History of the Indian flag
In the distant past, the Indian state was composed of fragmented principalities, which had their own flags. The single symbol created by the British was a red cloth with the British flag in the upper left corner and the coat of arms of British India on the right side. The flag lasted from 1858 to 1947.
Before the appearance of the modern version of the national flag, the appearance of the national symbol changed several times, which was associated with the political events of the time.
In 1906, one version of the flag was hoisted in the city of Calcutta. It was a three-striped flag: green on the top, yellow in the center, and red on the bottom of the cloth. You could also see an image of eight white lotus flowers on the top of the flag, the sun and the month on the bottom red stripe, and quotes from a poem in Indian on the central yellow background.
Two more flags appeared afterward. The first was painted orange, yellow and green. On the upper orange band were seven stars, which were associated with the sons of the god Brahma. At the bottom of the green background were the sun and the crescent with a star, with the citation in the center retained.
According to Indian beliefs, the sons of Brahma took part in the creation of the universe.
The second flag was a cloth of nine alternating strips of red and green, with white stars in the center in the form of a chain and the British national flag in the left corner. In addition, on the top right were a crescent moon and a star, and on the right side of the cloth was a black triangle.
A new draft of the state symbols was proposed in 1921. The canvas contained stripes of red and green colors, which symbolized the indigenous people of India and Muslims, respectively. Later Mahatma Gandhi suggested adding a white part on top, as a sign of the existence of other religious communities in the country, and a schematic image of a spinning wheel as a symbol of the progress of the republic.
In 1947, the symbol of the Indian National Congress was adopted as the basis of the new modern national flag. It was created by Pingali Venkaiah and presented at the regular session of the All India Committee, which was held in Bezwada in 1912. In 1931, on the initiative of Mahatma Gandhi, the image of a spinning wheel was added to the Indian tricolor, consisting of saffron, white and green.
Later, however, it was decided to remove the emblem and return the Dharmachakra wheel.
In the same year, August 15, India gained independence and rid itself of the influence of the British government.
Description of the flag of India
The flag of the Republic of India is a rectangular cloth with a 2:3 aspect ratio. The main background of the cloth is divided into three equal strips of different colors. The central part of the flag contains an image of a wheel, to which 24 spokes are added. The size of the round Ashoka Chakra emblem allows it to be placed without exceeding the white stripe.
It is believed that the national symbols of the Republic of India can only be made from a special branded Indian khadi fabric. This material is handmade from cotton fibers. The use of other fabrics in the production of the flag is considered a crime and is punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years and the payment of a fine.
Colours of the flag of India
The image of the national flag of India uses three main colors. The cloth is divided into strips of equal width, with the top one colored orange, the center one white, and the bottom one green. In the center of the flag there is a blue wheel on the white stripe.
Meaning of colors and flag symbol
When the national flag of India appeared in 1931, the meaning of the colors was slightly different from the modern interpretation. Orange or saffron was associated with the Indian population, the green stripe represented Muslims, while white was a symbol of truth and peace between people of different religions.
In the updated painting, however, the color saffron has come to represent self-sacrifice, courage and strength. Green represents the fertile lands of India, faith and successful production in the country. White has remained a symbol of truth, peace and purity. The dark blue color of the emblem represents the sea and the sky, and has an association with infinity.
The Dharmachakra wheel contains 24 spokes, which figuratively describes a day. At the same time, the symbol itself indicates the infinity of the circle of human life and its rebirths.
The Code of the Republic of India regulates the rules for the use of state symbols, describes the prohibitions on the use, as well as some provisions concerning the attitude of local residents to the flag:
- the flag may not serve as a drapery for the vehicle;
- may not be used as a garment, and the cloth must not touch water or the ground;
- The national symbol may not be decorated with flowers or garlands;
- No other flag may be placed higher than the national flag.
It is also customary for the state symbols to be raised at sunrise, so that the flag is visible until sunset in all weather conditions.
General information about India
| Official language | Hindi, English |
| Capital | New Delhi |
| Territory | 3,287,263 km2 |
| Population | 1,349,073,000 people |
| Currency | Indian rupee
(INR, code 356) |
| Phone Code | +91 |
