Eternal India Encyclopedia

Rashtra Dwaj

(NATIONAL FLAG)

The National Flag is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron on the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom. In the centre of the white band

there is a wheel in navy blue to represent the

charkha.

The design of the wheel is that of the wheel (

chakra

) which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath

Lion Capital of Asoka.

The Government of India has laid down a "Flag

code - India" to ensure the proper use and display of

the flag. The instructions in the code prohibit the dipping

of the flag in salute to any person or thing.

"The Flag shall not be used as a portion of a

costume or uniform of any description. The Flag shall

not be used in any form of advertisement nor shall an

advertising sign be fastened to the pole from which the

Flag is flown."

----------------------------------------------- Evolution of the National Flag-----------

NATIONAL SYMBOLS

Eternal India

encyclopedia

1906

: Three colours

: Horizontal stripes of green, yellow and red. The green stripe had eight white lotuses, the yellow stripe “Vande Mataram” in Devanagari

script in deep blue and the red stripe a white sun on the left and a white crescent and star on the right (Some scholars assert there was no star on the crescent).

This flag was hoisted on August 7, 1906 in Calcutta.

1907

: Three colours

: This was similar to the first flag except for minor changes 1) The word “Vande Mataram” in the middle yellow stripe was inscribed in

white and shortened to ‘Matar ’ . 2) The sun on the red stripe was towards the fly and the crescent towards the hoist of the flag. There was no star on the crescent.

This flag was hoisted at the International Socialist Congress at Stuttgart, Germany on August 22, 1907 by Madame Cama and her band of exiled revolutionaries.

It was smuggled into India by Indulal Yagnik, the socialist leader of Gujarat. It is displayed in the library of the

Mahratha

and

Kesari

in Pune.

1917 : Two colours:

Red and green, five red and four green horizontal stripes arranged alternately with seven stars in the

saptarishi

configuration superimposed

on them. In the top left-hand corner was the Union Jack, the top right-hand comer had a white crescent and star. This flag was hoisted during the Home Rule

movement of Annie Besant and Lokamanya Tilak. The inclusion of the Union Jack symbolised the goal of Dominion status. The presence of the Union Jack

generally made the flag unacceptable.

1921

Three colours

: During the All India Congress Committee meeting at Bezwada (now Vijayawada) an Andhra youth prepared a flag and took it Mahatma

Gandhi. It had two colours - green and red representing the two major communities and a large

charkha

symbolising progress. Gandhi suggested the addition of white

stripe to represent the remaining communities of India. The flag thus had three colours white, green, and red - and a

charkha

superimposed in blue in the centre. Used

at all Congress sessions till 1931 though not officially accepted by the Congress.

1931

One colour

: There was considerable controversy over the colour of the flag between Hindus and Muslims. Communal troubles had set in. A Committee

appointed by the Congress suggested a plain saffron flag with a

charkha

in reddish brown in the top left-hand comer. Not accepted by the AICC.

1931

Three colours

: The Congress passed a resolution approving the tricolour, with saffron, white and green stripes. It was clearly stated that the colours

had no communal significance and were to be interpreted thus : saffron for courage and sacrifice, white for truth and peace, green for faith and chivalry. It carried a

charkha

in blue on the white band.

1947

: The Constituent Assembly adopted this as Independent India’s National Flag. The colours remain the same, only the

Dharma Chakra

of Emperor Asoka was

adopted in place of the

charkha

as the emblem on the flag.

USAGE OF FLAG BY THE SERVICES

The Army Flag

The Indian Air Force Ensign

The Indian Naval Ensign

The Indian Blue Ensign

“A flag is a necessity for all nations. Millions have died for it. It is no doubt a kind of idolatry which it would be a sin to destroy. For, a flag represents an ideal. The

unfurling of the Union Jack evokes in the English breast sentiments whose strength it is difficult to measure. The Stars and Stripes mean a world to the Americans.

The Star and the Crescent will call forth the best bravery in Islam”.

“It will be necessary for us Indians-Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Parsis and all others to

whom India is their home-to recognise a common flag to live and die for”

Mahatma Gandhi

Indian Red Ensign

Personal Flag of the Chief of Army Staff