Little Known Facts About History Of Indian Tricolor - And Why They Matter

The Indian National Flag symbolises national pride and is one of the most respectable national symbols. The late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru called it "a flag not only of freedom for ourselves, but a symbol of freedom to all people." 

As per the Indian laws, the national flag is to be made up of khadi. The Flag Code of India governs the usage of the flag. Initially the use of flag by private citizens was prohibited except on national days like Republic Day and Independence Day. But gradually some changes were made by the Union Cabinet about the usage of flag by private citizens. The code was amended about its usage for hoisting and its adaptation on other types of clothes.

The Indian national flag is popularly known as Tiranga which means "3 colours". It is a horizontal tricolour in equal proportion of deep saffron at the top, white in the middle and green at the bottom. The ratio of the width to the length of the flag is 2:3. At the center of the white band, is a wheel with 24 spokes in navy blue colour that indicates the Dharma Chakra (the wheel of law).

The colours of the flag have a significance of their own:

Saffron: Saffron is the upper most colour of the flag and is a symbol of courage and selflessness. 

White: The white colour in the Tiranga represents honesty, peace and purity. It highlights the importance of maintaining peace in the country.

Green: The green colour of the flag represents faith and chivalry. It is a symbolism of prosperity, vibrance and life. 

AshokaChakra: The Ashoka Chakra or the Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Law) has 24 spokes and appears on the number of edicts of Ashoka. 

Evolution of the Tricolour

It is really amazing to see the various changes that our National Flag went through since its first inception. It was recognised during our national struggle for freedom. The evolution of the Indian National Flag cross through many changes to arrive at what it is today. In one way it reflects the political developments in the nation.

Unofficial flag of India in 1906

The first national flag in India is said to have been raise on August 7, 1906, in the Parsee Bagan Square (Green Park) in Calcutta now Kolkata. The flag was composed of 3 horizontal strips of red, yellow and green. 

The Berlin committee flag, first raised by Bhikaiji Cama in 1907

The second flag was raise in Paris by Madame Cama and her band of exiled revolutionaries in 1907. This was very similar to the first flag except that the top strip had only one lotus but 7 stars denoting the Saptarishi. This flag was also exhibited at a socialist conference in Berlin. 

The flag used during the Home Rule movement in 1917

The third flag went up in 1917 when our political struggle had taken a definite turn. Dr. Annie Besant and Lokmanya Tilak hoisted it during the Home rule movement. This flag had 5 red and 4 green horizontal strips arranged alternately, with 7 stars in the saptarishi configuration super-imposed on them. In the left-hand top corner (the pole end) was the Union Jack. There was also a white curved and star in one corner. 

The flag unofficially adopted in 1921

During the session of the All India Congress Committee which met at Bezwada in 1921 (now Vijayawada) an Andhra youth prepared a flag and took it to Gandhiji. It was made up of 2 colours-red and green-representing the two major communities i.e. Hindus and Muslims. Gandhiji suggested the addition of a white strip to represent the remaining communities of India and the spinning wheel to symbolise progress of the Nation.

The flag adopted in 1931. This flag was also the battle ensign of the Indian National Army

The year 1931 was a landmark in the history of the flag. A resolution was passed adopting a tricolor flag as our national flag. This flag, the forbear of the present one, was saffron, white and green with Mahatma Gandhi's spinning wheel at the center. It was, however, clearly stated that it bore no communal significance and was to be interpreted thus. 

The present Tricolour flag of India

On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly adopted it as Free India National Flag. After the arrive of Independence, the colours and their significance remained the same. Only the Dharma Charkha of Emperor Asoka was adopted in place of the spinning wheel as the emblem on the flag. Thus, the tricolour flag of the Congress Party eventually became the tricolour flag of Independent India.