State Flag of the Republic of India (1947)

After nearly 200 years of British rule, in 1947 the ‘jewel’ of the British Empire, the Indian sub-continent, was divided into two independent states, India and Pakistan. 

Just before independence the nationalist political party, the Indian National Congress, which included Mohandas Gandhi, adopted the design for the national flag.

It was based on a horizontal striped tricolour flag of saffron (orange), white and green, first introduced by the Indian National Congress in 1931.

The flag remained unchanged when the Republic of India was established on the 26th of January 1950.

The current flag dates from the 22nd of July 1947.

The Symbolic Meaning

At the time of its initial adoption, in 1931, the flag's colours represented the two main ethnic groups of the Indian sub-continent. Saffron represented the Hindu people, green the Muslim people, while white represented the peace desired between the them and truth.

A more modern interpretation has saffron symbolising courage and sacrifice. White representing purity and truth, while green connotes faith and chivalry.

In the centre of the white stripe is a blue wheel, called Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Law), it forms part of the 3rd century Sarnath Lion capital. The Lion capital, placed on top of a pillar, marked a spot where Buddha spoke and is a national symbol connoting peace and goodwill. 

The chakra or wheel has 24 spokes representing each hour of the day and symbolises the endless circle of life.