Colour
Saffron
The uppermost band, representing courage, sacrifice, and the spirit of renunciation associated with the freedom struggle.
Discover the story of India
The flag, the freedom struggle, and the people who carried it.
A researched, source-backed guide to the Tiranga, the decades of movements that led to 15 August 1947, and the leaders whose choices still shape India today.
Milestones at a glance
- 1857 Revolt against Company rule
1885Indian National Congress founded
1930Dandi March & Salt Satyagraha
1942Quit India Movement begins
1947Independence, 15 August
India's National Flag
Full flag guide
What the Tiranga means
Colour
White
The central band, standing for truth, peace, and honesty in public life — the values Gandhi urged the new nation to hold.
Symbol
Ashoka Chakra
A 24-spoke navy-blue wheel at the flag's centre, adapted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka, signalling righteousness in motion — dharma chakra.
Explore Indian History
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Freedom Movement Timeline
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The road to 15 August 1947
1857Revolt of 1857 — the first major armed uprising against Company rule.
1885Indian National Congress is founded in Bombay.
1905Partition of Bengal sparks the Swadeshi Movement.
1919Jallianwala Bagh massacre shocks the country.
1920Gandhi launches the Non-Cooperation Movement.
1930Dandi March opens the Civil Disobedience Movement.
1942"Do or Die" — the Quit India Movement begins.
1947India becomes independent; Partition follows.
1950The Constitution of India comes into force.
Leaders who shaped modern India
All leader profiles
Featured profiles
FILE 01
1869 – 1948
Mahatma Gandhi
Architect of nonviolent civil resistance, satyagraha.
FILE 021897 – 1945
Subhas Chandra Bose
Founder of the Indian National Army's later campaign.
FILE 031907 – 1931
Bhagat Singh
Revolutionary thinker executed at age 23.
FILE 041875 – 1950
Sardar Patel
The "Iron Man" who unified princely India.
Important historical events
Turning points worth understanding
1919
Jallianwala Bagh
British troops under General Dyer fired on an unarmed crowd in Amritsar, an event that hardened nationalist sentiment across India.
Read the movement page1930
The Dandi March
Gandhi walked 24 days to the sea to break the salt law, turning a tax dispute into a nationwide symbol of defiance.
Read the full article1942
Quit India
Congress demanded an immediate end to British rule, triggering mass arrests and the movement's most intense phase of repression.
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Frequently asked questions
Common questions about India's flag and freedom struggle
Who designed the Indian national flag?
The tricolour's core design is credited to Pingali Venkayya, a freedom fighter from Andhra who presented early versions of a national flag to Congress in the 1920s. The flag was refined and formally adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947. Read the full story on the Tiranga page.
When did India become independent?
India became independent from British colonial rule on 15 August 1947, following decades of organised political movements, civil disobedience, and negotiation. See the full timeline for the events leading up to it.
What is the Ashoka Chakra and why is it on the flag?
The Ashoka Chakra is a 24-spoke wheel taken from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. It replaced the spinning wheel (charkha) used on earlier Congress flags and represents continuous progress and moral law. Details are on the Tiranga page.
Can anyone display the national flag?
Yes. Following amendments to the Flag Code of India in 2002 and later orders, citizens may display the flag on personal, non-official occasions, subject to rules on dignity and correct display. See our Flag Code overview — this is general information, not legal advice.