Independence Day 2026: 10 facts about the Tiranga's evolution

India is a big country that will soon celebrate its 80th Independence Day on August 15, 2026.

Long ago, Britain ruled over India for about two hundred years.

Many brave people worked hard and sacrificed a lot to make India free in 1947.

India's national flag is called the Tiranga, which means "three colours."

It has a saffron stripe, a white stripe and a green stripe, with a navy blue wheel with 24 spokes in the middle.

The saffron stands for courage and sacrifice, white stands for honesty, peace and purity, and green stands for prosperity.

The flag changed many times over the years before it looked like it does today.

The very first unofficial flag was shown in 1906 in Calcutta and had red, yellow and green stripes.

Today's flag was designed by a freedom fighter named Pingali Venkayya.

There are special rules for the flag: it must be made of Khadi cloth, and it must be hoisted during the daytime with the saffron colour on top.