A brief timeline of Hindi as an official language
1946-1949: debates in constituent assemblies regarding various issues one of which was National language.
Since India was a diverse country and the most spoken language was Hindi it. Finally, it was decided that Hindi can be accorded the status of the official language (Article 343) but not the National language.
1950: the constitution mentions the use of Hindi in the Devanagari script and English as the official language for the next 15 years. (English was seen as a symbol of slavery and imperialism by some members of the constituent assembly). Parliament may by law decide the use of English after 15 years.
1963: before the lapse of 15 years parliament passed the Official Language Act 1963 to allow the continued use of English because some states like Tamil Nadu requested so.
