Ever wondered that Who designed the national flag of India?

In 1921, Mahatma Gandhi stressed the significance of having a national flag at a meeting of the Indian National Congress. The initial design came from Andhra congressman Pingali Venkayya, a freedom fighter born near Machilipatnam, in what is now Andhra Pradesh. However, Gandhi Ji had a broader vision. He encouraged Venkayya to include a charkha (spinning wheel) at its center. He also championed the tricolor scheme, with red representing Hindus, green for Muslims, and white for other faiths.

Lets got to a trip down memory lane and see Who designed the national flag of India?

The Earlier Designs – Calcutta flag

Sachindra Prasad Bose and Hemchandra Kanungro reportedly designed the Calcutta flag, which was first hoisted on 7 August 1906 at Parsi Bagan Square (Greer Park) in Kolkata. A modified version of this flag, known as the “Vande Mataram flag,” was used in the Swadeshi Movement. It featured significant symbols from Indian religions, such as lotus flowers, a sun, a crescent and displayed the words “Vande Mataram” in Hindi, signifying “I bow to my motherland.”

Madam Bhikaji Kama hoisted The “flag of Indian independence” at the International Socialist conference in Stuttgrat, Germany was based on Calcutta flag.

Pingali Venkayya’s Design

In April 1921, Mahatma Gandhi discussed the need for an Indian flag in his magazine Young India. Upon Lala Hansraj’s suggestion, he proposed a flag featuring a charkha, or spinning wheel, at the center. He entrusted Pingali Venkayya with the task of creating this flag, which would have a spinning wheel on a crimson and green banner. In this design, the red would symbolize Hindus, and the green would represent Muslims.

Although Gandhi initially planned to unveil the flag at the Congress session in 1921, it was delayed. He later considered this delay fortunate, as it gave him time to realize that the original design didn’t include symbols for other religions. Consequently, he decided to incorporate white to represent those groups.

On 13 April 1923, during a procession on the anniversary of Jallianwala Massacre, the Swaraj flag with the spinning wheel, designed by Pingali Venkayya, was hoisted at Nagpur.

Purna Swaraj Flag

However Mahatma Gandhi was not satisfied with the Design of Flag, in an article titled ‘The National Flag’ published in Young India in 1921, he wrote,

“While I have always admired the persistent zeal in which Mr Venkayya has prosecuted the cause of a national flag at every session of the Congress for the past four years, he has never (been) able to enthuse me; and in his designs I saw nothing to stir the nation to its depths…”

In 1931, a Congress flag committee introduced some significant alterations to this tricolour. They replaced red with saffron and reconfigured the order of the colours, resulting in what we now recognise as the “Swaraj Flag.” This new emblem represented the unity of India’s diverse communities.

Nehru and Later Gandhi Ji himself realised that earlier interpretation of the “colours representing religion is not right. Gandhi Ji interpreted the colours, Orange symbolises the sacrifices of people, white as pure, and green for hope. Nehru was more vocal, He wrote

“We should make it perfectly clear that our flag is not based on communal considerations. Perhaps some change is necessary. This change, however, should not interfere too much with the present flag.”

The Flag Committee

Under Prime Minister Nehru’s guidance, on 23 June 1947 Baddruddin Tyabji, an Indian Civil Service officer in the prime minister’s office, established a Flag Committee led by Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Flag Committee had Maulana Azad, Sarojini Naidu, C. Rajgopalachari, K. M. Munshi and B. R. Ambedkar as members.

Suraiya Badr-ud-din Tyabji’s Contribution

During this time Suraiya Badr-ud-din Tyabji, Baddruddin Tyabji’s wife, made an invaluable contribution. She made a design for the national flag, which included the Ashoka Chakra.
On July 17, 1947, a sample created by Mrs. Badr-ud-din Tyabji was approved by the constituent assembly. Jawahar Lal Nehru presented the sample to the Constituent Assembly on July 22. He Later explained that the change from “the Charkha to Ashok Chakra” was more practical in nature. Unlike the flag with the spinning wheel, this design would appear symmetrical.
At first Gandhi ji was not convinced with removal of charkha but in due time, accepted the new design.

By one of those contradictions which run through Indian’s history, the national flag was designed by a Muslim, Badr-ud-Din Tyabji. Originally the Flag was to have contained the Charka symbol used by Gandhi. but this was a party symbol, which Tyabji thought might strike the wrong note. After much persuasion Gandhi agreed to the verse because the Emperor Asoka was venerated by Hindu and Muslim alike. The flag which flew on Nehru’s car that night had been specially made by Tyabji’s wife.”

 The Last Days of the Raj Royle, Trevor (1989).

Suraiya played a pivotal role in creating the graphic representation of the flag. The first flag was painstakingly sewn under her careful supervision by Edde Tailors & Drapers in Connaught Place, ascending proudly over Raisina Hill.

Conclusion

The journey of India’s national flag holds profound historical significance, mirroring the aspirations and unity of a nation. With its tricolour scheme and iconic symbols, it stands as a testament to the collective spirit and unwavering aspirations of a united India. From its inception, conceived by the visionary Mahatma Gandhi, to the meticulous craftsmanship of Suraiya Tyabji, the flag’s evolution showcases a remarkable journey. This journey, marked by transitions and adaptations, not only reflects the struggle for freedom but also symbolizes the triumph of unity and national pride.

Answering the question “Who designed the national flag of India?” is not straightforward. All things considered, we can affirm that the journey of the flag symbolizes our path to achieving freedom. Many people contributed to it, but we can confidently attribute the design of the present-day flag to Suraiya Badr-ud-din Tyabji, which is based on Pingali Venkayya‘s initial concept.