The Evolution of the Indian National Flag: A UPSC Aspirant’s Chronicle

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 🧭 Why It Matters for UPSC

  • GS Paper I & II: Modern Indian History, Polity, and National Symbols

  • Ethics & Essay: Symbolism, Unity, and National Identity

Prelims & Mains: Flag Code, Historical Milestones, Constitutional Relevance

The Evolution of the Indian National Flag: A Historical Analysis


The journey of the Indian National Flag mirrors the nation's struggle for freedom and its evolving identity. Each version of the flag reflects a distinct ideological and political milestone.


image source : google

Chronological Development of the Flag (Key Facts for Prelims)

  1. 1906: The Calcutta Flag

    • Context: Hoisted during the Swadeshi and Boycott movement following the partition of Bengal.
    • Location: Parsee Bagan Square (Green Park), Calcutta.
    • Features: A tricolor flag with three horizontal stripes of green (top), yellow (middle), and red (bottom). It featured eight half-open lotuses on the green stripe, "Vande Mataram" in Devanagari script on the yellow stripe, and a sun and a crescent moon on the red stripe.

  2. 1907: The Berlin Committee Flag (Madam Cama's Flag)

    • Context: Displayed to appeal for international support for India's independence.
    • Hoisted by: Madam Bhikaji Cama, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, and other revolutionaries.
    • Location: Stuttgart, Germany, at the International Socialist Conference.
    • Features: Similar to the 1906 flag, but the top stripe was saffron, featuring eight lotuses symbolizing the provinces of British India. The slogan remained "Vande Mataram."

  3. 1917: The Home Rule Movement Flag

    • Context: Reflected the demand for self-government or dominion status within the British Empire.
    • Promoted by: Dr. Annie Besant and Lokmanya Tilak during the Home Rule Movement.
    • Features: This flag had five red and four green horizontal stripes. It featured seven stars in the Saptarishi constellation. Crucially, it included the Union Jack in the top left corner and a crescent moon and star in the top right, signifying its demand for autonomy under British rule.

  4. 1921: The Gandhian Flag (Pingali Venkayya's Design)

    • Context: The rise of Mahatma Gandhi and the Non-Cooperation Movement, emphasizing national unity and self-reliance.
    • Origin: At the Bezwada (Vijayawada) session of the All India Congress Committee, Pingali Venkayya presented a design to Mahatma Gandhi.
    • Features: Initially, it had two stripes (red for Hindus, green for Muslims). Gandhi suggested adding a white stripe (for other communities) and a spinning wheel (charkha) in the center to symbolize progress and the self-reliance of the masses.

  5. 1931: The Swaraj Flag (Official Congress Flag)

    • Context: A move towards a more secular and abstract representation of the nation.
    • Adoption: A resolution was passed by the Congress Working Committee adopting this as the official flag.
    • Features: The flag was a tricolor with saffron at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom. The charkha was placed in the center. A key ideological shift was made: the colors no longer represented communities but abstract qualities:
      • Saffron: For courage and sacrifice.
      • White: For truth and peace.
      • Green: For faith and chivalry (later reinterpreted as fertility and growth).

  6. 1947: The Tiranga - The National Flag of Independent India

    • Context: The transfer of power and the establishment of an independent, sovereign republic.
    • Adoption: Adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on July 22, 1947.
    • Features: The 1931 Swaraj flag was retained with one significant modification: the spinning wheel (charkha) was replaced by the Ashoka Chakra (the Dharma Chakra, or Wheel of Law) from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Emperor Ashoka. The chakra, rendered in navy blue with 24 spokes, was chosen to represent dharma, motion, and progress, providing a historical and civilizational symbol that was universally acceptable.

📘 Flag Code of India – UPSC Nuggets:


Aspect

Details

  • 📐 Ratio    -
  •  3:2 (length to width)
  • 🧵 Material   -
  • Cotton, silk, khadi, polyester (post-2021 amendment)
  • 🚫 Restrictions   -
  • No damage, decorative misuse, or disrespectful disposal
  • 📜 Legal Backing   -
  • Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
  • 🧑‍⚖️ Fundamental Duty -
  • Article 51A(a)—Respect the Flag and Anthem
  • 🚗 Vehicle Display -
  • Only for dignitaries like President, PM, Governors
  • 🕯️ Disposal -
  • Damaged flags must be destroyed privately, preferably by burning

Analytical Takeaways for Mains

  • Flag as a Political Statement: The evolution of the flag is not merely a design history; it is a chronicle of political evolution. The shift from the Home Rule flag (with the Union Jack) to the Swaraj flag (with the charkha) demonstrates the transition from demanding dominion status to demanding complete independence (Purna Swaraj).

  • Evolution of National Identity: The flag's symbolism evolved from representing communities (the initial 1921 concept) to representing abstract virtues (1931). This reflects the conscious effort of the freedom movement to forge a secular, unified national identity that transcended religious or sectarian divisions.

  • From Self-Reliance to Constitutionalism: The final replacement of the charkha with the Ashoka Chakra is highly symbolic.

    • The charkha was a powerful symbol of the Gandhian ideal of economic self-reliance and mass participation in the freedom struggle.
    • The Ashoka Chakra represents the eternal "Wheel of Law" (Dharma). Its adoption signifies the newly independent nation's commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law, and righteous governance, rooting the modern republic in the deep historical and ethical traditions of the subcontinent.

  • Continuity and Change: The Constituent Assembly chose to retain the core design of the 1931 flag, which had become a powerful symbol of the freedom struggle, thereby honoring its legacy. The single modification was a forward-looking change, establishing a symbol for the future governance of India. This act demonstrates a mature understanding of balancing historical continuity with the needs of a new nation-state.

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