List of Indian flags

Last updated

This is a list of flags used in India by various organizations.

Contents

National flag

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of India.svg 1947–present National Flag of India A horizontal tricolour of saffron at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom, with a navy blue Ashoka Chakra at the centre - furnished with twenty-four spokes. [1]

Governmental flags

Current

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of India.svg 1947–present National Flag of India The National Flag is the ensign adopted by the administrative tiers of:

Former

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the President of India (1950-1971).svg 1950–1971 [2] Presidential Standard of India A four-checkered, red-blue ensign, depicting four distinct symbols in a clockwise-direction:

Ensigns

Civilian-cum-military

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of India.svg Civil air ensign (-)
Civil Ensign of India.svg Civil Ensign An altered version of the Red Ensign, with the National Flag embossed in the canton.

Used by civilian ships registered in India and/or owned by Indians by virtue of the Indian Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. [3]

Government Ensign of India.svg State Ensign An altered version of the Blue Ensign, with the National Flag and a yellow-coloured anchor embossed in the canton and fly, respectively.

Used by Indian Fleet Auxiliaries or other vessels in the event of war; also used by civilian vessels employed by the Government of India. [3]

Blue Ensign of India.svg Naval Reserve EnsignUsed by auxiliary-cum-merchant ships whose captain is a Navy Reserve Officer. [3]

Former

FlagDateUseDescription
Ensign of the Port of Cochin (India).svg (-)Ensign of Port of Cochin Discontinued [4]
Ensign of the Bombay Harbour Trust.svg (-)Ensign of the Bombay Harbour Trust Discontinued [4]
Ensign of Commissioners of the Port of Calcutta.svg (-)Ensign of Commissioners of the Port of Calcutta Discontinued [4]

Indian Armed Forces

Inter-military syndicates

FlagDateUseDescription
Indian Armed Forces.svg Flag of the Indian Armed Forces (-).
Flag of Chief of Defence Staff (India).svg Ensign of the:
A maroon ensign furnished with the National Flag in the canton, and a gold-wreathed crest of the Indian Armed Forces embossed in the fly. [5]
Flag of Integrated Defence Staff.svg Flag of the Integrated Defence Staff A maroon ensign furnished with the National Flag in the canton, and a simple gold crest of the Indian Armed Forces embossed in the fly.

Indian Army

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Indian Army.svg Ensign of the Indian Army A red ensign furnished with the National Flag in the canton, and the Army Crest in the fly. [6]
Flag of Field marshal (India).png Flag of the Field Marshal A red ensign furnished with the National Emblem atop a gold-colored lotus blossom wreath surrounding two crossed batons, along with five five-pointed gold stars. [7]
Flag COAS.svg Flag of the Chief of the Army Staff An altered version of the Indian Army Ensign, furnished with four five-pointed gold stars placed to the right of the Army Crest. [8]
Held only by a four-star General. [8]
Flag of Indian Vice Chief of Army Staff.svg Flag of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff A red-black tricolor, furnished with the twin-crossed swords at the centre, the Army Headquarters badge in the canton and three five-pointed gold stars in the fly.
Flag of Indian Principal Staff Officers.svg Flag of the Principal Staff Officer
Flag of Indian Lieutenant Generals, Army Headquarters.svg Flag of the Lieutenant General
Flag of Indian Major Generals, Army Headquarters.png Flag of the Major General
Flag of Indian Brigade command, Army Headquarters.png Flag of the Brigadier

Components

Flags seen at Indian Army bases


"Strangely, the Indian national flag seems not to be used in military bases. I saw it only in schoolyards of government schools. Below are described some of the flags I have been able to see properly from the bus. Identification of the units was in most cases not possible for the reasons given above."

Ivan Sache, 25 August 2001, Website

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag-of-Indian-Army-Ordnance-Corps.svg Flag of Ordnance Corps
Flag of the Corps of EME.svg Flag of Corps of EME
Flag-of-Indian-Army-Regiment of Artillery.svg Flag of Regiment of Artillery
Indian Army-Service Corps.png Flag of Service Corps
Flag-of-Indian-Army-Medical-Corps.svg Flag of Medical Corps
Flag-of-3rd-Cavalry-regiment-Indian Army.svg Flag of 3rd Cavalry regiment
Flag of the Garwhal Rifles.svg Flag of Garhwal Rifles
Northern-Command-Indian Army-flag.svg Flag of Northern Command
In^punjb.gif Flag of Punjab Regiment
In^14corps.gif Flag of XIV Corps
In^ce.gif Flag of Corps of Engineers
Flag of Brigade of Guards (India).gif Flag of Brigade of The Guards
Flag of the 3rd Infantry.gif Flag of 3rd Infantry
Flag of the 257th Transit Camp of the Indian Army.svg Flag of 267th Transit Camp
Flag of the Vehicles of Basgo.svg Flag of Vehicles of Basgo
Mech Inf India Flag.jpg Flag of Mechanised Infantry Regiment
RVC flag.jpg Flag of Remount Veterinary Corps

Indian Navy

Rank flags

FlagDateUseDescription
Naval Ensign of India.svg Ensign of the Indian Navy A white ensign, featuring the National Flag in the canton and a navy-blue-filled, gold-bordered octagon enclosing the Indian Naval Crest - placed in the fly. [9]
Commissioning pennant of India.svg Commissioning pennant of the Indian NavyA white, triangular pennant enclosing a minuscule version of the octagon-shaped Naval Crest near the hoist.
President's Colour of Indian Navy.svg President's Colour of the Indian NavyAn altered version of the Indian Naval Ensign, affixed with the National Emblem and National Motto on the upper right canton. [9]
Admiral ensign of Indian Navy.svg Flag of the Admiral A white flag with a gold-bordered octagon enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy in the middle, and four blue stars in the hoist side.
Vice Admiral ensign of Indian Navy.svg Flag of the Vice admiral A white flag with a gold-bordered octagon enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy in the middle, and three blue stars in the hoist side.
Rear Admiral ensign of Indian Navy.svg Flag of the Rear admiral A white flag with a gold-bordered octagon enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy in the middle, and two blue stars in the hoist side.
Commodore ensign of Indian Navy.svg Flag of the Commodore A white flag with a gold-bordered octagon enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy in the middle, and one blue star in the hoist side.

Former rank flags (1950-2001; 2004-2022)

FlagDateUseDescription
Naval Ensign of India (1950-2001).svg 1950-2001 Indian Naval Ensign A red cross on a white field, with the Indian national flag in the canton.
Naval Ensign of India (2004-2014).svg 2004–2014A red cross on a white field, with the Indian state emblem in yellow at the center, with the Indian national flag in the canton.
Naval Ensign of India (2014-2022).svg 2014–2022A red cross on a white field, with the Indian state emblem in yellow at the center with the motto Satyamev Jayate below, and the Indian national flag in the canton.
President's Colour of Indian Navy (until 2022).svg 1951-2022 President's Colour Indian Naval ensign with Presidential Standard elephant.
Masthead Pennant of the Indian Navy.svg Commissioning pennant A white triangular pennant with at hoist the St. George's red cross defaced with the Ashoka Chakra.
Admiral-ensign-Indian-Navy.svg Flag of the Admiral (was only used by Chief of the Naval Staff)
Vice Admiral of the Indian Navy rank flag.svg Flag of the Vice Admiral (also Vice Chief of the Naval Staff)
Rear Admiral of the Indian Navy rank flag.svg Flag of the Rear Admiral
Commodore of the Indian Navy rank flag.svg Flag of the Commodore
Senior Officer of the Indian Navy pennant.svg Flag of the Senior officer

Former rank flags (2001-2004)

FlagDateUseDescription
Naval Ensign of India (2001-2004).svg 2001–2004Flag of the Indian NavyA blue-colored crest of the Indian Navy set upon a white background, with the flag of India placed in the canton.
COMMISSIONING PENNANT (INDIA).gif 2001–2004Commissioning pennant of the Indian Navy
ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET (INDIA).gif 2001–2004Flag of Admiral of the Fleet of the Indian NavyNever used.
ADMIRAL (INDIA).gif 2001–2004Flag of Admiral of the Indian Navy
VICE-ADMIRAL (INDIA).gif 2001–2004Flag of Vice Admiral of the Indian Navy
REAR-ADMIRAL (INDIA).gif 2001–2004Flag of Rear Admiral of the Indian Navy
COMMODORE (INDIA).gif 2001–2004Flag of Commodore of the Indian Navy
SENIOR OFFICER (INDIA).gif 2001–2004Flag of Senior Officer of the Indian Navy

Indian Air Force

Current rank flags (1980-present)

FlagDateUseDescription
Air Force Ensign of India (2023).svg Flag of the Indian Air Force A sky-blue ensign with the flag of India in the canton, the Air Force roundel in the lower fly, and the IAF badge in the upper fly. [10]
President's Colour of Indian Air Forces.svg President's Colour of the Indian Air ForceAir Force ensign with Presidential Standard elephant.
Flag of the Marshal of the Air Force (India).svg Flag of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force Sky blue flag with the badge of the IAF in the center, and 5 five-pointed gold stars in a vertical line in the fly. Only one person has ever been granted the right to this flag. [11]
Flag of the Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force.svg Flag of the Air Chief Marshal (rank currently reserved for the Chief of the Air Staff)Sky blue flag with the national flag in the canton, the IAF roundel in the lower fly, the IAF badge in the upper fly, and 5 five-pointed gold stars in a vertical line in the fly.. [12]
Flag of Air arshal (India).png Flag of the Air Marshal (also Vice Chief of the Air Staff)Sky blue flag with IAF roundel in the center surmounted by eagle; 3 five-pointed gold stars in a vertical line in the fly.
Flag of Air Vice marshal (India).png Flag of the Air Vice Marshal Sky blue flag with IAF roundel in the center surmounted by eagle; 2 five-pointed gold stars in a vertical line in the fly.
Flag of Air commodore (India).png Flag of the Air Commodore Sky blue flag with IAF roundel in the center surmounted by eagle; 1 five-pointed gold star in the fly.
Flag of Group Captain (India).gif Flag of the Group Captain Flag of Sky blue triangular pennant with IAF roundel in the center surmounted by eagle.
Flag of Wing Commander (India).gif Flag of the Wing Commander Sky blue triangular pennant with IAF roundel in the center.

Former rank flags (till 2023)

FlagDateUseDescription
Ensign of the Indian Air Force.svg 1950-2023Flag of the Indian Air Force A sky-blue ensign with the flag of India in the canton, and the Air Force roundel in the fly. [13]
Flag of the Chief of Air Staff and Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force.svg 1980-2023Flag of the Air Chief Marshal (was only used by Chief of the Air Staff)Sky blue flag with the national flag in the canton, the IAF roundel in the lower fly, and the IAF badge in the upper fly. [14]

Former rank flags (1950–1980)

The former IAF rank flags were modeled on those of the Royal Air Force, with different colours. [15]

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Indian Marshal of the Air Forces 1950-1980.svg 1950–1980Marshal of the Indian Air ForceNever used. [16]
Flag of Indian Air Chief Marshal 1950-1980.svg 1950–1980Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air ForceSky blue bordered with two thick golden yellow stripes and with two thick horizontal green stripes in the center.
Flag of Indian Air Marshal 1950-1980.png 1950–1980Air Marshal of the Indian Air ForceSky blue flag bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with one thick horizontal green stripe in the center.
Flag of Indian Air Vice Marshal 1950-1980.svg 1950–1980Air Vice Marshal of the Indian Air ForceSky blue flag bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with two thin horizontal green stripes in the center.
Flag of Indian Air Commodore 1950-1980.svg 1950–1980Air Commodore of the Indian Air ForceSwallowtail sky blue pennant bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with one thin horizontal green stripe in the center.
Flag of Indian Group Captain 1950-1980.svg 1950–1980Group Captain of the Indian Air ForceTriangular sky blue pennant bordered in golden yellow, with one thick horizontal green stripe in the center.
Flag of Indian Wing Captain 1950-1980.svg 1950–1980Wing Commander of the Indian Air ForceTriangular sky blue pennant bordered in golden yellow, with two thin horizontal green stripes in the center.
Flag of Indian Squadron Leader.svg 1950–1980Squadron Leader of the Indian Air ForceSky blue flag bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with one thin horizontal green stripe in the center surmounted by an eagle in green. Below the stripe is the squadron number.

Coast Guard

FlagDateUseDescription
Indian Coast Guard flag.svg Flag of the Indian Coast Guard A Blue Ensign with the Flag of India in the canton, and the Coast Guard badge in the fly
Indian Coast Guard flag.svg Flag of the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard A Blue Ensign with the Flag of India in the canton, and the Coast Guard badge in the fly
Flag of ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR GENERAL of ICG.jpg Flag of the Additional Director General of the Indian Coast Guard
Flag Inspector GENERAL of ICG.jpg Flag of the Inspector-General of the Indian Coast Guard
Flag of Indian Coast Guard Inspector General.png Flag of the Deputy Inspector-General of the Indian Coast Guard
Flag of Indian Coast Guard Commandant.png Flag of the Commandant of the Indian Coast Guard

Paramilitary forces

FlagDateUseDescription
Assam Rifles Flag.svg Flag of Assam Rifles
Rashtriya Rifles Flag.svg Flag of Rashtriya Rifles
CRPF Flag.svg Flag of Central Reserve Police Force
CISF Flag.svg Flag of Central Industrial Security Force
Logo of RPF.jpg Flag of Railway Protection Force Link to FLAG
BSF Flag.svg Flag of Border Security Force
Sashastra Seema Bal Flag.svg Flag of Sashastra Seema Bal
ITBP Flag.svg Flag of Indo-Tibetan Border Police
NSG Flag.svg Flag of National Security Guard
SPG Flag.svg Flag of Special Protection Group

Other agencies

FlagDateUseDescription
Territorial Army (Flag).svg Flag of Territorial Army
NCC Flag.png Flag of National Cadet Corps
BRO Flag.svg Flag of Border Roads Organisation

Former Flags of Indian Armed Forces

British Indian Army

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the Royal Indian Army.svg 1942–1947Ensign of the British Indian Army Red field emblazoned with Star of India crossed by two swords and beneath the Tudor Crown.
Ensign of the Royal Indian Army Service Corps.svg 1878–1947Flag of the Indian Army Service Corps A Blue Ensign with the Union Jack at the canton, and the Star of India crossed by two swords displayed in the fly.

Royal Indian Air Force

FlagDateUseDescription
Air Force Ensign of India (1945-1947).svg 1945–1947Ensign of the Royal Indian Air Force A field of air force blue with the United Kingdom's flag in the canton and the Royal Indian Air Force's roundel in the fly.

Royal Indian Marine/Royal Indian Navy

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Imperial India.svg 1863–19471877–1892 Ensign of Her Majesty's Indian Marine
1892–1928: Ensign of the Royal Indian Marine
1928–1934 Naval jack of the Royal Indian Marine
1934–1947: Naval jack of the Royal Indian Navy
A Blue Ensign with the Union Jack at the canton, and the Star of India displayed in the fly.
Naval Jack of Royal Indian Marine.svg 1884–19281884–1892 Naval jack of Her Majesty's Indian Marine
1892–1928: Naval jack of the Royal Indian Marine
The Union Jack with blue border.
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg 1928–19501928–1934: Ensign of the Royal Indian Marine
1934–1950: Ensign of the Royal Indian Navy
The White Ensign of the Royal Navy.
Flag of Admiral - Royal Navy.svg 1954–19551954–1955: Flag of the Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Indian Navy
1955: Flag of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy
The St George's Cross.
Ensign of an Admiral in the Royal Navy.
Flag of Vice-Admiral - Royal Navy.svg 1934–19581934–1948: Flag of the Flag Officer Commanding, Royal Indian Navy
1948–1950: Flag of the Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Royal Indian Navy
1950–1954: Flag of the Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Indian Navy
1955–1958: Flag of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy
Ensign of a Vice-Admiral in the Royal Navy.
Flag of Rear-Admiral - Royal Navy.svg 1928–19581928–1932: Flag of the Flag Officer Commanding and Director, Royal Indian Marine
1934–1950: Flag of a Flag Officer, Royal Indian Navy
1950–1958: Flag of a Flag Officer, Indian Navy
Ensign of a Rear-Admiral in the Royal Navy.

State and union territory flags

At present there are no officially recognised flags for individual states and union territories of India. No legal prohibitions to prevent states adopting distinctive flags exist in either the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 or the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. [17] In a 1994 case before the Supreme Court of India, S. R. Bommai v. Union of India , the Supreme Court declared that there is no prohibition in the Constitution of India for a state to have its own flag. However, a state flag should not dishonour the national flag. [18] The Flag code of India also permits other flags to be flown with the Flag of India, but not on the same flag pole or in a superior position to the national flag. [19]

Former official state flags

The state of Jammu and Kashmir had an officially recognised state flag between 1952 and 2019 under the special status granted to the state by Article 370 of the Constitution of India.

FlagStateUsage dateDescription
Flag of Jammu and Kashmir (1936-1953).svg 1947–1952The flag was red with a plough in the centre. The red background stood for labour and the plough stood for agriculture. The ratio of the flag was 3:2.
Jammu-Kashmir-flag.svg 1952–2019The flag was red with three white vertical stripes in the hoist and a plough in the fly. The red background stood for labour, the stripes stood for the three administrative divisions of the state (Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh) and the plough stood for agriculture. The ratio of the flag was 3:2. [20]

Proposed state flags

Flags have been proposed for Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, but neither were officially adopted.

FlagStateDateUseDescription
Proposed Tamil Nadu Flag (DMK).png Tamil Nadu Proposed in 1970The Government of Tamil Nadu proposed a design for a state flag in 1970. [21] Grey flag with the flag of India in the canton and the Emblem of Tamil Nadu in the fly.
Flag of Karnataka (2018 proposed).svg Karnataka Proposed in 2018The Government of Karnataka proposed a design for a state flag in 2018. [22] Yellow, white and red tricolour with the Emblem of Karnataka centred on the white band.

Banners of the states and union territories

When a distinctive banner is required to represent a state or union territory, the emblem of the state or union territory is usually displayed on a white field. [23] [24] [25]

States

Union territories

Historical flags

Indian polities

FlagDurationUseDescription
Delhi Sultanate Flag.svg 1320–1413Flag of the Tughlaq dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate according to the Catalan Atlas, but there is no evidence this was actually used by the Delhi Sultanate.A dark green flag with a black strip left of center.
Flag of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate.svg 1490–1636Flag of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate [ citation needed ]A dark green triangular swallowtailed field.
Qutbshahi Flag.svg 1518–1687Flag of the Golconda Sultanate [ citation needed ]A turquoise field.
Alam of the Mughal Empire.svg 1526–1858Flag of the Mughal Empire (Alam)A flag that was primarily moss green. [26]
Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg 1674–1818Flag of the Maratha Empire ( Bhagwa Dhwaj )[ citation needed ]A saffron colored swallowtail flag.
Kattar Dhal Talwar.png 1716–1799Flag of The Sikh Confederacy [ citation needed ]Flag of the Nihang Khalsa Fauj showing weapons like Katar (dagger), Dhal Shield and Kirpan. The standard goes from 'bottom to top' signifying that the armies of the tenth guru are always victorious.
Sikh Empire flag.svg 1799–1849Flag of the Sikh Empire (Nishan Sahib)[ citation needed ]A triangular flag that was saffron with a green border.

Colonial India

British rule in India

FlagDurationUseDescription
British Raj Red Ensign.svg 1880–1947 Civil Ensign of India used to represent India internationally.A Red Ensign with the Union Jack at the canton, defaced with the Star of India emblem displayed in the fly.
Flag of the Governor-General of India (1885-1947).svg 1885–1947Flag of the Viceroy and Governor-General of India The Union Jack defaced with the insignia of the Order of the Star of India beneath the Tudor Crown.
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 1858–1947The official state flag of the British Empire used in IndiaThe Flag of the United Kingdom.
Flag of the British East India Company (1801).svg 1801–1858 Flag of the East India Company A striped banner with the Union Jack in the canton.
Flag of the British East India Company (1707).svg 1707–1801Flag of the East India CompanyA striped banner with the Union Jack of Great Britain in the canton.
British East India Company flag.svg 1600–1707Flag of the East India Company A striped banner with Saint George's Cross in the canton.
Princely states

French India

FlagDateUseDescription
Pavillon royal de la France.svg 1667–1791Flag of the Kingdom of France Flag of the Kingdom of France.
Flag of France (1790-1794).svg 1791–17941791–1792: Flag of the Kingdom of France
1792–1794: Flag of the French First Republic
The flag of France.
Drapeau Royaume de France 1815-1830.jpg 1814–1815
1815–1830
Flag of the Kingdom of France under the Bourbon Restoration Flag of the Kingdom of France.
Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg 1794–1804, 1830–1940, 1944–19541794–1804: Flag of the French First Republic
1804–1814, 1815: Flag of the First French Empire
1830–1848; Flag of the Kingdom of France
1848–1852: Flag of the French Second Republic
1852–1870: Flag of the Second French Empire
1870–1940: Flag of the French Third Republic and French Empire
1944–1946: Flag of the Provisional Government of the Fourth French Republic
1946–1954: Flag of the French Fourth Republic and French Union
The flag of France.
Flag of Free France (1940-1944).svg 1940–1944Flag of French India under Free France Flag of Free France with the Cross of Lorraine

Portuguese India

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal (1485-mid-16th century).svg
1497–1521Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.
Flag Portugal (1578).svg 1578–1616Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.
Flag Portugal (1616).svg 1616–1640Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.
Flag Portugal (1640).svg 1640–1667Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.
Bandeira nos Galeoes da India.png 17th and 18th centuriesPortuguese Indian Naval Ensign.
Flag Portugal (1667).svg 1667–1706Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.
Bandeira Comercio da India.png 18th centuryPortuguese Indian Merchant Ensign
Flag Portugal (1707).svg 1706–1750Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.
Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves (1815-1825).svg 1816–1826Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves.
Flag Portugal (1707).svg 1826–1830Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.
Flag of Portugal (1830-1910).svg 1830–1910Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.Vertical bicolour blue-white. Proportion of the fields: 1:1.
Flag of Portugal.svg 1910–1961 (de facto)
1910–1974 (de jure)
Flag of the Portuguese Republic. The final state flag of Portuguese India.Used from the implantation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910. Officially used until 1974, as Portugal only then recognised the Annexation of Portuguese India.
Flag of Portuguese India (proposal).svg 1967 (proposed)Proposed official flag for Portuguese India in 1967.Proposal by F. P. de Almeida Langhans. Never actually used.
Flag of Portuguese Colony Governor General.svg 1935–1961Distinctive Flag of a Portuguese Overseas Governor-General (used by the Governor-General of Portuguese India)

Dutch India

FlagDateUseDescription
Prinsenvlag.svg 1605–1795 The Prince's Flag
Statenvlag.svg 1652–1795 States Flag
Flag of the Batavian Republic.svg 1795–1806 Flag of the Batavian Republic
Flag of the Netherlands.svg 1813–1825Flag of Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands and the United Kingdom of the Netherlands

Danish India

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Denmark.svg 1620–1869The flag of Denmark (Denmark-Norway until 1814)

Swedish India

FlagDateUseDescription
Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg 1731–1813The flag of Sweden

Austrian India

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Austria.svg 1778–1785The flag of Archduchy of Austria

Indian independence movement

Flags used in the Indian independence movement

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of India 1906 (Calcutta Flag).svg 1906 Calcutta flag Three horizontal bands of equal width with the top being orange, the centre yellow, and the bottom green. It had eight half-opened lotus flowers on the top stripe, and a picture of the sun and a crescent moon on the bottom stripe. वन्दे मातरम् ( Vande Mātaram ) was inscribed in the centre in Devanagari. The partition of Bengal (1905) resulted in the introduction of a new Indian flag that sought to unite the multitude of castes and races within the country. The Vande Mataram flag, part of the Swadeshi movement against the British, comprised Indian religious symbols represented in western heraldic fashion. The tricolour flag included eight white lotuses on the upper green band representing the eight provinces, a sun and a crescent on the bottom red band, and the Vande Mataram slogan in Hindi on the central yellow band. The flag was launched in Calcutta bereft of any ceremony and the launch was only briefly covered by newspapers. The flag was not covered in contemporary governmental or political reports either, but was used at the annual session of the Indian National Congress. A slightly modified version was subsequently used by Madam Bhikaji Cama at the Second Socialist International Meeting in Stuttgart. Despite the multiple uses of the flag, it failed to generate enthusiasm amongst Indian nationalists. [27]
Flag of India 1907 (Nationalists Flag).svg 1907Early Indian nationalist flags [Note 1]
1907-India-flag.svg
Flag of India 1917.svg 1917Flag of the Home Rule Movement [Note 2] Five red and four green horizontal stripes
On the upper left quadrant was the Union Jack, which signified the Dominion status that the movement sought to achieve. A crescent and a star, both in white, are set in top fly. Seven white stars are arranged as in the Saptarishi constellation (the constellation Ursa Major), which is sacred to Hindus.
No-image-available-4X3.png 1915–1919Flag of Provisional Government of India.
1931 Flag of India.svg 1931–1947The Swaraj Flag, officially adopted by the Indian National Congress in 1931. In the years 1943–1945 it was the official flag of the Azad Hind Imperial Japanese puppet government for India and the Indian National Army
Flag of Azad Hind.svg 1942–1945Flag of the Indian Legion of the Waffen-SS of Nazi Germany Three horizontal strips of saffron, white, and green, with a springing tiger in the centre.

Proposed flags

FlagDateUseDescription
1902 British Empire flag proposal (in India).svg 1902Design reported in the Daily Express to have been proposed as part of a series of Empire flags that would replace the Union Jack in representing individual territories of the British Empire [30] The Cross of Saint George and the crown in the canton would have been present on all Empire flags to represent the English. In the top right would have been the emblem of the territory flying the flag, and in this case, the Star of India. A large sun in the centre symbolizes "the empire on which the sun never sets."
Proposed flag of India (1904).svg Proposed in 1904, used in April 1910Flag proposed in an issue of an Anglo-Indian weekly. [31] Dark blue, green and light blue triband with a purple band at the hoist depicting the Orion constellation. A thin red border surrounds the whole flag.
Gandhi's Original Flag of India Proposal.svg 1921 Mahatma Gandhi's Original Proposal
1921 India flag.svg 1921 Gandhi's flag, introduced at the Indian National Congress meeting in 1921
Proposed flag of Portuguese India (1932).svg 1932Proposed flag for Portuguese India, designed by Afonso de Ornelas.
Mountbatten Proposed Flag of India.svg 1947 Louis Mountbatten's proposed flag for India. [31] The Swaraj flag with a small Union Flag in the canton.
Flag of Portuguese India (1965 proposal).svg 1965Proposed official flag for Portuguese India in 1965. The proposal came after the annexation of the territories in 1961 and was part of a series of similar flags for the other colonies.Proposal by F. P. de Almeida Langhans. Never actually used.

Dominion of India

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of India.svg 1947–1950Flag of the Dominion of India A horizontal tricolour of saffron at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom. In the centre is a navy blue wheel with twenty-four spokes, known as the Ashoka Chakra.
Flag of the Governor-General of India (1947-1950).svg 1947–1950Flag of the governor-general of India Dark blue field emblazoned with the royal crest (a Tudor Crown surmounted by the lion of England, itself wearing the crown), beneath which was the word 'India' in gold majuscules. Similar to flags used by other Governors-General of Commonwealth realms.

Political flags

National parties

PartyFlagRef.
Aam Aadmi Party Aam Aadmi Party logo (English).svg [32]
Bahujan Samaj Party Elephant Bahujan Samaj Party.svg [33]
Bharatiya Janata Party BJP Flag.svg [34]
Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI-M-flag.svg [35]
Indian National Congress Indian National Congress Flag.svg [36]
National People's Party NPP Flag.jpg [37]

House Flags

FlagDateUseDescription
Scindia house flag.svg 1919–present Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd.
House Flag of the Bombay Steam Navigation Company.svg 19th century–1952 Bombay Steam Navigation Company

See also

Notes

  1. Around the same time, another proposal for the flag was initiated by Sister Nivedita, a Hindu reformist and disciple of Swami Vivekananda. The flag consisted of a thunderbolt in the centre and a hundred and eight oil lamps for the border, with the Vande Mataram caption split around the thunderbolt. It was also presented at the Indian National Congress meeting in 1906. [28] Soon, many other proposals were initiated, but none of them gained attention from the nationalist movement.
  2. In 1916, Suraiya Tayyabji submitted thirty new designs, in the form of a booklet funded by members of the High Court of Madras. These many proposals and recommendations did little more than keep the flag movement alive. The same year, Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak adopted a new flag as part of the Home Rule Movement. The flag included the Union Jack in the upper left corner, a star and crescent in the upper right, and seven stars displayed diagonally from the lower right, on a background of five red and four green alternating bands. The flag resulted in the first governmental initiative against any nationalistic flag, as a magistrate in Coimbatore banned its use. The ban was followed by a public debate on the function and importance of a national flag. [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of India</span> National flag

The national flag of India, colloquially called Tiraṅgā, is a horizontal rectangular tricolour flag, the colours being of India saffron, white and India green; with the Ashoka Chakra, a 24-spoke wheel, in navy blue at its centre. It was adopted in its present form during a meeting of the Constituent Assembly held on 22 July 1947, and it became the official flag of the Union of India on 15 August 1947. The flag was subsequently retained as that of the Republic of India. In India, the term "tricolour" almost always refers to the Indian national flag.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proposed states and union territories of India</span>

The constitutional power to create new states and union territories in India is solely reserved with the Parliament of India, which can do so by announcing new states/union territories, separating territory from an existing state or merging two or more states/union territories or parts of them. As of 2024, there are 28 states and eight union territories in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electoral history of the Indian National Congress</span> List of the results of the elections for Congress

Since independence, the Indian National Congress has participated in elections, Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha. This article shows a list of the results of the elections for Congress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Star of India (flag)</span> List of flags used in India under British rule

The Star of India refers to a group of flags used during the period of the British Raj in the Indian subcontinent. India had a range of flags for different purposes during its existence. The Princely states had their own flags which were to be flown alongside the British flag as a symbol of suzerainty. The official state flag for use on land was the Union Flag of the United Kingdom and it was this flag that was lowered on Independence Day in 1947. The flag of the governor-general of India was defaced with the Star of India. The civil ensign and naval ensign were the Red Ensign or Blue Ensign, respectively, defaced with the Star of India emblem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Jammu and Kashmir</span> Union Territory In India

Jammu and Kashmir is administered by the Republic of India within the framework of a federal parliamentary republic as a union territory, like the union territory of Puducherry, with a multi-party democratic system of governance. Until 2019, it was governed as a state administered by India. Politics in the region reflects the historical tension and dispute that the state has been a part of in the form of the Kashmir conflict. The head of state is the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, currently Manoj Sinha, while the head of government is the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, currently vacant. Legislative power is vested in the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir, although this was dissolved by the Governor on 21 November 2018. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Highway 44 (India)</span> National highway in India, running from Srinagar to Kanyakumari

National Highway 44 is a major north–south National Highway in India and is the longest in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of India</span> Overview of and topical guide to India

The following outline is provided as an overview of, and topical guide to, India:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emblem of Tamil Nadu</span> Indian state symbol

The Emblem of Tamil Nadu is the official state emblem of Tamil Nadu and is used as the official state symbol of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State flag of Jammu and Kashmir</span> Flag of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir between 1952–2019

The State flag of Jammu and Kashmir was a symbol used in the former Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir between 1952 and 2019, under the special status accorded to the region by Article 370 of the Constitution of India. It was a red-and-white flag with a representation of a plough and three constituent regions of the state. After the abolition of Article 370 in August 2019, this flag lost its official status.

At present there is no official flag for the state of Karnataka in India. However a number of historical and cultural flags have been used in the state.

Handball Federation of India (HFI) is the governing body for handball in India. HFI is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 at Rohtak. It is a member of the Asian Handball Federation (AHF) and the International Handball Federation (IHF) since 1974. It is also a member of Commonwealth Handball Association and South Asian Handball Federation. Originally, HFI was founded by Jagat Singh Chauhan from Rohtak (Haryana) who was an alumnus of YMCA College of Physical Education of Madras Chennai. He was also the first secretary general of HFI.

The Harijan Mandal was an Ambedkarite political party in Jammu and Kashmir. The party was founded in 1951. It was modelled on the Scheduled Castes Federation. Unlike its predecessor, the All Jammu and Kashmir Harijan Mandal, this organization was oriented towards electoral politics. It was led by Babu Milkhi Ram (president), Munshi Ram, Major Singh and Sain Das. The party was concentrated in Jammu. It was opposed to the Jammu Praja Parishad, which was dominated by upper caste Hindus. The party received government support during the reign of Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emblem of Jammu and Kashmir</span>

The Emblem of Jammu and Kashmir is an official symbol used to represent the government of Jammu and Kashmir, a region administered by India as a union territory.

At present there is no official flag for the state of Tamil Nadu in India. A flag was proposed for the state in 1970 but was not formally adopted at that time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Ladakh</span>

Politics of Ladakh is exercised within democratic setup of the Indian-administered union territory of Ladakh. Major power centres are Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil alongside Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency. Indian National Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party are major political parties. Ladakhi religious organisations like Ladakh Buddhist Association, Imam Khomeni Memorial Trust and Anjuman-e-Jamiat-ul-Ulama Asna Asharia have major influences as well.

References

  1. 1 2 "Flag Code of India" (PDF). www.mha.gov.in. 2002.
  2. Das, Chand N. (1984). Traditions and Customs of the Indian Armed Forces. Vision Books. p. 53.
  3. 1 2 3 "Indian Ensigns". www.crwflags.com.
  4. 1 2 3 "Flags of Indian Port Authorities". www.crwflags.com.
  5. "Swords, eagle, anchor: Gen Bipin Rawat to don new uniform as CDS". www.newindianexpress.com. 1 January 2020.
  6. "BHARAT/INDIA Part 2". www.hubert-herald.nl.
  7. "Indian Army Flags". fotw.fivestarflags.com.
  8. 1 2 "CURRENT FLAGS OF THE INDIAN ARMY". tmg110.tripod.com.
  9. 1 2 "New Design of The PRESIDENT'S STANDARD AND COLOUR, and the INDIAN NAVY CREST Unveiled". pib.gov.in. 5 December 2022.
  10. "Indian Air Force Flags".
  11. "Indian Air Force Flags".
  12. "Indian Air Force Flags".
  13. "Indian Air Force Flags".
  14. "Indian Air Force Flags".
  15. "Indian Air Force Flags".
  16. "Indian Air Force Flags".
  17. "Should States have their own flags?". The Hindu. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  18. "'Non-NDA states playing emblem politics to cover up their failure'". 14 July 2018.
  19. "Flag Code of India - Wikisource, the free online library". en.wikisource.org. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  20. Haynes, Ed (24 September 1996). "Jammu and Kashmir (India)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 22 October 2010.
  21. "When Tamil Nadu proposed a State flag nearly five decades ago". Archived from the original on 23 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  22. "Karnataka government unveils the state flag, awaits Centre's approval". hindustantimes.com/. 2018-03-08. Retrieved 2018-03-08.
  23. "Vexilla Mundi". vexilla-mundi.com. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  24. "Arunachal: New Pema Khandu govt to revamp education, law & order - EastMojo".
  25. "AMIT SINGH on Facebook". Facebook . Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.[ user-generated source ]
  26. "A panorama in 12 folds showing the procession of the Emperor Bahadur Shah to celebrate the feast of the 'Id. f. 59v-A". British Library . Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  27. Virmani, Arundhati (August 1999). "National Symbols under Colonial Domination: The Nationalization of the Indian Flag, March–August 1923". Past & Present. 164 (164): 175–176. doi:10.1093/past/164.1.169. JSTOR   651278.
  28. Roy, Srirupa (August 2006). "A Symbol of Freedom: The Indian Flag and the Transformations of Nationalism, 1906–". Journal of Asian Studies. 65 (3): 498–499. ISSN   0021-9118. OCLC   37893507.
  29. Virmani 1999, pp. 176–177
  30. "A British Empire Flag" . The New York Times. The London Express. 9 February 1902. p. 3. Retrieved 20 August 2023 via The New York Times Archives.
  31. 1 2 Dipesh Navsaria (July 27, 1996). "Indian Flag Proposals". Flags of the World. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  32. "Aam Aadmi Party". aamaadmiparty.org. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  33. "Bahujan Samaj Party: BSP, National Political Party of India". Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  34. "Bharatiya Janata Party".
  35. "Communist Party of India (Marxist)". Communist Party of India (Marxist). Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  36. "Indian National Congress". Indian National Congress. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  37. "National People's Party". NATIONAL PEOPLE'S PARTY. Retrieved 2023-05-04.