Fort St. George Museum: Home to India’s Historic First National Flag

National Flag: In the heart of Chennai, Fort St. George Museum houses one of India’s most treasured national symbols—a 12-foot-long, 8-foot-wide flag that was among the first to be hoisted on August 15, 1947, at 5:30 A.M. This flag, made of pure silk, is not just a piece of cloth but a testament to the struggle and sacrifices made by millions of Indians in their pursuit of freedom.

National Flag: A Testament to India’s Struggle for Independence

The flag, preserved meticulously at the museum, encapsulates the essence of India’s arduous journey towards independence. It is a powerful reminder of the determination and resilience displayed by the freedom fighters who laid down their lives to see the flag hoisted as a symbol of a free and sovereign nation.

Evolution of the Indian National Flag

The story of the Indian National Flag began in 1906 during the Swadeshi and Boycott movements when a flag was first hoisted in Calcutta. Over the years, the flag underwent various transformations, reflecting the evolving aspirations of the Indian people. By 1931, the flag’s colors were finalized—saffron representing courage, white symbolizing peace, and green denoting fertility and growth.

The Birth of the Tiranga

The final transformation of the flag occurred in 1947 when the Dharma Chakra, symbolizing the eternal wheel of law and progress, replaced the spinning wheel. This version of the flag was formally adopted by the Constituent Assembly on July 22, 1947, and became the Tiranga—the flag that would represent the hopes, dreams, and unity of a newly independent India.