15th August is celebrated as Independence Day in India. On this date, India got freedom from British rule in 1947. However, the achievement was not short-fought. The struggle for freedom stretches back 200 years before independence.
The Britishers came to India for foreign trade via East-India Company in late 1600, which grew to be the central point for them to expand branches in deep-pockets of India, thus gaining dominant political control.
During the years of tension, great warriors and freedom fighters were born which, successfully, led India to its independence. Today, India completes 70 years of its Independence.
10+ Facts about Indian Independence:
1. Celebrated in 5 other countries: 15th August is celebrated as Independence Day in 5 other countries expect India – Bahrain, North Korea, South Korea, Liechtenstein and Republic of Congo.
2. Adoption of National Anthem: India’s national anthem was not adopted until 1950 – 3 years after independence.
3. The Actual Reason for National Anthem: Jana Gana Mana’ was not written to be adopted as India’s National Anthem, initially. It was written by Rabindranath Tagore to pay homage to King George V in 1911.
4. First Prime Minister wasn’t Nehru: Jawahar Nal Nehru lost the Prime Ministry elections to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. However, Nehru was replaced to Patel to become India’s first Prime Minister.
5. Taking the inspiration from: The date ‘August 15’ was chosen by the Last Viceroy and first Governor General of India Lord Mountbatten. The same day in 1945 Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces at the end of the World War II.
6. The currency: Indian rupee in 1947 was equal to Re 1 = $1 and currently 64.16/dollar.
7. Gold Prices: At the time of independence of India, gold price was (in 1947) 88.62 Rs/10 grams however now, it is 28,550 Rs/10 grams.
8. The final Flag: Initially, the flag had only orange & green strips. Gandhiji suggested the addition of a white strip to represent the remaining communities of India and the spinning wheel to symbolize progress of the Nation.
9. PM received Global Attention: PM Jawaharlal Lal Nehru became known all over the world for his unique attire & dressing style. His single-breasted jacket got him featured in Vogue magazine. Nehru jacket was listed on Time list of ‘global fashion statement.’
10. National Song: The National Song of India is ‘Vande Mataram’ which is a poem composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1870s and included in his 1881 novel Anandamath. The song’s first two verses are adopted as the National Song of India.
11. Multi-Linguistic Freedom Fighter: Bhagat Singh, well-known freedom fighter, was highly fluent in many different languages like French, Swedish, English, Arabic, Hindi and Punjabi.
12. Appreciating Gandhiji: Mahatma Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace prize 5 times.
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