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For years after the declaration of Complete Swaraj in 1930 by the Indian National Congress, Indians celebrated 26 January as the Day of Promise. This date had great political significance long before India became independent.
In 1950 the day finally came when India would become a republic, governed by its own Constitution, with an Indian Head of State. The last ties of colonial rule were broken and the country took its place as a sovereign nation.
On the morning of January 26, 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the President-elect of India, left his residence at 1 Victoria Road (now Rajendra Prasad Road) and reached Government House in New Delhi. The main ceremony was held inside the Durbar Hall of Government House.
At 10.18 am, a formal proclamation was read by the Governor General, announcing the birth of the Republic of India. This proclamation indicated that India was no longer a dominion within the British Commonwealth.
At 10.24 am Dr. Rajendra Prasad took oath as the first President of India. The oath was administered by Justice Harilal Jekisundas Kania, Chief Justice of the Federal Court, which will soon become the Supreme Court of India. With this oath, the office of President formally replaced that of the Governor General.
Immediately after the swearing-in, the Governor General’s flag flying over Government House was taken down. The flag of the President of India was hoisted in its place.
Designed by NP Chakraborty, it includes four symbols of Indian history: the Sarnath Singh Capital for unity, equality and brotherhood; A full loss With lotus for peace and abundance; An Ajanta elephant for patience and strength; And the Red Fort is the measure of justice and economy.
A 31-gun salute was given in honor of the President.
At around 2.30 pm, the President set out on a ceremonial tour through New Delhi in a six-horse carriage accompanied by mounted bodyguards. The route passed through Vijay Chowk, Parliament House, Connaught Place, Barakhamba Road, Sikandra Road, Tilak Marg and India Gate and ended at Irwin Amphitheater (now Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium). Thousands of people lined up in the streets to see the new head of state.
At 3:45 p.m., the main public ceremony began in the Irvine Amphitheater. In his role as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, President Rajendra Prasad hoisted the national flag and took the salute.
Contingents of the armed forces and Delhi Police marched past accompanied by military bands. Indonesian President Sukarno attended it as the chief guest.
A major attraction was the flypast by the Indian Air Force.
The parade was eventually shifted outside the stadium to the Central Vista, drawing a larger crowd. Over time, floats, schoolchildren, and cultural troupes were added so that the celebration was no longer solely military.
The celebrations did not end on 26 January. The next day, President Prasad invited 3,000 guests for tea at Rashtrapati Bhavan and 600 guests attended a performance of Kalidasa’s Kumar Sambhav at the Regal Theatre. Public buildings were illuminated and similar celebrations were held across India. Both 26 and 27 January were declared public holidays.
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Republic Day also honors the coming into force of the Constitution of India. The Constitution replaced the Government of India Act of 1935 and became the supreme law of the country.
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(edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)