India’s Journey Through Six Historic Flags

BY: ANAMIKA AGARWALA

The first Indian flag was hoisted in Calcutta during the Swadeshi movement, featuring lotuses, Vande Mataram, the sun and crescent moon.

The Calcutta Flag — 1906

Bhikaji Cama raised a modified Calcutta Flag in Stuttgart, marking its first appearance on an international platform.

The Berlin Committee Flag — 1907

Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak used a flag featuring the Union Jack, Saptarshi stars and red-green stripes during the Home Rule movement.

The Home Rule Flag — 1917

Mahatma Gandhi promoted the charkha as a symbol of self-reliance, while Pingali Venkayya designed the flag for the nationalist movement.

The First Swaraj Flag — 1921

The Congress adopted a saffron, white and green tricolour with the charkha, which became a major symbol of the freedom movement.

The Second Swaraj Flag — 1931

Independent India adopted the saffron, white and green tricolour with the Ashoka Chakra, replacing the charkha at its centre.

 The Tiranga — 1947