New Delhi: National Flag Day, observed on July 22 every year in India, is a significant time for the nation. It is a day to celebrate and deeply contemplate the adoption of the National Flag by the Constituent Assembly in 1947. This day holds profound significance and enduring values, reminding us of the importance of our national flag.
A national flag is a visual representation and embodiment of a specific nation. The government raises it to showcase national identity, and individuals can also display it as a sign of patriotism. Crafting a national flag is a meticulous process, with each colour and symbol carrying significant meanings representing the nation’s values and history. Burning or destroying a national flag carries deep symbolic weight.
On National Flag Day 2024, let us delve into the rich history of the Indian Tricolour, a symbol that fills every Indian heart with pride and a sense of connection to our nation’s past.
National Flag Day 2024: The Evolution of Indian “Tiranaga”
The Indian Tricolour has gone through many changes since its inception. The Indian National Flag has a rich history of our struggle for freedom. It has undergone many changes to become what it is today, reflecting the nation’s political developments.
1906: Unofficial flag of India
The first national flag in India was hoisted on August 7, 1906, at the Parsee Bagan Square (Green Park) in Calcutta (now Kolkata). It consisted of three horizontal stripes of red, yellow, and green.
1907: The Berlin committee flag, first raised by Bhikaiji Cama
In 1907, Madame Cama and her exiled revolutionaries raised a flag in Paris that closely resembled the first flag. However, the top strip of the flag featured a single lotus and seven stars, representing the Saptarishi. This unique flag was also displayed at a socialist conference in Berlin.
1917: The flag used during the Home Rule Movement
In 1917, during the Home Rule movement, Dr Annie Besant and Lokmanya Tilak hoisted the third flag, signifying a definitive turn in the political struggle. This flag featured five red and four green horizontal stripes arranged alternately, adorned with seven stars in the saptarishi configuration. Additionally, it displayed the Union Jack in the top-left corner and a white crescent and star in another corner.
1921: The flag was unofficially adopted
During the All India Congress Committee session, which met at Bezwada (now Vijayawada) in 1921, an Andhra youth prepared a flag and took it to Mahatma Gandhi. The red and green flag represented the two major communities—Hindus and Muslims. Mahatma Gandhi suggested adding a white strip to represent the remaining communities of India, and the spinning wheel was chosen to symbolise the nation’s progress.
1931: The flag was adopted in 1931 and also served as the battle ensign of the Indian National Army
In 1931, a significant moment occurred in the history of the national flag. A resolution was approved, establishing a tricolour flag as the official national flag. This precursor to the current flag consisted of saffron, white, and green, with Mahatma Gandhi’s spinning wheel at its centre. Importantly, it was emphasised that the flag held no religious or communal connotations and should be universally interpreted as such.
The present Tricolour flag of India
The Constituent Assembly was formed a few days before India gained independence in August 1947. On June 23, 1947, Rajendra Prasad headed an ad hoc committee that, spearheaded by Rajendra Prasad, cited a flag for independent members such as Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sarojini Naidu, C Rajagopalachari, KM Munshi, and BR Ambedkar.
On July 14, 1947, the committee recommended that the flag of the Indian National Congress be adopted as the National Flag of India with suitable modifications to make it acceptable to all parties and communities. The Ashoka Chakra replaced the Congress flag’s spinning wheel. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan explained that the chakra symbolised dharma and law, while Jawaharlal Nehru noted its practical, symmetrical design. Gandhi initially didn’t like the change but later accepted it.
On July 22, 1947, during the Constituent Assembly meeting, Jawaharlal Nehru proposed the design of the Indian national flag. The flag, a powerful symbol of our unity and inclusivity, consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width – deep saffron at the top, white in the middle, and dark green at the bottom. In the centre of the white stripe sits the Ashoka Chakra in navy blue. This iconic design, which represents our diverse yet united nation, has continued to be the flag of the Republic of India since its adoption.
The national flag of India, known as the ‘Tiranga’, was adopted on July 22, 1947, by the Constituent Assembly and became the official flag of the Dominion of India on August 15 1947. It is often called the “tricolour” in India and is based on the Swaraj flag designed by Pingali Venkayya for the Indian National Congress. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
