National Flag Day 2024: Tricolour's history and significance

National Flag Day 2024: On July 22, 1947, the Indian national flag was officially hoisted. (File photo)

National Flag Day is observed on July 22 every year. It originated in 1947 when the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the national flag. It marked a pivotal moment in India’s journey towards establishing itself as an independent nation free from British colonial rule.

The day is celebrated every year to raise public awareness about the flag’s role in symbolising India’s independence, unity, and rich heritage.

Origin of India's national flag

In 1921, Mahatma Gandhi asked freedom fighter Pingley Venkayya to design a national flag, for the freedom movement. He specifically asked for a 'charkha' in the flag as it represented self reliance, progress, and the common man. It was also called the Swaraj flag, the Gandhi flag and the Charkha Flag.

To avoid the religious associations, the colours saffron, white, and green were chosen. They were said to stand for, respectively, courage and sacrifice, peace and truth, and faith and chivalry.

When Lord Mountbatten announced the decision to free India. There arose the need to have a flag that is acceptable to all parties and an ad-hoc flag committee was headed by Dr. Rajendra Prasad to design it. With Gandhi's approval, Venkayya's flag was modified. Instead of the charkha, the emblem of Ashoka's Sarnath pillar, the wheel, was used. None of the tricolous had any communal significance. On July 22, 1947, the Indian national flag was officially hoisted.

Significance of the chakra

The dharma chakra, which was associated with the emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, appeared on pillars erected throughout the Mauryan empire during the first serious attempt to unite all of India under a single government. It was deemed suitable as a symbol of unity for a country free from the British rule.