The Journey of India’s National Flag Tiranga: From Struggle to Glory 

By AMAN UPADHYAY

January 24, 2025

Republic Day marks the day India became a republic, with the Constitution coming into effect on January 26, 1950. But how does the flag relate to this? 

Republic Day 2024: A Day of Pride

The tricolour’s three colours have deep meanings—saffron for strength, white for peace, and green for fertility. The wheel represents progress. 

The Colours with Meaning

The journey started in 1904 when Sister Nivedita created the first flag with red and yellow, symbolizing freedom and victory. 

The First Indian Flag (1904-1906)

Credit: pragyata.com

The first tricolour was designed in 1906 with blue, yellow, and red stripes. It featured stars and symbols of the sun, crescent, and a star. 

The Tricolour of 1906

Credit: zeenews.com

On August 7, 1906, the first unofficial national flag, the Calcutta Flag, was hoisted with red, yellow, and green stripes to protest the Bengal Partition. 

The Calcutta Flag (1906) 

Credit: drishti IAS

In 1907, Madam Cama unfurled the first Indian flag in a foreign land at Stuttgart, Germany. The flag had saffron, green, and red with no communal meaning. 

The Berlin Committee Flag (1907) 

Credit: amarujala.com

In 1916, Pingali Venkaya designed a flag with a ‘charkha’ symbolizing India’s economic regeneration. Gandhi suggested adding a white band for unity. 

Pingali Venkaya’s Flag (1916) 

Credit: drishti IAS

In 1931, the tricolour with the ‘charkha’ became the Congress flag. It was non-communal, representing unity for all Indians. 

The Congress Flag of 1931 

Credit: wikipedia

After India’s independence, the flag was adopted with the Dharma Chakra replacing the ‘charkha’. It became the official National Flag. 

The Final National Flag of 1947 

The Flag Code, updated in 2002, allows Indians to proudly fly the flag any day, as long as it is respected. 

The Flag Code of India 

In 2025, India is celebrating 76 years of being a republic. The tricolour continues to be a symbol of pride, unity, and progress. 

Celebrating 76 Years of Republic