Independence Day flag hoisting at red fort: Whenever the festival of independence of India comes on August 15, the first picture that emerges in our mind is our glorious tricolor hoisting from the ramparts of the Red Fort of Delhi. It has become a tradition by the Prime Minister to hoist the national flag from this historic building and address the nation. But, have you ever wondered that despite having so many other grand Mughal buildings in the country’s capital, why is the tricolor hoisted only on the Red Fort? There is a deep historical and symbolic reason behind this.
Historical witness to transfer power
15 August 1947, it was the day when India got independence from the British 200 years of slavery. That day, the country’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the tricolor for the first time in a historic ceremony, above the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort. This was not just a flag hoisting incident, but it was a symbolic function of transfer of power.
, Mughal Empire stronghold: The Red Fort was the center of the Mughal Empire for several centuries, one of the most prominent rulers who ruled India. Later, when the British Raj was established on India, he also used this fort as a symbol of its power.
, Energy of British rule When Pandit Nehru hoisted the tricolor at the Red Fort, it was not just a change of one flag. It was announced that now India is neither ruled by the Mughals nor the British. Now the rule of India is in the hands of Indians. This tricolor, which was a symbol of the identity and freedom of the Indian people, was hoisted at a place that had been a symbol of foreign power for centuries. It was a powerful message in itself.
National Importance of Red Fort
The Red Fort is not just a tourist destination, but it is a symbol of our national pride, history and struggle.
, Witness to freedom struggle: The Red Fort has seen many important moments of the freedom struggle. After the revolt of 1857, Bahadur Shah Zafar was arrested from here.
, Center for Indianness: The Prime Minister’s speech from the Red Fort shows the unity and integrity of the country. This is a platform from where the entire country is addressed, which strengthens the spirit of nationality among all citizens.
Why not on other buildings,
Other Mughal buildings like Humayun’s Tomb or Qutub Minar may be magnificent examples of architecture, but they do not have the historical and political significance that belongs to the Red Fort. These buildings are mainly mausoleums or Vijay pillars, not the centers of power. The Red Fort was the only building that was the center of governance for centuries. Therefore, hoisting the tricolor on it was announced on the arrival of a new and independent power.
Thus, hoisting the tricolor on the Red Fort is not just a tradition, but a vibrant symbol of our country’s independence, struggle and the beginning of a new era. This reminds us how we made our mark as an independent and sovereign nation, leaving behind centuries of slavery.
Also Read: A strong speech on Independence Day, hearing this, everyone will welcome you with applause
