "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité" (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity), which would eventually become the foundational pillars of the Indian Preamble Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Preamble of the Constitution, p.45.

On August 26, 1789, the National Constituent Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This document was revolutionary because it declared that "Men are born and remain free and equal in rights," shifting the source of power from the divine right of kings to the collective body of citizens History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), The Age of Revolutions, p.159. The concept of Equality here was specifically aimed at dismantling the "special privileges" held by the landed aristocracy and the clergy—a sentiment that resonated deeply during India's struggle against both colonial rule and internal social hierarchies Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Equality, p.32.

It is crucial for a student of comparative constitutions to distinguish between the American and French influences on modern democracy. While both revolutions valued liberty, their specific vocabularies differed significantly:

Feature	American Declaration (1776)	French Declaration (1789)
Core Slogan	Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness	Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity
Primary Focus	Individual freedom from government tyranny	Social equality and the rule of law
Impact on India	Inspired the Bill of Rights (Fundamental Rights)	Inspired the Preamble's core social ideals

The global impact of these French ideals was profound, providing a rallying cry for anti-colonial liberation movements across Asia and Africa in the 20th century Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Equality, p.32. By adopting "Fraternity," the Indian Constitution makers acknowledged that liberty and equality would be hollow without a sense of brotherhood and national unity to bind a diverse society together.

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Preamble of the Constitution, p.45; Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Equality, p.32; History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), The Age of Revolutions, p.159

5. US Bill of Rights vs. Indian Fundamental Rights (exam-level)

When we look at the Fundamental Rights (FRs) in India, we are looking at a system that deeply respects its roots while branching out in its own unique way. The framers of the Indian Constitution drew primary inspiration from the U.S. Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution), which is why Part III of our Constitution is often hailed as the Magna Carta of India Indian Polity, Fundamental Rights, p.74. However, there is a fascinating distinction in how these rights are listed. While the Indian Constitution provides an exhaustive enumeration of rights within Part III, the American Constitution, via the Ninth Amendment, expressly states that just because certain rights are listed doesn't mean other rights "retained by the people" do not exist Introduction to the Constitution of India, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES, p.95. This makes the U.S. system more open-ended, whereas the Indian system prefers explicit constitutional naming of rights.

A pivotal difference lies in the level of protection against the legislature. Originally, the Indian Constitution followed the British-inspired principle of 'Procedure Established by Law' (Article 21), meaning a person could be deprived of liberty as long as the law was enacted following the correct technical steps. In contrast, the U.S. Constitution (5th and 14th Amendments) uses the 'Due Process of Law' clause. This allows American courts to check not just if the law exists, but if the law itself is reasonable, fair, and just Introduction to the Constitution of India, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES, p.129. However, since the landmark Maneka Gandhi case (1978), the Indian Supreme Court has essentially read "Due Process" into Article 21, narrowing the gap between the two systems Laxmikanth, Judicial Review, p.298.

Feature	Indian Fundamental Rights	U.S. Bill of Rights
Enumeration	Exhaustive list in Part III.	Not exhaustive (9th Amendment protects unenumerated rights).
Standard of Law	Procedure Established by Law (expanded by Judiciary).	Due Process of Law (inherent in the text).
Philosophical Roots	Includes "Fraternity" (from the French Revolution).	Focuses on "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" (1776 Declaration).

Furthermore, it is important to distinguish between Fundamental Rights and other Constitutional Rights. In India, rights like the right to property (Article 300-A) or the freedom of trade (Article 301) exist outside Part III. These are legal rights; they are protected by the Constitution but do not enjoy the same "fundamental" status or direct access to the Supreme Court under Article 32 that Part III rights do Indian Polity, Fundamental Rights, p.106.

Sources: Indian Polity, Fundamental Rights, p.74; Introduction to the Constitution of India, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES, p.95; Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity, Judicial Review, p.298; Introduction to the Constitution of India, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES, p.129; Indian Polity, Fundamental Rights, p.106

6. American Declaration of Independence (1776) (exam-level)

The American Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, was a revolutionary document that changed the course of global political history. While the American War of Independence had already begun with skirmishes like those at Lexington in 1775, this document formally announced that the thirteen colonies were no longer under British rule. The primary architect behind this monumental text was Thomas Jefferson, whose words transformed a political rebellion into a philosophical movement for human rights History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), The Age of Revolutions, p.154.

At its heart, the Declaration is built on the concept of Natural Rights — the idea that certain rights are inherent to all human beings and cannot be taken away by any government. Jefferson famously identified three 'unalienable rights' endowed by the Creator: Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. It is important to note a subtle but crucial distinction here: while the philosopher John Locke had previously emphasized 'Life, Liberty, and Property,' Jefferson opted for the more aspirational 'Pursuit of Happiness' for the 1776 Declaration. This 'democratic spirit' served as a rallying cry against the monarchies of the Old World Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Displacing Indigenous Peoples, p.147.

However, as UPSC aspirants, we must look at the document through a comparative and critical lens. While it declared that 'all men are created equal,' these rights were historically limited in their application. At the time, both democratic rights (like voting) and the protected right to property were largely reserved for white men, excluding women, enslaved people, and Indigenous populations Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Displacing Indigenous Peoples, p.140. Furthermore, while the American Declaration deeply influenced the French Revolution, the famous triad of 'Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity' is specifically French; the American document focused on the individual's right to secure happiness rather than the collective bond of 'Fraternity' found in later French and Indian constitutional models.

Sources: History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), The Age of Revolutions, p.154; Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Displacing Indigenous Peoples, p.147; Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Displacing Indigenous Peoples, p.140

7. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

Now that you have mastered the philosophical origins of modern democracy, you can see how the building blocks of Enlightenment thought—specifically the 'Natural Rights' doctrine—were crystallized in the 1776 American Declaration of Independence. This question tests your ability to distinguish between closely related political traditions. While the philosopher John Locke originally argued for the protection of 'Life, Liberty, and Property,' Thomas Jefferson famously adapted this core trinity into the 'unalienable rights' of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Recognizing this specific phrasing is the key to identifying statements 1, 2, and 3 as correct.

To arrive at the correct answer, you must apply the technique of comparative elimination. The inclusion of Fraternity (statement 4) is a classic UPSC 'distractor' designed to test your precision. As noted in Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, the ideal of Fraternity belongs to the triad of the French Revolution—Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité. While the Indian Preamble draws from both traditions, the 1776 American document did not include 'Fraternity' in its preamble. By spotting this French influence and eliminating statement 4, you are left with Option (C) as the only logical choice.

In the UPSC journey, the trap often lies in mixing 'sister' concepts. A common mistake is assuming that because 'Fraternity' is a democratic value we hold today, it must have been in the first major democratic declaration. Always ask yourself: Which specific revolution does this term belong to? By tethering Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness strictly to the American context and Fraternity to the French, you avoid the trap of modern projection and stay grounded in the historical text.