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The Indian National Flag stands as a powerful symbol of national pride and respect. As Jawaharlal Nehru, the former Prime Minister, once said, it represents freedom for India and all its people.
As per Indian laws, the flag must be made of khadi, and its usage is governed by the Flag Code of India. Initially, private citizens were permitted to use the flag only on Republic Day and Independence Day. However, the Union Cabinet later revised the rules, offering greater flexibility regarding how the flag can be displayed and used.
Commonly referred to as the Tiranga (meaning “three colours”), the flag consists of a horizontal tricolour: deep saffron at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom. The flag’s proportions maintain a 2:3 ratio, with the width being twice the length. In the centre of the white band is the Dharma Chakra, a navy blue wheel with 24 spokes, symbolizing the Wheel of Law.
Blank India Flag for Kids
Significance of Indian National Flag colours:
- Saffron: Saffron symbolizes courage and sacrifice.
- White: White represents honesty, peace, and purity, highlighting the significance of fostering peace within the nation.
- Green: Green signifies faith and bravery, symbolizing prosperity, vitality, and life.
- Ashoka Chakra: The Ashoka Chakra, also referred to as the Dharma Chakra or Wheel of Law features 24 spokes and appears in several of Ashoka’s edicts.
History of the Indian National Flag
The Indian National Flag represents India’s long struggle for freedom and its identity as an independent republic. It was officially adopted on July 22, 1947, during a Constitutional Assembly meeting. Since then, it has been the flag of India, first as the Dominion of India from August 15, 1947, to January 26, 1950, and later as the Republic of India. Designed by Pingali Venkayya, the flag features three equal horizontal stripes of saffron, white, and green.
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 with three horizontal stripes: blue on top, yellow in the middle, and red at the bottom. The blue stripe featured eight stars of different shapes, while the red stripe displayed a sun and a crescent with a star. The yellow stripe had “Vande Mataram” inscribed in Devanagari script.
That same year, another version, known as the Calcutta Flag or Lotus Flag, was created. This flag had orange, yellow, and green stripes with eight half-open lotuses. Designed by Sachindra Prasad Bose and Sukumar Mitra, it was first hoisted on August 7, 1906, at Parsi Bagan Square, Kolkata. Sir Surendranath Banerjee raised this flag during “Boycott Day” as a protest against the partition of Bengal and to inspire national unity.
Indian flag in 1906:
After Sister Nivedita’s flag, a new tricolour flag was introduced in 1906. It featured three horizontal stripes: blue at the top, yellow in the middle, and red at the bottom. The blue stripe displayed eight uniquely shaped stars, while the red stripe had a sun and a crescent with a star. The yellow stripe was inscribed with “Vande Mataram” in Devanagari script.
Later that year, another tricolour flag was designed with orange, yellow, and green stripes. Known as the “Calcutta Flag” or “Lotus Flag,” it featured eight half-open lotuses. Created by Sachindra Prasad Bose and Sukumar Mitra, this flag was first hoisted on August 7, 1906, at Parsi Bagan Square, Kolkata. The occasion, observed as “Boycott Day,” was a protest against the partition of Bengal. Sir Surendranath Banerjee raised the flag, symbolizing India’s unity and resistance.
Indian flag in 1907 To 1916:
In 1907, Madam Bhikaji Rustom Cama introduced a new Indian flag, co-designed with Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (Veer Savarkar) and Shyamji Krishna Varma. She unfurled this flag on August 22, 1907, in Stuttgart, Germany, marking the first time an Indian flag was hoisted on foreign soil. Due to this historic event, the flag became known as the “Berlin Committee Flag.” It featured three colours: green at the top, golden saffron in the middle, and red at the bottom.
In 1916, Pingali Venkayya, a writer and geophysicist, designed a new flag to unite the nation. He presented his design to Mahatma Gandhi, who suggested adding a charkha (spinning wheel) to represent India’s economic revival. In response, Pingali Venkayya created a Khadi flag, made of hand-spun yarn, featuring two colours with a charkha across them. However, Mahatma Gandhi disapproved of the design, as he felt it needed to represent all communities in India, rather than just Hindus and Muslims, as suggested by the red and green colours.
Indian Flag in 1917 :
In 1917, the Home Rule League, led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, introduced a new flag as part of the movement demanding Dominion status for India. This flag featured the Union Jack in the top corner near the hoist. The rest of the design included five red and four blue stripes, with seven stars arranged in the shape of the Saptarishi constellation, which holds sacred significance in Hinduism. Additionally, a crescent moon and a star were placed at the top fly end. However, despite its symbolic elements, this flag did not gain widespread popularity among the people.
Indian Flag in 1921:
Mahatma Gandhi envisioned a flag that would represent all communities of India, leading to the creation of a new design. This flag featured three horizontal colours: white at the top, green in the middle, and red at the bottom. The white represented India’s minority communities, the green symbolized Muslims, and the red stood for Hindus and Sikhs. A Charkha (spinning wheel) was placed across all three bands, symbolizing unity and self-reliance. The design was inspired by the Irish flag, as Ireland was also fighting for independence from British rule. Although the Congress Committee did not officially adopt this flag, it became a powerful symbol of nationalism during India’s freedom struggle.
Indian Flag in 1931:
Dissatisfaction with the religious symbolism of the earlier flag led to the creation of a new design. In this version, red was replaced with ochre, symbolizing the shared spiritual heritage of Hindu yogis and Muslim darvesh. However, the Sikh community sought either representation on the flag or the removal of religious colours altogether. In response, Pingali Venkayya designed another flag featuring three horizontal stripes: saffron at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom, with a Charkha (spinning wheel) in the centre. This flag was approved by the Congress Committee in 1931 and became its official emblem.
Indian Flag in 1947:
Concerned about the religious symbolism in the previous flag, many sought a new design. In this version, red was replaced with ochre, symbolizing the shared spiritual essence of Hindu yogis and Muslim darvesh. However, the Sikh community requested either their inclusion on the flag or the removal of religious colours. To address this, Pingali Venkayya created a flag with three horizontal stripes: saffron at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom, featuring a Charkha (spinning wheel) in the centre. This design was approved by the Congress Committee in 1931 and became its official flag.
British India Flag 1858-1947:
The 1858 flag of British India followed Western heraldic traditions, resembling those of other British colonies like Canada and Australia. It had a blue background with the Union Flag in the upper-left corner and a Star of India crowned with the royal emblem, positioned at the centre-right.
- Manufacturing of the Indian National Flag: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) sets strict guidelines for the manufacturing of the Indian flag. These regulations define the fabric, dye, colour, thread count, and hoisting rules. The Indian flag must be made exclusively from Khadi, a hand-spun fabric. Two types of Khadi are used—one for the main body of the flag and another for the cloth strip that secures it to the flagstaff.
Code of Conduct of the Tiranga flag
The Indian flag is a national symbol that commands deep respect from every citizen. To uphold its dignity, specific guidelines must be followed. Here are some essential dos and don’ts to ensure proper usage.
- When hoisting the National Flag, the saffron-coloured band must always be positioned at the top.
- No flag or emblem should be placed higher than the National Flag or positioned to its right.
- When flags are arranged in a line, the National Flag must always be positioned on the right, with all other flags placed to its left.
- During a procession or parade, the National Flag should be carried on the right side of the march or placed at the front centre if accompanied by other flags.
- The National Flag is usually hoisted on key government buildings, including Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, Supreme Court, High Courts, Secretariats, and Commissioners’ offices.
- The National Flag or its replicas must not be used for commercial or professional purposes in any form.
- The National Flag must be respectfully lowered at sunset each day.
Some Interesting Facts about the National Flag-
- On May 29, 1953, the Indian Flag was proudly unfurled atop Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.
- On August 22, 1907, Madam Bhikaji Rustom Cama became the first to raise the Indian flag on foreign soil in Stuttgart, Germany.
- In 1984, the Indian National Flag journeyed to space when Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut, carried it as a medallion on his space suit.
- The National Flag at Central Park, Connaught Place, New Delhi, is among the largest in India. It spans 90 feet in length and 60 feet in width, proudly hoisted on a towering 207-foot flagpole.
- In December 2014, India achieved a world record for the largest human flag. In Chennai, a massive formation of 50,000 volunteers came together to create this historic flag display.
Conclusion
The Indian National Flag, known as the Tiranga, is a powerful symbol of India’s independence and unity. Its vibrant tricolour—saffron, white, and green—along with the Ashoka Chakra in navy blue, represents the nation’s core values and rich heritage. The saffron at the top stands for courage and sacrifice, the white in the middle signifies peace and purity, while the green at the bottom symbolizes faith and prosperity. The Ashoka Chakra, with its 24 spokes, embodies the eternal wheel of law.
Formally adopted in 1947, the Tiranga has undergone several changes, reflecting India’s journey to independence. Every element of the flag has been thoughtfully designed, and strict regulations ensure that it is treated with the utmost respect. Displayed prominently on government buildings and during national celebrations, the flag is a mark of sovereignty and national pride.
From its historical evolution to modern-day protocols, the Tiranga holds a sacred place in the hearts of every Indian. It continues to be a symbol of unity, patriotism, and inspiration, reminding citizens of the nation’s glorious past and promising future.
