Archive · 2 Oct 2026
How Mahatma Gandhi Became India’s Currency Face Over Time
After India became independent, its banknotes still showed King George VI for a while.
The Reserve Bank of India then created designs that represented the new country.
The Lion Capital of Ashoka became an important symbol on the notes.
Gandhi did not appear on regular notes right away.
He first appeared in 1969 on special notes celebrating his 100th birthday.
In 1987, he appeared on a ₹500 note.
In 1996, the RBI began using his portrait regularly across Indian banknotes.
The portrait was adapted from a 1946 photograph of Gandhi in Delhi.
Gandhi was chosen because he was a major leader of India’s freedom movement and was known worldwide for non-violent resistance.
India initially retained banknotes featuring British King George VI after independence in 1947.
The Lion Capital of Ashoka replaced the monarch’s portrait as the principal symbol on Indian notes.
Gandhi first appeared on currency in 1969 on a commemorative series marking his birth centenary.
The Reserve Bank of India introduced a ₹500 note featuring Gandhi in 1987.
In 1996, the Mahatma Gandhi Series made his portrait a standard feature on Indian banknotes.
- Who
- The Reserve Bank of India introduced the designs, and Mahatma Gandhi became the featured historical figure.
- What
- Gandhi’s portrait gradually became the standard front image on Indian banknotes.
- When
- Gandhi first appeared on a note in 1969, appeared on a ₹500 note in 1987, and became standard in 1996.
- Where
- The photograph adapted for the portrait was taken in Delhi; the notes were issued in India.
- Why
- Gandhi was a prominent freedom-movement leader who was internationally associated with India’s struggle against British rule and non-violent resistance.
- Independence
- India became independent in 1947.
- Initial portrait
- Banknotes initially carried the portrait of British King George VI.
- Earlier national symbol
- The Lion Capital of Ashoka became the principal symbol on Indian banknotes.
- First Gandhi appearance
- 1969, on a commemorative series marking Gandhi’s birth centenary.
- 1987 milestone
- The RBI introduced a ₹500 banknote featuring Gandhi.
- 1996 milestone
- The Mahatma Gandhi Series made his portrait a standard feature on Indian banknotes.
- Portrait source
- The image was adapted from a 1946 Delhi photograph showing Gandhi alongside Lord Pethick-Lawrence.