All about the Indian National flag: Tiranga flag

The Indian National Flag is a symbol of national pride and respect. As former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru said, it represents freedom for India and all people.

According to Indian laws, the flag must be made of khadi, and the Flag Code of India regulates its use. Initially, private citizens could only use the flag during Republic Day and Independence Day. However, the Union Cabinet later updated the rules to allow more flexibility in how the flag can be used and displayed.

The flag, commonly known as the Tiranga, which means “three colors,” features a horizontal tricolor of deep saffron on the top, white in the middle, and green on the bottom. The flag’s width is twice its length, maintaining a 2:3 ratio. In the center of the white band is a navy blue wheel with 24 spokes, called the Dharma Chakra, which symbolizes the Wheel of Law.

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Blank India Flag for Kids

Significance of Indian National Flag colours:

Saffron: Saffron represents courage and sacrifice.

White: White symbolizes honesty, peace, and purity. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining peace in the country.

Green: Green stands for faith and bravery. It symbolizes prosperity, vitality, and life.

Ashoka Chakra: The Ashoka Chakra, also known as the Dharma Chakra or Wheel of Law, has 24 spokes and is featured in many of Ashoka’s edicts.

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History of the Indian National Flag

The Indian National Flag symbolizes India’s long fight for freedom and its status as an independent republic. It was officially adopted during a Constitutional Assembly meeting on July 22, 1947. Since then, it has been the flag of India, first for the Dominion of India from August 15, 1947, to January 26, 1950, and then for the Republic of India. Designed by Pingali Venkayya, the flag features three equal horizontal stripes in saffron, white, and green.

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The history of the Indian National Flag over the years:

Indian flag in 1904-06 

After Sister Nivedita’s flag, another Indian flag was designed in 1906. This flag had three equal horizontal stripes: blue (top), yellow (middle), and red (bottom). The blue stripe featured eight stars of various shapes. The red stripe included a sun and a crescent with a star, while the yellow stripe had the words “Vande Mataram” written in Devanagari script.

In the same year, a different version of the flag was created. This one had orange, yellow, and green stripes and was known as the “Calcutta flag” or “Lotus flag” because it featured eight half-open lotuses. Designed by Sachindra Prasad Bose and Sukumar Mitra, it was first displayed on August 7, 1906, at Parsi Bagan Square in Kolkata. Sir Surendranath Banerjee raised this flag during “Boycott Day” to protest the partition of Bengal and to promote unity in India.

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Indian flag in 1906:

After Sister Nivedita’s flag, a new flag was designed in 1906. This flag had three horizontal stripes: blue on top, yellow in the middle, and red on the bottom. The blue stripe featured eight stars of different shapes. The red stripe displayed a sun and a crescent with a star, while the yellow stripe had “Vande Mataram” written in Devanagari script.

Later in the same year, another tricolor flag was created with orange, yellow, and green stripes. This version, known as the “Calcutta flag” or “Lotus flag,” featured eight half-open lotuses. Designed by Sachindra Prasad Bose and Sukumar Mitra, it was first raised on August 7, 1906, at Parsi Bagan Square in Kolkata. This event, observed as “Boycott Day” to protest the partition of Bengal, was marked by Sir Surendranath Banerjee’s hoisting of the flag to symbolize India’s unity.

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Indian flag in 1907 To 1916:

In 1907, Madam Bhikaji Rustom Cama introduced a new flag, which she designed along with Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (Veer Savarkar) and Shyamji Krishna Varma. Madam Cama unfurled this flag on August 22, 1907, in Stuttgart, Germany, making it the first Indian flag hoisted on foreign soil. This event led to the flag being known as the “Berlin Committee flag.” The flag featured three colors: green at the top, golden saffron in the middle, and red at the bottom.

In 1916, Pingali Venkayya, a writer and geophysicist, designed a flag to unite the nation. He presented his design to Mahatma Gandhi, who suggested adding a charkha (spinning wheel) to symbolize India’s economic revival. Pingali then created a flag called ‘Khadi,’ made of hand-spun yarn. The flag featured two colors with a charkha across them, but Mahatma Gandhi did not approve of it. He believed the flag needed to represent all communities in India, not just Hindus and Muslims, as implied by the red and green colors.

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Indian Flag in 1917 :

In 1917, the Home Rule League, led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, introduced a new flag as part of the demand for Dominion status for India. The flag featured the Union Jack in the top corner near the hoist. The rest of the flag had five red and four blue stripes, along with seven stars arranged in the shape of the ‘Saptarishi’ constellation, which holds sacred significance for Hindus. A crescent moon and a star were also placed at the top fly end. However, this flag did not become widely popular among the people.

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Indian Flag in 1921:

Mahatma Gandhi wanted a flag that represented all the communities of India, so a new design was created. This flag featured three colors: white at the top, green in the middle, and red at the bottom. The white color symbolized India’s minority communities, the green represented Muslims, and the red represented Hindus and Sikhs. A ‘Charkha’ (spinning wheel) was placed across all the bands, symbolizing the unity of these communities. The design of this flag was inspired by the Irish flag, as Ireland was also fighting for independence from Britain. Although the Congress Committee did not officially adopt this flag, it became a recognized symbol of nationalism during India’s struggle for freedom.

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Indian Flag in 1931:

Some people were unhappy with the religious symbolism of the earlier flag, so a new design was created. In this version, red was replaced with ochre, representing the shared spirit of Hindu yogis and Muslim darvesh. However, the Sikh community wanted either their representation on the flag or the removal of religious colors altogether. In response, Pingali Venkayya designed another flag with three colors: saffron at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom, with a ‘Charkha’ (spinning wheel) in the center. This flag was approved by the Congress Committee in 1931 and became the official flag of the Committee.

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Indian Flag in 1947:

Some people were unhappy with the religious symbolism of the earlier flag, so a new design was created. In this version, red was replaced with ochre, representing the shared spirit of Hindu yogis and Muslim darvesh. However, the Sikh community wanted either their representation on the flag or the removal of religious colors altogether. In response, Pingali Venkayya designed another flag with three colors: saffron at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom, with a ‘Charkha’ (spinning wheel) in the center. This flag was approved by the Congress Committee in 1931 and became the official flag of the Committee.

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British India Flag 1858-1947:

The flag introduced by British India in 1858 followed Western heraldic traditions and was similar to the flags of other British colonies, such as Canada and Australia. It featured a blue background with the Union Flag in the upper-left corner and a Star of India topped by the royal crown in the center of the right side.

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Manufacturing of the Indian National Flag: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) establishes guidelines for manufacturing the Indian flag. These standards cover the fabric, dye, color, thread count, and the rules for hoisting the flag. The Indian flag must be made exclusively from Khadi, a hand-spun fabric. Two types of Khadi are used: one for the main part of the flag and another for the cloth that attaches it to the staff.

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Code of Conduct of the Tiranga flag

The flag is a national symbol that holds a deep respect for every Indian. There are specific guidelines that everyone should follow regarding its use. Here are some important dos and don’ts:

• When the National Flag is hoisted, the saffron-colored band must always be at the top.

• No flag or emblem should be positioned above the National Flag or to its right.

• When flags are displayed in a line, all other flags should be placed to the left of the National Flag.

• When the National Flag is part of a procession or parade, it should be positioned on the right side of the march or at the front center if other flags are in line.

• The National Flag should typically be displayed on important government buildings, such as the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Parliament House, the Supreme Court of India, High Courts, Secretariats, and Commissioners’ offices.

• The National Flag or any copy of it should not be used for commercial or professional purposes.

• The National Flag should be taken down at sunset each evening.

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Some Interesting Facts about the National Flag-

• On May 29, 1953, the Indian flag was proudly hoisted on Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world.

• On August 22, 1907, Madam Bhikaji Rustom Cama was the first to hoist the Indian flag on foreign soil in Stuttgart, Germany.

• In 1984, the Indian National Flag reached space when Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian astronaut, wore it as a medallion on his space suit.

• The National Flag at Central Park, Connaught Place, New Delhi, is one of the largest in India. It measures 90 feet in length and 60 feet in width, and it is flown from a 207-foot-tall flagpole.

• India set the world record for the largest human flag in December 2014. In Chennai, 50,000 volunteers created this massive flag.

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Conclusion

The Indian National Flag, known as the Tiranga, profoundly symbolizes India’s independence and unity. Its vibrant saffron, white, and green tricolor, combined with the Ashoka Chakra in navy blue, represents the nation’s values and heritage. The saffron at the top symbolizes courage and sacrifice, the white in the middle stands for peace and purity, and the green at the bottom signifies faith and prosperity. The Ashoka Chakra, with its 24 spokes, represents the eternal wheel of law.

Adopted in its current form in 1947, the Tiranga has evolved through various stages, reflecting the country’s journey towards independence. Its design has been carefully regulated to ensure respect and adherence to its significance. The flag is flown proudly over important buildings and during significant national events, symbolizing India’s sovereignty and pride.

From historical flags to modern regulations, the Tiranga holds a revered place in Indian hearts and continues to inspire national pride and unity.

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