14 Interesting Facts About Indian Flag

Representing the unique fabric of India’s diverse culture, the National Flag of India, better known as “Tiranga” or “Tricolor,” is a rectangular flag with three parallel strips of Indian Saffron, White, and Green having a circular wheel in the middle with 24 spokes called Ashoka Chakra. As Mahatma Gandhi rightly said- “It will be necessary for us Indians Muslims, Christians, Jews, Parsis, and all others to whom India is their home- to recognize a common flag to live and to die for.” Besides being the symbol of India’s struggle for independence, Indian national flag has many other aspects worth knowing. Here are some interesting facts about the Indian Flag:

Indian Flag
image: drop.ndtv.com

1. Historical Significance!

Indian Flag History

During the struggle for India’s independence, different flags were adopted from time to time. The first national flag came into existence on 7 August 1906. However, the flag that is hoisted across the country in today’s time was adopted on 22 July 1947.
source: indiacelebrating.com, image: pbs.twimg.com

2. The Flag Man!

Indian Flag Designer

A common agriculturist and an active freedom fighter at that time, Pingali Venkayya designed the “Tricolor.” However, with suitable finishing touches and modifications by the Indian National Congress, it was thereafter, adopted as the National Flag of free India.
source: lifebeyondnumbers.com, image: pbs.twimg.com

3. Exclusively made of a specific fabric!

Indian Flag Khadi

The tricoloured Indian Flag is made only with a special hand-spun cotton and silk fabric, also known as “Khadi,” which was made popular across the nation by Mahatma Gandhi during India’s struggle for independence. A flag made of any other material can render an individual with a punishable offense with maximum imprisonment of 3 years.
source: culturalindia.net, image: s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com

4. Exclusive Rights for manufacturing the Indian Flag!

Khadi India

Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha located in Bengeri village of Dharwad district in Karnataka is the only unit that holds the manufacturing rights of the Indian National Flag.
source: quickgs.com, image: static.abplive.in

5. Decode the Indian Flag!

Indian Flag Decoding

Each color of the “Tricolor” has different connotations. Saffron denotes courage & sacrifice, White denotes truth & purity, and Green signifies faith, fertility & growth.
source: Wikipedia, image: punditcafe.com

6. Philosophy of the Indian Flag!

Indian Flag

The wheel with 24 spokes in the middle of the “Tricolor” depicts Dharmachakra & represents motion or growth. It has appeared on a number of edicts of Ashoka. It is also known as the “Wheel of Law” in India.
source: knowindia.gov.in

7. Guidelines and Standards!

Indian Flag Measurements

As per the standards of the Flag Code of India, the Indian Flag should have a ratio of 2:3 (where length is 1.5 times that of the width). All 3 strips of the flag (Saffron, White, and Green) should have equal width and length, running parallel to each other.
source: Wikipedia, image: qph.ec.quoracdn.net

8. Unrestricted Display!

Indian Flag Display

Before 2002, the hoisting of Indian Flag was restricted for the private citizens except on special occasions (like Independence Day, Republic Day, etc.). However, after the Flag Code of India 2002, the Government of India has ensured the unrestricted display of the National Flag with honor and dignity.
source: pib.nic.in, image: images.mapsofindia.com

9. World’s Largest Human Flag!

Indian Flag World Record

On 7 December 2014, the Indian Flag set a Guinness Record for the Largest Human Flag formation at Nandanam YMCA Ground in Chennai, India. In the event, more than 50000 volunteers took part.
source: huffingtonpost.in, image: o.aolcdn.com

10. Indian Flag on The Moon!

Indian Flag On Moon Impact Probe

On 14 November 2008, India became the 4th country to land its Flag on the Moon. Chandrayaan-1 (the unmanned lunar orbiter) ejected its Moon Impact Probe (MIP). The Probe hurtled across the surface of the Moon. The Indian Tricolor was marked on all sides of the Probe.
source: wikinews, image: 2.bp.blogspot.com

11. On the top of the World!

First Indian Flag on Mount Everest

On 29 May 1953, the Indian Flag was hoisted on the Mount Everest, along with the Union Jack and the Nepalese National Flag.
source: indiatoday.intoday.in, image: livemint.com

12. Indian Flag on Foreign Soil!

Bhikaji Rustom Cama

On 22 August 1907, Bhikaji Rustom Cama became the first to raise the Indian Flag on foreign soil. She unfurled the Indian Flag at the 2nd International Socialist Congress in Stuttgart.
source: thebetterindia.com, image: alexandragei.com

13. First Person to Conceive the Indian Flag!

Sister Nivedita

The 1st ever flag called as Flag of India was created by Swami Vivekananda’s follower Bhagini Nivedita (Sister Nivedita). The flag is also known as Nivedita’s Flag. The Flag was first used on 7 August 1906 during a protest rally against the partition of Bengal.
source: slideshare.net, image: 4.bp.blogspot.com

14. The similarity with other flags!

Indian Flag and Niger Flag

Although the three colors of the Indian Flag can be found in many other country’s national flags, the closest resemblance to the Indian Flag is that of the Flag of Niger.
source: easyscienceforkids.com, image: theconsummatedabbler.com