EVOLUTION OF THE INDIAN NATIONAL FLAG
The National Flag is always a symbol of international identity, self respect and mark of pride.
Political rivalries and dynasties might change in course of time but the National Flag lives on
through generations fluttering high.
The evolution of the Indian National Flag, the tricolor, reflects the political developments in the
country during the 20th century.
The building up of the National Flag as recorded in history was the final outcome of various
political trends. communal tensions and waves of mass enthusiasm.
FIRST NATIONAL FLAG-1906
First National Flag- 1906
● In 1905, a new awakening came to the youth of Bengal due to the 'Bang-Bhang'
movement.
● In 1906 Shachindranath Bose and Sukumar designed a layout of the first National Flag
'Tiranga'.
● It had three horizontal stripes in green, yellow and red.
● In the top green stripe were eight white lotuses in a straight line.
● In the middle yellow stripe, 'Vande Mataram' was written in Devnagari script.
● In lower red stripe, a sun on the left side And a crescent moon with a star on the right
side were marked with white colour.
● The first National Flag of India was hoisted on August 7,1906 in the Green Park
,Calcutta by Surendranath Banerjee in the midst of a salute of 101 guns.
● 'Vande Mataram' slogan was used for the first time.
Second National Flag- 1921
● In 1921,under guidance of Gandhijee, the second National Flag was prepared in tricolor
during the meeting of All India Congress Party at Vijayawada.
● An enthusiastic youth of Andhra Pradesh, Pingali Venkayya designed a two coloured
flag and handed it over to Gandhiji. It was made in white, green and red colour .
● That flag was made of three colour horizontal stripes.
● Top stripe was white, the middle stripe was green and the bottom stripe was red in
colour.
● Red and green colour represented the two major communities Hindu and Muslim and
white stripe as a symbol of the rest of Indian communities.
● Gandhiji, who told him to incorporate the spinning wheel (Charkha), to represent the
economic regeneration (Swadeshi movement ) of India, as a symbol of progress.
● And a blue colour Charkha was marked in the center across all three bands.
● All do this flag was not adopted by Congress, it was widely used during the freedom
movement.
Final National Flag - 1947
● On July 22,1947 finally a new flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly as Indian
national flag with some corrections.
● This Tricolor flag took the new shape with saffron at the top, white on the middle and
green as its lowest band .
● All three colour bands are of equal size.
● 'Dharma Chakra' of Ashoka from Sarnath Pillar in navy blue colour has been put instead
of 'Charkha'.
● The length and breadth ratio of the flag is 3:2.
● Diameter of the Chakra is nearly equal to the width of white band.
● The significance of saffron colour is courage ,dare and sacrifices .
● White symbolises truth/ honesty and peace.
● Green colour reflects life, faith, prosperity, and happiness.
● Blue is the colour of the sky and see i.e.universal truth. It is often associated with depth
and stability.
● The 24 spokes of Ashok Chakra represent 24 hours of a day.
● This wheel signifies motion , progress and dynamism.
● Circular motion of Ashok Chakra marks continuous cycling progress of the nation along
the 24 hours of the day.
● It also inspires us to move forward following the path of Dharma and lead the nation to
continuous progress and prosperity.
