The Indian Tricolour, also known as the Tiranga, has been the national flag of India since 1947 and is a symbol of national pride and unity for its citizens. It is a horizontal tricolor with the saffron colour at the top, white in the middle, and dark green at the bottom, each colour has its significance. While the current design of the Indian Tricolour was adopted in 1947, its origin and evolution can be traced to the years preceding India’s independence from British rule. In this blog post, we will explore the history of the Indian Tricolour and the significance it holds today.
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The first iteration: the Flag of India
The Flag of India is based on a flag first hoisted by the Indian National Congress in 1921. The original flag was composed of two horizontal red and green stripes, with seven stars arranged in a ‘Saptarishi’ constellation. It served as a symbol of the Indian independence movement and was designed by Pingali Venkayya.
At the time, the red represented the Hindus, the green represented Muslims, and the stars symbolized the seven new provinces of British India. This early version of the Indian tricolor was not officially recognized by the Government of India until 1947 when it became the official flag of an independent India.
The stars on this flag were replaced with a white wheel, known as the ‘Ashoka Chakra’, which symbolized peace, justice, and progress. While the wheel remained in its place for some time, it was eventually replaced by the three-colored tricolour that is used today.
The second iteration: the addition of white
The Flag of India has gone through several modifications since its first inception. One of the most notable changes was in 1947 when a white stripe was added to the Flag of India. The white stripe was added to represent the peace and truth associated with the country. It was also meant to symbolize the unity of the nation and its commitment to democracy. The addition of white had been suggested by Mahatma Gandhi as a way to show the country’s commitment to religious harmony.
The white stripe was added between the saffron and green stripes, symbolizing Dharma (truth), Satya (truthfulness), and Rastra Bhava (national spirit). This second iteration of the Indian tricolour became popularly known as “Tiranga” or “Tricolour”. The new tricolour was chosen as the National Flag of India in 1947 when India became an independent nation.
Today, the Flag of India is seen as a symbol of unity and national pride. The colors of the flag stand for courage, sacrifice, and peace, while the white stripe stands for purity, truth, and tolerance. Altogether, these colors represent the values that Indians hold dear and strive to uphold.
The third iteration: the current flag
The current Indian Tricolour was adopted in 1947 after India achieved its independence from Britain. The flag has three horizontal stripes of saffron, white and green. In the center of the white stripe is a blue wheel, called the Ashoka Chakra. The Chakra is 24 spoke wheel and is derived from a symbol that appears on several ancient Indian coins.
The saffron stripe symbolizes courage and sacrifice, white represents truth and peace, and green stands for faith and prosperity. The Ashoka Chakra signifies progress and justice. Together, these colors represent the core values of the nation: unity, liberty, and justice.
The Indian Tricolour is also used by many Indian-American organizations to express their pride in both their American and Indian heritages. This flag is seen during parades, festivals, and during other celebratory events. It is also flown with pride by many members of the Indian-American community who have made a home in the United States.
The significance of the flag today
The Indian tricolour has come to represent the values of independence and unity within the country. It stands for peace, progress, and prosperity, as well as being a symbol of national pride and patriotism. The three colours are a reminder of the diverse cultures of India, with each colour having its distinct meaning. The saffron represents courage and sacrifice, the white stands for truth and peace, and the green symbolizes faith and fertility. The Ashoka Chakra in the center is a reminder of law, justice, and righteousness.
The Indian tricolour is also seen as a sign of hope, particularly among the younger generations. It is seen as a representation of an ideal nation that is moving forward and united in its diversity. It is used to celebrate many national holidays and events, such as Republic Day and Independence Day, and it is also found on all kinds of merchandise across the country. The Indian tricolour is a powerful symbol that is sure to continue to represent India’s values of independence and unity for many years to come.
The meaning of the colours
The Indian Tricolour is made up of three vertical bands in the colours saffron, white, and green. Saffron is a deep orange colour, representing courage and sacrifice. White represents truth and purity, while green represents faith and fertility. Each colour also has a religious significance: saffron stands for Hinduism, white for Islam, and green for Sikhism. This combination of colours reflects the diverse cultural and religious makeup of India.
The Tricolour was first adopted by the Indian National Congress in 1921 and was later accepted as India’s national flag after its independence from British rule in 1947. Since then, it has become a symbol of unity and pride for Indians all over the world. The national flag serves as a reminder of the freedom and unity that comes with being an Indian citizen.