There was on display at the Fort Museum in Chennai a historical Indian tricolor that was once hoisted on August 15, 1947, at Fort St. George. The piece of tassel, symbolic of India's momentous journey toward independence, was made of pure silk and measured approximately 3.5 meters by 2.4 meters.
One of the first flags raised at dawn on independence, according to the Culture Ministry, is the Congress tricolour. This flag stands as a poignant reminder to Indians of the varied sacrifices made by millions of countrymen during their freedom struggle.
It was first hoisted at Fort St. George at 5.30 am on August 15, 1947. Recently, some pictures were shared by the Culture division of the Public Information Bureau in its social media handles showing the museum gallery where the flag is kept.
Situated on the Coromandel Coast of Chennai, Fort St. George was founded on 23 April 1644, on St George's Day, and therefore named as Fort St. George. It played a vital role in the formation of George Town, which developed into modern Chennai. During the World Wars and for most of the 18th and 19th centuries, with its six-meter-high strong walls, this fort remained an important military outpost and withstood many sieges.
One of the striking features of Fort St. George is the Fort Museum, which is also famous for its brilliant collection of artifacts. There are three floors with ten galleries; within these walls are 3,661 items, each bearing the testimony of the various phases of modern Indian history. This museum's Indian Independence Gallery portrays how India's national flag was developed through evolution.
Opened to the general public on 31 January 1948, this was the brainchild of Colonel D.M. Reid of the old Madras Guards in 1946. It was initially conceived so that there might be organized preservation of the relics of the Raj. Today, over 3,500 artifacts from the colonial era come into view with the finest pieces shown across nine galleries.
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