The journey began long before independence. In 1906, a rudimentary flag, with red, yellow, and green stripes, was hoisted in Calcutta, a nascent whisper of defiance against colonial rule. Then came the Berlin Committee flag in 1907, unfurled by Madam Bhikaji Cama, a fiery revolutionary who dared to raise the banner of a free India on foreign soil. Each iteration, with its lotuses, stars, and “Vande Mataram” inscriptions, was a step, a plea, a demand for self-rule.
The Home Rule Movement in 1917 saw another flag, incorporating the Union Jack, a testament to the complex aspirations of the time – a desire for self-governance within the empire. But the true turning point, Rohan knew, came with Mahatma Gandhi.
In 1921, at a session of the All India Congress Committee in Bezwada (now Vijayawada), a young man named Pingali Venkayya presented a flag design to Gandhiji. It was simple, yet profound: red for Hindus, green for Muslims. But Gandhi, ever the visionary of unity, suggested the addition of a white stripe to represent all other communities and, crucially, a spinning wheel – the ‘charkha’ – symbolizing self-reliance and the economic liberation of every Indian.
This flag, the “Swaraj Flag,” became the emblem of the non-violent struggle. It was hoisted with pride during the Flag Satyagraha in Nagpur in 1923, a powerful act of peaceful protest that saw countless Indians brave arrests, their only weapon the tricolor. The saffron, white, and green, with the spinning wheel, became synonymous with the yearning for freedom. In 1931, the Indian National Congress officially adopted this tricolor as its flag, explicitly stating its non-communal significance. Saffron for courage and sacrifice, white for truth and peace, and green for faith and chivalry, for the prosperity of the land.
Then came July 22, 1947. India was on the cusp of independence. The Constituent Assembly met, charged with the monumental task of shaping the new nation. Among their most crucial decisions was the adoption of a national flag. The Swaraj Flag, so deeply ingrained in the hearts of millions, was chosen. But with independence, a subtle yet significant change was made. The spinning wheel, while powerful, was replaced by the Ashoka Chakra, the Dharma Chakra, from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. This 24-spoked wheel, representing the eternal wheel of law and righteousness, symbolized India’s commitment to progress, justice, and continuous movement.
This flag wasn’t just fabric; it was a tapestry woven with the dreams of generations, stained with the blood of martyrs, and illuminated by the hope of a free nation. Each color, each spoke, told a story of unity in diversity, of courage in the face of oppression, of peace achieved through struggle, and of an unwavering commitment to progress.
National Flag Day, July 22nd, was more than just an anniversary. It was a call to remember the journey, to honor the visionaries and the countless unsung heroes, and to reaffirm the pledge to uphold the ideals that the Tiranga so majestically represents. For Millions of Indians, the flag was a living testament to their nation’s past, a vibrant symbol of its present, and a guiding light for its future.
