India’s national flag, widely recognized as the tricolor, stands as more than just a piece of cloth. It embodies the essence of the nation’s identity, values, and collective aspirations. The flag’s journey and its evolving significance trace the arc of India’s struggle for independence, ultimately reflecting the country’s dedication to unity and democratic ideals.
Early Efforts: The Flags of the Freedom Movement
The idea of a national flag for India began to take shape during the country’s fight against British colonial rule. The first notable flag was hoisted in 1906 in Calcutta (now Kolkata), designed by Indian nationalists inspired by the growing independence movement. This flag had three horizontal stripes of green, yellow, and red, adorned with eight white lotuses on the green stripe, a sun and crescent moon on the red stripe, and the words “Vande Mataram” prominently displayed at the center.
Madame Bhikaji Cama, a key figure in the freedom struggle, introduced a revised version of this flag in 1907, which became known as the “Berlin Committee Flag.” While it retained the three stripes, the colors were altered to green, saffron, and red. The new design also included symbols like the crescent and star, representing the Hindu and Muslim communities, along with the inscription “Bande Mataram.”
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The Path to the Tricolor
The pursuit of a unifying national flag continued, with further developments during the Home Rule Movement in 1917, led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant. They introduced a new flag featuring red and green stripes to represent Hindus and Muslims, along with a Union Jack in the top left corner. However, this flag did not gain widespread acceptance.
A significant milestone was reached in 1921 when Pingali Venkayya, a freedom fighter, proposed a new design to the Indian National Congress. This design, which Mahatma Gandhi approved, featured red, green, and white stripes with a spinning wheel (Charkha) at the center, symbolizing self-reliance and the swadeshi movement. This concept laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the Tricolour.
The Final Design and Official Adoption
In 1931, the Indian National Congress formally adopted the tricolor as its flag. This version had saffron, white, and green stripes, with the Charkha at the center. The saffron symbolized courage and sacrifice, white represented peace and truth, and green stood for faith and chivalry.
As independence neared in 1947, the Constituent Assembly formed a committee to finalize the national flag. The committee decided to retain the Tricolor but replaced the Charkha with the Ashoka Chakra, a 24-spoke wheel derived from the Lion Capital of Ashoka, representing righteousness and progress.
On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly officially adopted the tricolor as the national flag of India, cementing it as a symbol of the nation’s unity and sovereignty.
The Flag’s Role in Independent India
Since its adoption, the tricolor has become a powerful symbol of India’s unity, sovereignty, and commitment to democratic values. The flag’s use, display, and treatment are governed by the Flag Code of India, which outlines the appropriate ways to honor the national flag. In 2002, the Flag Code was amended to allow private citizens to hoist the national flag on any day, reflecting an expanded sense of patriotism.
Today, the tricolor remains central to India’s national identity, representing the nation’s journey from colonial oppression to sovereign independence, and its enduring dedication to democracy and unity.
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