Who Designed the Indian National Flag? The Story About the Tricolour

As India celebrating its 80th Independence Day in 2026, there are many historical events that can be reflected on. One of the most recognizable symbols of an independent India is Tiranga, the Indian National Flag.

On each Independence Day and Republic Day, the tricolour of saffron, white and green, along with the blue Ashoka Chakra, can be seen all across the nation from people’s houses and schools to public buildings and streets. The tricolor represents the principles that are integral parts of the Indian national identity.

Thus, it is important to mention the designer of the Indian National Flag.

Among the creators of the Indian National Flag Pingali Venkayya occupies the first place. Together with Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology and contributions of the national movement, his contribution led to the formation of the flag of India that was adopted in 1947.

Who Is Pingali Venkayya?

Pingali Venkayya was born in 1876 in present-day Andhra Pradesh. The man was a freedom fighter, scholar and a designer who became interested in designing a national flag in his youth.

Also, Venkayya took part in the Second Boer War in South Africa while serving in the British Indian Army. During his lifetime, he became very interested in the topic of designing a national flag.

As a result, he became noticed by Mahatma Gandhi who advised him to create a national flag for India.

A National Flag for India Book by Pingali Venkayya

Venkayya’s interest in a national flag extended much further than just a designing the flag itself.

Thus, in 1916, Venkayya created a book called A National Flag for India. In this book, he proposed different designs of a national flag as well as talked about the importance of having a distinctive symbol of India.

Thus, the book demonstrates Venkayya’s devotion to the idea of designing a national symbol of India during the freedom movement.

Pingali Venkayya and the 1921 Design

One of the most important events in the history of the Indian National Flag was the presentation of its design in 1921 to Mahatma Gandhi by Pingali Venkayya.

Originally, the flag design included only two colors, red and green. At that time, the colors of the flag were meant to represent two major communities in the country – Hindus and Muslims.

However, Gandhi felt that the flag had to represent the diversity of the country, and not just two communities.

Therefore, he recommended adding a white strip to the flag, along with the charkha or spinning wheel at the center.

The evolution of this design would eventually result in the creation of the tricolor flag of India adopted in 1947.

What was Mahatma Gandhi’s Idea Behind the Tricolor?

Mahatma Gandhi had no view on the national flag as a mere political symbol. Instead, he envisioned a flag which would represent ideas of unity, inclusiveness and self-reliance.

The addition of the white stripe would help broaden the representation of the flag. The charkha became a symbol of the Swadeshi movement.

For Gandhi, the spinning wheel stood for,

• Self-reliance
• Swadeshi
• Economic independence
• Dignity of labour

Thus, charkha was an integral part of the national flag which represented the economic and social ideals of the freedom movement.

How did the Present Indian National Flag evolve?

Indian National Flag was not created in one go. Its evolution included several designs during the freedom struggle period.

Various flags have been used between the early twentieth century and the Independence of the country. The changes in the designs have occurred due to the political reasons and efforts to create a national flag symbolizing the country as a whole.

Finally, the design accepted by the Constituent Assembly on July 22, 1947, was created with the saffron, white and green stripes and the Ashoka Chakra in navy blue on the center of the white strip.

Charkha was substituted by the Ashoka Chakra, associating the national flag with dharma, justice and progress ideals of the Emperor Ashoka and ancient Buddhism tradition.

What Is the Meaning of the Three Colours of the Indian Flag?

The colours of the Tricolour have special significance.

Saffron

• The saffron colour stands for bravery and sacrifice. This colour stands for the dedication and sacrifice that the country deserves.

White

• The white colour stands for peace and truth. It is located at the centre of the flag and stands for the significance of truth, peace, and harmony.

Green

• The green colour stands for qualities that relate to prosperity and fertility. It also denotes the association of India with its land and agriculture.

What Is the Symbolism Behind the Ashoka Chakra?

The Ashoka Chakra is the blue wheel that is placed in the centre of the white band.

It has 24 spokes and has been taken from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.

The Chakra symbolizes righteousness, dharma, and constant motion. This indicates the need for India to keep moving forward.

The wheel has replaced the charkha in the final national flag of 1947.