Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Rare Photos Capture Calcutta's First Independence Day, August 15, 1947
On August 15, 1947, India became independent after almost two hundred years of British rule.
That day, the city of Calcutta was full of happy people celebrating.
The Indian tricolour flag flew high over the city.
Crowds packed onto trams and filled the streets, with some people even sitting on top of trams.
Special ceremonies took place at a big government building called Raj Bhavan.
The new West Bengal ministry took its oath of office there, in front of the Governor, C. Rajagopalachari.
He also took part in the flag-hoisting ceremony.
Volunteers from a group called the Congress Sevadal marched in a parade.
The city was extra joyful because it had just gone through hard times of violence and the trauma of Partition.
The day was full of pride, relief, and hope for the future.
Calcutta celebrated India's first Independence Day on August 15, 1947, with jubilant crowds filling trams and streets.
The newly formed West Bengal ministry took the oath of office at Raj Bhavan in the presence of Governor C. Rajagopalachari.
C. Rajagopalachari took part in the flag-hoisting ceremony at Raj Bhavan as Calcutta marked its first Independence Day.
Members of the Congress Sevadal joined an Independence Day procession in Calcutta as celebrations unfolded across the country.
The celebrations marked independence after nearly two centuries of British colonial rule, following a period of communal violence and the trauma of Partition.
- Who
- The people of Calcutta, the newly formed West Bengal ministry, members of the Congress Sevadal, and C. Rajagopalachari, Governor of West Bengal.
- What
- India's first Independence Day celebrations, including the West Bengal ministry's oath-taking and a flag-hoisting ceremony at Raj Bhavan.
- When
- August 15, 1947
- Where
- Calcutta, India
- Why
- India gained independence after nearly two centuries of British colonial rule, and the city felt pride and relief after enduring communal violence and the trauma of Partition.
- Event
- India's first Independence Day celebrations
- Date
- August 15, 1947
- Location
- Calcutta, India
- Key ceremony
- Oath-taking of the West Bengal ministry at Raj Bhavan
- Official present
- C. Rajagopalachari, Governor of West Bengal
- Other events
- Flag-hoisting at Raj Bhavan and Congress Sevadal procession
- Photo source
- ABP Archives
- Historical context
- Independence after nearly two centuries of British colonial rule; city had endured communal violence and Partition trauma