Archive · 30 Jul 2025
India's Oldest Flag: A Historical Gem at Fort St George
Imagine a very old, important Indian flag, the oldest one that's still around!
It's kept in a museum in Chennai, where it was first raised on Independence Day.
The flag is made of silk and it was first shown to the public in 2013 to celebrate 75 years of Independence.
A brave man, Arya K Bashyam, even snuck into the fort to raise the Indian flag before.
The flag started with a different design, made by Pingalli Venkayya.
The flag's design evolved to the Tricolour we recognize today.
The flag is a symbol of India's fight for freedom and its journey.
India's oldest surviving Tricolour is displayed at the Fort St George Museum in Chennai.
The flag was first hoisted at Fort St George on August 15, 1947, before the official raising in Delhi.
The flag is made of silk and was made public in 2013 to mark the 75th year of Independence.
Arya K Bashyam, a freedom fighter, hoisted the Tricolour at Fort St George in 1932.
Pingalli Venkayya designed the initial flag, and the Ashok Chakra replaced the charkha after Independence.
- Who
- The flag was designed by Pingalli Venkayya and was hoisted by Arya K Bashyam.
- What
- The oldest surviving Indian Tricolour and its history.
- When
- First hoisted on August 15, 1947.
- Where
- Fort St George Museum, Chennai.
- Why
- To commemorate Independence and celebrate India's freedom.
Freedom Fighters
British Rule
Actions taken for Independence
Freedom Fighters
They believed in fighting for the freedom of India.
British Rule
The British resisted their actions.
- Location
- Fort St George Museum, Chennai
- Flag Material
- Silk
- First Hoisted
- August 15, 1947
- Flag Designer
- Pingalli Venkayya
- Flag Hoisting in 1932
- Arya K Bashyam
- Original Design Symbol
- Charkha
- Current Design Symbol
- Ashok Chakra