India's First Independence Flag: A Silk Survivor

The national flag of India, the Tiranga, is a symbol of sacrifice, peace, and prosperity. A significant historical artifact, the first flag hoisted in independent India on August 15, 1947, is preserved in the Indian Independence Gallery at the Fort St. George Museum in Chennai. This 12-foot-long, 8-foot-wide pure silk flag is the only one from that momentous day to have survived.

The journey to the current Tricolour design began long before 1947. Early versions appeared in 1906 during the Swadeshi movement and in 1907 internationally in Paris. A 1917 flag reflected the Home Rule Movement's aspirations. By 1921, Pingali Venkayya designed a flag with community stripes and a spinning wheel, a precursor to today's design.

The colours were finalized in 1931: saffron for courage, white for peace, and green for fertility, with the spinning wheel replaced by the Dharma Chakra. This design was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly on July 22, 1947. The Flag Code of India, established in 2002, dictates the respectful display and disposal of the Tiranga, ensuring its dignity regardless of its material.