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| Independence Day | |
|---|---|
 Theflag of India hoisted at theRed Fort inDelhi; hoisted flags are a common sight on Independence Day. | |
| Observed by | India |
| Type | Public |
| Significance | Commemorates theindependence of India |
| Celebrations | Flag hoisting, parade, fireworks, singing patriotic songs and the National AnthemJana Gana Mana, speech by thePrime Minister of India and thePresident of India |
| Date | 15 August |
| Next time | 15 August 2026 (2026-08-15) |
| Duration | 24 hours |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | 15 August 1947 (78 years ago) (1947-08-15) |
| Related to | Republic Day |
Independence Day is celebrated annually on 15 August as apublic holiday in India commemorating the nation'sindependence from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1947. On this day theIndian Independence Act 1947 came into effect, transferring legislativesovereignty to theIndian Constituent Assembly. India attained independence following theindependence movement noted for largelynon-violent resistance andcivil disobedience led byIndian National Congress under the leadership ofMahatma Gandhi.[1]
Independence coincided with thepartition of India,[2] in whichBritish India was divided into theDominions of India andPakistan; the partition was accompanied by violent riots and mass casualties. On 15 August 1947, the firstPrime Minister of India,Jawaharlal Nehru raised theIndian national flag above theLahori Gate of theRed Fort inDelhi. On each subsequent Independence Day, the incumbent Prime Minister customarily raises the flag and gives an address to the nation.[3] The entire event is broadcast byDoordarshan, India's national broadcaster, and usually begins with theshehnai music ofUstad Bismillah Khan. Independence Day is observed throughout India with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural events. It is a national holiday in the country.[4][5][6]
European traders had established outposts in theIndian subcontinent by the late 17th century. Through overwhelming military strength, theEast India Company fought and annexed local kingdoms andestablished themselves as the dominant force by the 18th century. Following theIndian Rebellion of 1857, theGovernment of India Act 1858 led theBritish Crown to assume direct control of India. In the decades following,civic society gradually emerged across India, most notably theIndian National Congress Party, formed in 1885.[7][1]: 123 The period afterWorld War I was marked by colonial reforms such as theMontagu–Chelmsford Reforms, but it also witnessed the enactment of the unpopularRowlatt Act and calls for self-rule by Indian activists. The discontent of this period crystallised into nationwide non-violent movements of non-cooperation and civil disobedience, led byMahatma Gandhi.[1]: 167
During the 1930s, the reform was gradually legislated by the British; Congress won victories in the resulting elections.[1]: 195–197 The next decade was beset with political turmoil:Indian participation in World War II, the Congress' final push for non-cooperation, and an upsurge ofMuslim nationalism led by theAll-India Muslim League. The escalating political tension was capped by Independence in 1947. The jubilation was tempered by thebloody partition ofcolonial India into India and Pakistan.[1]: 203
Hasrat Mohani was the first person in Indian History who demanded 'Complete Independence' (Azadi-e-Kaamil), at the 1929 session of the Indian National Congress, thePurna Swaraj declaration, or "Declaration of the Independence of India" was promulgated,[8] and 26 January was declared as Independence Day in 1930.[8] The Congress called on people to pledge themselves tocivil disobedience and "to carry out the Congress instructions issued from time to time" until India attained complete independence.[9] Celebration of such an Independence Day was envisioned to stoke nationalistic fervour among Indian citizens, and to force the British government to consider granting independence.[10]: 19 The Congress observed 26 January as the Independence Day between 1930 and 1946.[11][12] The celebration was marked by meetings where the attendants took the "pledge of independence".[10]: 19–20 Jawaharlal Nehru described in his autobiography that such meetings were peaceful, solemn, and "without any speeches or exhortation".[13] Gandhi envisaged that besides the meetings, the day would be spent " ... in doing some constructive work, whether it is spinning, or service of 'untouchables,' or reunion of Hindus and Mussalmans, or prohibition work, or even all these together".[14] Following actual independence in 1947, theConstitution of India came into effect on and from 26 January 1950; since then 26 January is celebrated asRepublic Day.
In 1946, theLabour government in Britain, its exchequer exhausted by the recently concludedWorld War II, realised that it had neither the mandate at home, the international support nor the reliability ofnative forces for continuing to maintain control in an increasingly restless India.[1]: 203 [15][16][17] On 20 February 1947, Prime MinisterClement Attlee announced that the British government would grant full self-governance to British India by June 1948 at the latest.[18]
The newviceroy,Lord Mountbatten, advanced the date for the transfer of power, believing the continuous contention between the Congress and theMuslim League might lead to a collapse of the interim government.[19] He chose the second anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, 15 August, as the date of power transfer.[19] The British government announced on 3 June 1947 that it had accepted the idea of partitioning British India into two states;[18] the successor governments would be givendominion status and would have an implicit right to secede from theBritish Commonwealth. TheIndian Independence Act 1947 (10 & 11 Geo 6 c. 30) of theParliament of the United Kingdom partitionedBritish India into the two new independent dominions of India and Pakistan (including what is nowBangladesh) with effect from 15 August 1947, and granted complete legislative authority upon the respectiveconstituent assemblies of the new countries.[20] The Act receivedroyal assent on 18 July 1947.
Millions of Muslim, Sikh and Hindu refugees trekked thenewly drawn borders in the months surrounding independence.[21] InPunjab, where the borders divided theSikh regions in halves, massive bloodshed followed; inBengal andBihar, where Mahatma Gandhi's presence assuaged communal tempers, the violence was mitigated. In all, between 250,000 and 1,000,000 people on both sides of the new borders died in the violence.[22] While the entire nation was celebrating the Independence Day, Gandhi stayed inCalcutta in an attempt to stem the carnage.[23] On 14 August 1947, theIndependence Day of Pakistan, the new Dominion of Pakistan came into being;Muhammad Ali Jinnah was sworn in as its firstGovernor General inKarachi.
TheConstituent Assembly of India met for its fifth session at 11 pm on 14 August in the Constitution Hall in New Delhi.[24] The session was chaired by the presidentRajendra Prasad. In this session,Jawaharlal Nehru delivered theTryst with Destiny speech proclaiming India's independence.
Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history when we step out from the old to the new when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment, we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.
— Tryst with Destiny speech, Jawaharlal Nehru, 15 August 1947[25]
The members of the Assembly formally took the pledge of being in the service of the country. A group of women, representing the women of India, formally presented the national flag to the assembly.
The Dominion of India became an independent country as official ceremonies took place in New Delhi. Nehru assumed office as thefirst prime minister, and the viceroy,Lord Mountbatten, continued as its firstgovernor general.[26]: 6 Gandhi's name was invoked by crowds celebrating the occasion; Gandhi himself however took no part in the official events. Instead, he marked the day with a 24-hour fast, during which he spoke to a crowd in Calcutta, encouraging peace between Hindus and Muslims.[26]: 10
08.30 am. Swearing in of governor general and ministers at
Government House
09.40 am. Procession of ministers to Constituent Assembly
09.50 am. State drive to Constituent Assembly
09.55 am. Royal salute to governor general
10.30 am. Hoisting of national flag at Constituent Assembly
10.35 am. State drive to Government House
06.00 pm. Flag ceremony at India Gate
07.00 pm. Illuminations
07.45 pm. Fireworks display
08.45 pm. Official dinner at Government House
10.15 pm. Reception at Government office.
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Independence Day, one of the threeNational holidays in India (the other two being theRepublic Day on 26 January andMahatma Gandhi's birthday on 2 October), is observed in all Indian states and union territories. On the eve of Independence Day, thePresident of India delivers the "Address to the Nation". On 15 August, the Prime Minister hoists theIndian flag on the ramparts of the historical site ofRed Fort in Delhi.[3] In his speech, the Prime Minister highlights the past year's achievements, raises important issues and calls for further development. He pays tribute to the leaders of theIndian independence movement. The Indian national anthem, "Jana Gana Mana", is sung. The speech is followed by amarch past of divisions of theIndian Armed Forces andparamilitary forces. Parades and pageants showcase scenes from the independence struggle and India's diverse cultural traditions. Similar events take place in state capitals where theChief Ministers of individual states unfurl the national flag, followed by parades and pageants.[27][28] Until 1973, the Governor of the State hoisted the National Flag at the State capital. In February 1974, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,M. Karunanidhi took up the issue with then Prime MinisterIndira Gandhi that the Chief Ministers, like the Prime Minister, should be allowed to hoist the national flag on Independence Day. Since 1974, Chief Ministers of the respective states have been allowed to hoist the national flag on Independence Day.[29][30]
Flag-hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes take place in governmental and non-governmental institutions throughout the country.[31] Schools and colleges conduct flag hoisting ceremonies and various cultural events. Governmental and non-governmental institutions decorate their premises with paper, balloon decorations with hangings of freedom fighter portraits on their walls and major government buildings are often adorned with strings of lights.[32] In Delhi and some other cities, kite flying adds to the occasion.[33][34] National flags of different sizes are used abundantly to symbolise allegiance to the country.[35] Citizens adorn their clothing, wristbands, cars, household accessories with replicas of the tri-colour.[35] Over a period of time, the celebration has changed emphasis from nationalism to a broader celebration of all things India.[36][37]
In some places ofNadia,West Bengal, Independence Day celebrated on 17–18 August instead of 15 August, as the rest of Nadia district exceptNabadwip had become part ofPakistan for map drawing error. The error was corrected on the night of 17 August after popular protests.[38][39]
TheIndian diaspora celebrates Independence Day around the world with parades and pageants, particularly in regions with higher concentrations of Indian immigrants.[40] In some locations, such asNew York and other US cities, 15 August has become "India Day" among the diaspora and the local populace. Pageants celebrate "India Day" either on 15 August or an adjoining weekend day.[41]
As early as three years after independence, theNaga National Council called for a boycott of Independence Day innortheast India.[42] Separatist protests in this region intensified in the 1980s; calls for boycotts and terrorist attacks by insurgent organisations such as theUnited Liberation Front of Assam and theNational Democratic Front of Bodoland, marred celebrations.[43] With increasinginsurgency in Jammu and Kashmir from the late 1980s,[44] separatist protesters boycotted Independence Day there withbandh (strikes), use of black flags and byflag burning.[45][46][47] Terrorist groups such asLashkar-e-Taiba, theHizbul Mujahideen and theJaish-e-Mohammed have issued threats, and have carried out attacks around Independence Day.[48] Boycotting of the celebration has also been advocated by insurgentMaoist rebel organisations.[49][50]
In the anticipation of terrorist attacks, particularly from militants, security measures are intensified, especially in major cities such as Delhi and Mumbai and in troubled states such asJammu and Kashmir.[51][52] The airspace around the Red Fort is declared ano-fly zone to prevent aerial attacks[53] and additional police forces are deployed in other cities.[54]
Since theassassination of Indira Gandhi, prime ministers would give their speeches from behind abullet-proof glass panel.[55] Since 2014, whenNarendra Modi was elected as prime minister, he did away with this tradition.[56] Nevertheless, additional intense measures were taken to ensure security of Modi.[57]
On Independence Day and Republic Day, patriotic songs inregional languages are broadcast on television and radio channels.[58] They are also played alongside flag-hoisting ceremonies.[58] Patriotic films are broadcast.[31] Over the decades, according toThe Times of India, the number of such films broadcast has decreased as channels report that audiences are oversaturated with patriotic films.[59] The population belonging toGeneration Y often combine nationalism withpopular culture during the celebrations. This mixture is exemplified by outfits and savouries dyed with the tricolour and garments that represent India's various cultural traditions.[36][60] Shops often offer Independence Day sales promotions.[61][62] Some news reports have decried the commercialism.[61][63][64]Indian Postal Service publishes commemorative stamps depicting independence movement leaders, nationalistic themes and defence-related themes on 15 August.[65]
Independence and partition inspiredliterary and other artistic creations.[66] Such creations mostly describe the human cost of partition, limiting the holiday to a small part of their narrative.[67][68]Salman Rushdie's novelMidnight's Children (1980), which won theBooker Prize and theBooker of Bookers, wove its narrative around children born at midnight of 14–15 August 1947 with magical abilities.[68]Freedom at Midnight (1975) is a non-fiction work byLarry Collins andDominique Lapierre that chronicled the events surrounding the first Independence Day celebrations in 1947. Few films centre on the moment of independence,[69][70][71] instead highlighting the circumstances of partition and its aftermath.[69][72][73] On the Internet, Google has been commemorating Independence Day of India since 2003 with a specialdoodle on its Indian homepage.[74]
We recognise, however, that the most effective way of getting our freedom is not through violence. We will therefore prepare ourselves by withdrawing, so far as we can, all voluntary association from British Government, and will prepare for civil disobedience, including non-payment of taxes. We are convinced that if we can but withdraw our voluntary help and stop payment of taxes without doing violence, even under provocation; the need of his inhuman rule is assured. We therefore hereby solemnly resolve to carry out the Congress instructions issued from time to time for the purpose of establishing Purna Swaraj.
By the end of 1945, he and the Commander-in-chief,General Auckinleck were advising that there was a real threat in 1946 of large-scale anti-British disorder amounting to even a well-organised rising aiming to expel the British by paralysing the administration.
...it was clear to Attlee that everything depended on the spirit and reliability of the Indian Army: "Provided that they do their duty, armed insurrection in India would not be an insoluble problem. If, however, the Indian Army was to go the other way, the picture would be very different.
...Thus,Wavell concluded, if the army and the police "failed" Britain would be forced to go. In theory, it might be possible to revive and reinvigorate the services, and rule for another fifteen to twenty years, but: It is a fallacy to suppose that the solution lies in trying to maintain the status quo. We have no longer the resources, nor the necessary prestige or confidence in ourselves.
India had always been a minority interest in British public life; no great body of public opinion now emerged to argue that war-weary and impoverished Britain should send troops and money to hold it against its will in an empire of doubtful value. By late 1946 both Prime Minister andSecretary of State for India recognized that neither international opinion nor their own voters would stand for any reassertion of theraj, even if there had been the men, money, and administrative machinery with which to do so
With a war-weary army and people and a ravaged economy, Britain would have had to retreat; the Labour victory only quickened the process somewhat.
East to west and west to east perhaps ten million fled for their lives in the greatest exodus in recorded history.
The partition of India figures in a good deal of imaginative writing...
