History to Present: Design of The Indian Flag
The National Flag of India, in its present form, was adopted on July 22, 1947. In its evolution, lies the different phases of the fight for independence and in its unfurling lies the story of India’s freedom. The evolution of the Indian Flag is a fascinating journey that reflects the country’s struggle for independence and its cultural identity.
On the 76th Republic Day, we look back at the evolution of the Indian National Flag in its infamous tri-color.
The visual image of the flag represents the nation and to remember its history is to recall the ideologies of the past, and the struggle to waver a free flag. Flags foster feelings of patriotism and can be used as a symbol to represent India. The colors used in the flag become symbolical and the image of the nation evolves with this artistic symbol of, a fabric.
From 1906 to 1947
The Indian National Flag has undergone many changes, with color, texture and design. Starting with the the struggle to independence, the flag evolved with the idea of nationalism.
In 1906, during the Swadeshi and Boycott struggle, a flag of India was hoisted for the first time in the Parsee Bagan Square in Calcutta (present-day Kolkata).
In 1907, a similar flag with slight modifications was raised by Madam Bhikaji Cama in Paris. This flag was also exhibited in Berlin at a socialist conference and thus came to be called the Berlin Committee Flag.
In 1917, as a part of the Home Rule Movement, Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak hoisted another flag. The flag signified autonomous rule for Indians within the Colonial Empire.
In 1921, at the Bezwada (now Vijayawada) session of Congress, a young freedom fighter Pingali Venkaiah, presented a design of a flag to Mahatma Gandhi. The flag consisted of three stripes representing multiple communities living in harmony in India. A spinning wheel was superimposed in the center, signifying the country’s progress.
In 1931, a formal resolution was passed adopting Pingali Vekaiah’s flag with a little modification. While the white and green remained, the red was replaced by saffron. The saffron was for courage, white for peace and green for fertility and growth.
Finally, in July 1947, the Constituent Assembly formally adopted the flag of free India. The spinning wheel was replaced by the Dharma Chakra of Emperor Ashoka, symbolizing truth and life. This came to be called the Tiranga.
The Contemporary Indian National Flag
Each iteration of the flag represents India’s evolving aspirations and unity in diversity, culminating in the Tricolor, a proud symbol of independent India.
The flag’s design is simple yet profound in its symbolism. It consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width. The top stripe, in saffron, stands for courage, sacrifice, and the collective strength of the Indian people. The middle stripe, in white, symbolizes peace, truth, and purity. The bottom stripe, in green, represents fertility, growth, and the prosperity of the land. At the center of the white stripe is the Ashoka Chakra, a navy-blue, 24-spoke wheel that is derived from the Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Law) found on the Lion Capital of Ashoka in Sarnath. The Ashoka Chakra signifies justice, progress, and the relentless motion of life, urging the nation to move forward with determination and harmony.
The flag’s proportions are meticulously defined, with a length-to-breadth ratio of 3:2. While originally required to be made from khadi, the handspun fabric synonymous with India’s swadeshi movement, khadi used to be the official material for the flag, symbolizing self-reliance and the spirit of independence. The colors of the flag are standardized to ensure consistency and uniformity, maintaining the dignity and honor of this national symbol.
The Flag Code of India, along with other laws concerning national emblems, governs the usage of the national flag. Initially, the code prohibited private citizens from using the flag, except on national occasions like Independence Day and Republic Day. However, in 2002, following an appeal by private citizen Naveen Jindal, the Supreme Court of India directed the government to amend the code to permit flag usage by private individuals. In response, the Union Cabinet revised the code to allow restricted usage. The code was further amended in 2005 to permit additional uses, including incorporating the flag into certain types of clothing. It also sets out guidelines for how the flag should be flown and how it should be displayed alongside other national and non-national flags. Now that the Republic Day is approaching, you can see many many people on the road, essentially beggars or roadside performers, hoisting the Indian National Flag for to sell it.
Source: Ministry of Culture
Image sources- NDTV
Image featured- Babra Shafiqi.
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