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Home , Dominion of India, Independence Day (India)

CADET. D.Hemitha

St Claret PU College

39 KAR INF BN NCC

BANGALORE 'B' GROUP

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Importance and history of

For , 15 August is a day of her re-birth, a new start. At the midnight of 15 August 1947, the British rulers handed the country back to its Indian leaders, ending a remarkable struggle that lasted years. It was 15 August 1947, the historic date, on which sovereign India's first Prime Minister Pandit unfolded the tricolour flag of the nation on the glorious . The day is significant in the as bringing an end to the British colonial rule in India.

The republic of India gained its independence from the rule of the British on 15 August 1947. Since then, this date of 15 August is celebrated as the Independence Day in India to commemorate its freedom from the 200-year-old British government.

In 1757, after the British victory in the , the rule of started in India. By 1858, the British Crown had assumed control over India. The situation after was marked with suppressive and exploitative laws by the British. This led to revolutionary calls for independence, and sparked the phase of non-violent and non-cooperation movements followed by .

Millions of people belonging to different religious groups tramped across the newly drawn border to find places to reside. This took away around 250,000 to 500,000 lives. Finally, at midnight of 15 August 1947, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru proclaimed India's independence by reading out his famous speech known as "". During this speech, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said "Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we will 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. We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again."

Independence day generates a feeling of patriotism among people. It unites the people and makes them feel that we are one nation with so many different languages, religions and cultural values. Unity in diversity is the main essence and strength of India. We feel proud to be part of the largest democratic country in the world, where the power is in the hands of the common man.

After relentlessly long campaigns for independence, India’s struggle paid off. Britain had weakened after the two world wars and began thinking of ending its rule in India. In 1947, the British government declared the transfer of all powers to India by June 1948, but continuing tensions and violence between Muslims and Hindus led to a consensus for the into two separate states. To deal with this, the British government proposed on June 3, 1947, that any constitution framed by the Constitue

The great British rule over India came to an end with the powers transferred to the newly independent entities and India. Lord Mountbatten became the first governor-general of the new of India and Jawaharlal Nehru became the first prime minister of Independent India. The that was set up in 1946 became the Parliament of Indian Dominion. How independence day is celebrated in India

Every year on 15 August, the streets of India are adorned with the tricolours of the national flag as the country celebrates its day of independence. Although celebrations take place throughout the country, India’s capital city, , home to the 17th-century Red Fort that used to serve as a political centre, is the main staging area for Independence Day festivities

Every year on 15 August, the streets of India are adorned with the tricolours of the national flag as the country celebrates its day of independence.

In the weeks leading up to 15 August, landmarks and government buildings are lit up in the country’s national colours. Shops, malls and houses are decorated in similar colours, and shopkeepers can be found selling flags, dupattas (lengths of fabric) and kites for the occasion. Documentaries, patriotic films and programmes related to India’s freedom are aired on TV channels to get people into the spirit of Independence Day.

Day of Independence

After 200 years of British rule, India officially gained its independence on 15 August 1947. On this day, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of independent India, hoisted the Indian national flag above the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi and addressed the nation, marking the start of a tradition that continues today. The first , Jawaharlal Nehru, addressed the nation from the Red Fort in Delhi

What led to Indian independence?

The British East India Company first came to India in 1617 to facilitate trade between Mughal India and England. The traders slowly seized control of India, helped by the fact that the country was divided into sub-territories with multiple local rulers. The British employed a ‘divide and rule’ approach, pitting powerful local maharajas against one another, and by the 1850s had almost total control of the country.

India fought many hard battles against British rule, but what started the real freedom fight was the Revolt of 1857, also known as the Indian Mutiny, when Indian soldiers nationwide revolted against British commanders. It was the first large-scale rebellion against the British East India Company and posed a considerable threat to British power in India. Although the revolt was unsuccessful, it led to the British Crown taking control away from the East India Company. Many protests were held against the exploitation that followed by the , including the Gandhi-led non-violent resistance and civil disobedience movement.

A day marked with a whirlwind of celebrations

Although celebrations take place throughout the country, India’s capital city, Delhi, home to the 17th-century Red Fort that used to serve as a political centre, is the main staging area for Independence Day festivities.

There was tight security for the 62nd in , India on Wednesday, January 26,2011. Republic Day marks the day in 1950 when the new constitution came in effect after India gained independence from Great Britain in 1947.Independence Day’s celebrations include and pageants

On the eve of Independence Day, a national holiday, the delivers an address to the nation from his office that is broadcast nationally. On the morning of 15 August, the celebration kicks off with the arrival of the prime minister of India who receives a general salute from the guard of honour, which consists of representatives from the three wings of the (army, navy and air force) and the Delhi police. How is Independence day celebrated in schools?

Independence Day is a national holiday in India, and as such all schools close for the day. Celebrations vary from school to school, but most schools will hoist the colours of the national flag. Primary schools will also get into the spirit by decorating their classrooms and performing plays for fellow students or reciting patriotic poems. Since the day is a holiday for all, most people choose to spend this time with their loved ones and celebrate as they see fit.