Flag of India

Flag of India. The national flag of India, known as the Tiranga, is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron, white, and India green. It features a 24-spoke navy blue wheel, the Ashoka Chakra, centred on the white band. Adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 22 July 1947, it serves as the national emblem of the Republic of India and symbolizes the nation's unity and sovereignty.

Design and symbolism

The flag's design is governed by the Flag Code of India and embodies profound symbolism. The top saffron band signifies courage, sacrifice, and the spirit of renunciation. The central white band represents peace, truth, and the guiding light of the Dharma Chakra. The bottom green band stands for faith, fertility, and the land's prosperity. The navy blue Ashoka Chakra, derived from the capital of the Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath, represents the eternal wheel of law, Dharma, and motion. Its twenty-four spokes are interpreted as virtues including love, courage, and patience, drawing from teachings in texts like the Vishnu Purana. The precise shades are defined using standards like Pantone and the Indian Standard for manufacturing.

History

The evolution of the flag is deeply intertwined with the Indian independence movement. Early nationalist flags included the 1906 Calcutta Flag and the 1907 Berlin Committee flag. A significant milestone was the 1921 design by Pingali Venkayya, presented to Mahatma Gandhi in Vijayawada, which initially featured two stripes for Hindus and Muslims and a charkha. The Indian National Congress formally adopted this flag at its 1931 session in Karachi. The final version, replacing the charkha with the Ashoka Chakra, was proposed by Jawaharlal Nehru and adopted just before independence from British Raj. The first official unfurling occurred on 15 August 1947 at the Lahore Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi.

Protocol and display

The display and handling of the flag are prescribed by the Flag Code of India and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. It must be flown from sunrise to sunset on all government buildings, including the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Parliament of India. Specific rules govern its hoisting alongside other flags, such as those of the United Nations. The flag is flown at half-mast during national mourning, as decreed by the President of India. Citizens may fly the flag on national days like Republic Day and Independence Day, but it must never touch the ground or be used as drapery. Notable permanent displays include the one atop the Himalayan peak of Mana Pass.

Manufacturing and specifications

Manufacturing is strictly regulated, with only hand-spun khadi cloth permitted for the main body. Authorized centers under the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Khadi and Village Industries Commission oversee production. The flag's dimensions follow a 2:3 ratio, with the Ashoka Chakra's diameter equal to the white band's width. Specifications detail the exact construction of the spokes and the required color shades, defined by specific CIE coordinates. Amendments to the Flag Code of India in 2002 allowed machine-made and polyester flags to broaden public use, though khadi remains the standard for official purposes.

Related flags and influences

The Indian flag's tricolour scheme influenced several national flags within the Commonwealth of Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. The flag of the Indian Navy and the flags of various States and union territories of India, such as Maharashtra and Karnataka, incorporate its colours or the Ashoka Chakra. Historical connections exist with the flag of the Indian National Army under Subhas Chandra Bose. Similar tricolour patterns are seen in the flags of Niger, Ireland, and Ivory Coast, though with distinct symbolism. The Swaraj flag used during the independence movement remains a direct historical precursor.

Category:National symbols of India Category:Flags of India India