Switzerland, one of the wealthiest countries on earth, granted women the right to vote in federal elections, as late as 1971.
I repeat 1971!
The Indian decision was ratified neither by referendum nor through a popularly elected body, but by the Constituent Assembly - comprised of indirectly elected and nominated representatives
We might have reached "universal adult franchise" in that scenario by maybe 2000.
The Congress party may have found the task of getting to 272 much harder if the franchise was limited to property owning population (maybe 10%) in 1952
It would have also greatly reduced the pressures of populism on policy making