The Indian national flag, known as the Tiranga (meaning “tricolor”), has a rich history reflecting India’s struggle for independence and its cultural identity. Here’s a concise overview:
Evolution of the Indian Flag:
- Early Flags (Pre-1906):
- Before a unified national flag, various regional and revolutionary groups used their own banners during the fight against British colonial rule.
- In 1904, Sister Nivedita, a disciple of Swami Vivekananda, designed a flag with a thunderbolt symbol, but it wasn’t widely adopted.
- First National Flag (1906 – Calcutta Flag):
- Proposed during the Swadeshi movement, this flag was hoisted in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on August 7, 1906.
- It had three horizontal stripes: green (top, with eight lotuses for eight provinces), yellow (middle, with “Vande Mataram” in Hindi), and red (bottom, with a crescent and sun).
- Madame Cama’s Flag (1907):
- Raised by Bhikaiji Cama in Stuttgart, Germany, at an international socialist conference.
- Similar to the Calcutta Flag but with slight changes: green (top, with lotuses), saffron (middle), and red (bottom, with a crescent and sun).
- It symbolized defiance against British rule on an international stage.
- Home Rule Movement Flag (1917):
- Designed by Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak during the Home Rule Movement.
- It had five red and four green horizontal stripes, seven stars (representing the Saptarishi constellation), a crescent moon, and a Union Jack in the corner, reflecting a demand for self-governance within the British Empire.
- Pingali Venkayya’s Flag (1921):
- Designed by Pingali Venkayya, a freedom fighter, and presented to Mahatma Gandhi.
- It had two colors: saffron (top) and green (bottom), with a charkha (spinning wheel) in the center, symbolizing self-reliance and the Swadeshi movement.
- This flag became the basis for future designs.
- Flag of 1931:
- Adopted by the Indian National Congress, this flag was a precursor to the modern Tiranga.
- It had three horizontal stripes: saffron (top, for courage), white (middle, for peace and truth), and green (bottom, for faith and prosperity), with a navy-blue charkha in the center.
- This design was widely accepted and used during the independence movement.
- Current National Flag (1947):
- On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly adopted the current flag, designed by Pingali Venkayya, just before India’s independence on August 15, 1947.
- Design:
- Saffron (top): Courage and sacrifice.
- White (middle): Peace and truth.
- Green (bottom): Faith and fertility.
- Navy-blue Ashoka Chakra (center): A 24-spoke wheel, symbolizing progress, righteousness, and the eternal wheel of law (Dharma), inspired by the Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath.
- The charkha was replaced with the Ashoka Chakra to make the flag more inclusive and avoid religious or political connotations.
Key Milestones:
- Flag Code of India (2002):
- Before 2002, private citizens could not hoist the flag except on specific occasions. The Flag Code of India, amended after a legal battle led by Naveen Jindal, allowed citizens to hoist the flag respectfully on any day, subject to guidelines.
- The flag must be made of hand-spun, hand-woven khadi or cotton, silk, or wool, though machine-made flags are now permitted for mass production.
- Manufacturing and Standards:
- The flag is manufactured primarily at the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha in Hubli, Karnataka, ensuring adherence to strict Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications.
- The ratio of the flag is 2:3, and specific shades of saffron, green, white, and navy blue are mandated.
Symbolism and Legacy:
- The Tiranga is a powerful symbol of India’s unity, diversity, and sovereignty.
- It reflects the sacrifices of freedom fighters and the values of courage, peace, and progress.
- The flag is hoisted on national holidays like Independence Day (August 15) and Republic Day (January 26), and it holds a place of pride in Indian culture and identity.
Recent Developments:
- In 2022, as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (celebrating 75 years of independence), citizens were encouraged to hoist the flag at homes to promote patriotism.
- Discussions on social media platforms like X highlight ongoing pride in the flag and debates about its respectful use, with some users sharing historical anecdotes about its evolution.
If you’d like specific details, such as the flag’s dimensions, color codes, or more about its use in modern India, let me know!
