The national flag represents the dignity and prestige of the entire nation. Our national tricolour is the most powerful expression of “Unity in Diversity” beyond religion and regionalism, while tying the nation in the thread of unity. In the 75th year of independence, what can be the highest source of inspiration for the spirit of patriotism other than the national tricolor.

In the 75th year of independence under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the “Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan” is a unique initiative that calls upon the people to recognize the pride of India by waving the tricolour from their homes and establishments and to dedicate oneself wholeheartedly with their body, mind and soul to protect it. Before joining this campaign, it is very interesting to note what changes our national flag has gone through since its inception. The evolution of the Indian national flag has gone through several phases to reach the form in which it is today. In a way, it reflects the political development in the nation. Let’s know the glorious history of our national flag “Tricolour”...

The journey of the national flag

First Indian Flag: Before 1905 in Indian history there was no national flag to show the integrity of the whole of India. Sister Nivedita, a disciple of Swami Vivekananda, first envisioned a national flag for the whole of India in the year 1905 during the freedom struggle. A total of 108 lights were made in the flag made by Sister Nivedita. This flag was of square shape. The flag had two colours - red and yellow. The red colour symbolized the freedom struggle and the yellow colour was the symbol of victory. Vande-Mataram was written on the flag in Bengali language and also had a Vajra (a type of weapon) and the picture of a white lotus in the centre. Presently this flag is preserved in Acharya Bhawan Museum, Kolkata.

Saptarishi flag: Then came the flag that was hoisted at the Parsee Bagan Square, Kolkata (the then Calcutta” on 7th August 1906. The Kolkata flag was the first Indian unofficial flag. It was designed by Sachindra Prasad Bose. This flag had three equal horizontal stripes or bands of blue (uppermost), yellow (middle) and green colour. The topmost band had 8 half-open lotus flowers representing the eight provinces of British-ruled India, and the lower stripe depicted the sun on the left and a crescent moon on the right. The slogan “Vande Mataram” was inscribed in the center of the flag. Similarly, for the first time on foreign soil, the Indian flag was hoisted by Madam Bhikaji Cama on 22 August 1907 at the International Socialist Congress in Stuttgart. This flag is known as the ‘Saptarishi flag’. This flag was very similar to the flag of 1906, but in this the color of the top strip was saffron and instead of lotus, the seven stars symbolized the Saptarishi.

Flag became part of the movement: The third type of tricolour on Indian soil was hoisted during the Home Rule League. This flag was hoisted during a Congress session in Kolkata during the ‘Home Rule Movement’. At that time the flag was a symbol of the fight for the freedom struggle. It had 9 stripes, 5 in red and 4 in green. In the upper left corner of the flag was the Union Jack. In the top right corner was the crescent moon and star. The rest of the flag consisted of seven stars arranged in the form of a saptarishi.

Swaraj Flag: Subsequently, in the year 1921, Pingale Venkayya of Andhra Pradesh designed the first “Charkha-flag” in white, green and red colors as per the instructions of Gandhiji at Bijawada (now Vijayawada). This flag is known as the ‘Swaraj-flag’.

The year 1931 is a memorable year in the history of the flag. This year a resolution was passed to adopt the tricolour flag as our national flag.

This flag, which is the ancestor of the present form, was saffron, white and with Gandh’s spinning wheel in the middle.

Tricolour: After the declaration of independence of India by the British Government, Indian leaders realized the need for a national flag for independent India. Accordingly, an ad-hoc flag committee was formed to finalize the flag. The design of the national flag of independent India, presented by Smt. Suraiya Badr-ud-din Tyabji, was approved and accepted by the Flag Committee on 17 July 1947. On 22 July 1947, on the recommendation of the committee, the Constituent Assembly adopted the tricolour as the national flag of independent India. The tricolour consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width, the top of which is a saffron coloured stripe indicating the strength and courage of the country, the white stripe in the middle with the Dharma Chakra indicating peace and truth and the dark green stripe at the bottom depicts growth and fertility. In the center of the tricolour is the dark blue Ashoka Chakra in the center of the white stripe, with 24 arrows (spokes). This cycle represents 24 hours of a day and the continuous progress of our country.

Thus after many changes we finally got the tricolor flag of independent India. This glorious saga of the creation of the Indian national flag shows the unity, peace, prosperity and development of India.