The history of the Indian flag is rich and marked by its evolution over time, culminating in the flag we see today. Here is a detailed overview of its history:

1. Pre-Independence Flags

Before the current flag was adopted, several flags were used by nationalist movements as a symbol of the struggle against British rule.

• Calcutta Flag (1906): The first unofficial flag of India was hoisted on August 7, 1906, in Parsee Bagan Square (Green Park), Calcutta. It was a simple tricolor of green, yellow, and red and contained symbols like eight lotuses representing eight provinces of British India and a crescent moon, representing Hindus and Muslims.
• Home Rule Movement Flag (1917): During the Home Rule movement led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant, a new flag was unveiled. It was five red and four green horizontal stripes. It had seven stars in the saptarishi configuration, a crescent moon, and a Union Jack in the upper left corner, indicating the colonial situation.
• Flag of the Indian National Congress (1921): The flag was designed during the session of the All India Congress Committee which met in Bezwada (now Vijayawada) in 1921. Initially composed by Pingali Venkayya, it featured two colors, red for Hindus and green for Muslims, that symbolized national unity. The charkha (spinning wheel) was added to the center later, symbolizing the economic self-reliance.

2. The Tricolor

The final version of the flag was adopted in 1931. This version removed religious representations, which could have been divisive, and presented a flag that could symbolize all religious communities in India as well as gender equality.

• Design: The new flag was a tricolor of saffron, white, and green. The saffron color stands at the top, denoting strength and courage; the white middle band indicates peace and truth with the Dharma Chakra; the green shows the fertility, growth, and auspiciousness of the land.
• Dharma Chakra: The charkha was replaced by the Dharma Chakra from the Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath near Varanasi in the center. This symbol has 24 spokes and reflects the eternal wheel of law in the Sarnath Lion Capital.

3. Post-Independence

After India gained independence on August 15, 1947, the modified version of the Congress flag was adopted as the national flag of India by the Constituent Assembly of India on July 22, 1947.

• Symbolism: The saffron color signifies courage and sacrifice; white represents truth, peace, and purity; green stands for faith, fertility, and chivalry. The Ashoka Chakra (wheel) in the center symbolizes righteousness, progress, and perpetuity.

4. Usage and Regulations

The use and display of the national flag are governed by the ‘Flag Code of India 2002’ and the ‘Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act (1971)’. The code was amended in 2005 to allow private citizens to display the flag on all days of the year, so long as the honor and dignity of the flag are maintained.

5. Cultural Impact

The Indian flag not only symbolizes freedom but has become a deeply ingrained symbol of national pride. It is hoisted in various national occasions such as Republic Day and Independence Day and during international events where India is represented.

The evolution of the Indian flag is reflective of the country’s struggle and success in establishing its identity. It stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made by millions of Indians and serves as a symbol of the country’s sovereign status.