National Flag

The National Flag is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle and dark
green at the bottom in equal proportion. The ratio of width of the flag to its length is two to three. In the
centre of the white band is a navy-blue wheel which represents the chakra.
The top saffron colour, indicates the strength and courage of the country. The white middle band indicates
peace and truth with Dharma Chakra. The green shows the fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land.
Its design is that of the wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Its
diameter approximates to the width of the white band and it has 24 spokes. The design of the National Flag
was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 22 July 1947.
It is really amazing to see the various changes that our National Flag went through since its first inception.
It was discovered or recognised during our national struggle for freedom. The evolution of the Indian
National Flag sailed through many vicissitudes to arrive at what it is today.
Know more about History of Indian Tricolor
Know more about The Flag Code of India, 2002:

History of Indian Tricolor

"A flag is a necessity for all nations. Millions have died for it. It is no doubt a kind of idolatry which would be
a sin to destroy. For, a flag represents an Ideal The unfurling of the Union Jack evokes in the English breast
sentiments whose strength it is difficult to measure. The Stars and Stripes mean a world to the Americans.
The Star and the Crescent will call forth the best bravery in Islam."

"It will be necessary for us Indians Muslims, Christians Jews, Parsis, and all others to whom India is their
home-to recognize a common flag to live and to die for."
- Mahatma Gandhi
Every free nation of the world has its own flag. It is a symbol of a free country. The National Flag of India
was adopted in its present form during the meeting of Constituent Assembly held on the 22 July 1947, a few
days before India's independence from the British on 15 August, 1947. It served as the national flag of the
Dominion of India between 15 August 1947 and 26 January 1950 and that of the Republic of India
thereafter. In India, the term "tricolour" refers to the Indian national flag.
The National flag of India is a horizontal tricolor of deep saffron (kesari) at the top, white in the middle and
dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. The ratio of width of the flag to its length is two to three. In
the centre of the white band is a navy blue wheel which represents the chakra. Its design is that of the
wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Its diameter approximates to the
width of the white band and it has 24 spokes.

Evolution of the Tricolour

It is really amazing to see the various changes that our National Flag went through since its first inception.
It was discovered or recognised during our national struggle for freedom. The evolution of the Indian
National Flag sailed through many vicissitudes to arrive at what it is today. In one way it reflects the political
developments in the nation. Some of the historical milestones in the evolution of our National Flag involve
the following:

Unofficial flag of India

in 1906

The Berlin committee

flag, first raised by
Bhikaiji Cama in 1907

The flag used during the

Home Rule movement
in 1917

The flag unofficially

adopted in 1921

The flag adopted in 1931.

This flag was also the
battle ensign of the
Indian National Army

The present Tricolour

flag of India
The first national flag in India is said to have been hoisted on August 7, 1906, in the Parsee Bagan Square
(Green Park) in Calcutta now Kolkata. The flag was composed of three horizontal strips of red, yellow and
green.
The second flag was hoisted in Paris by Madame Cama and her band of exiled revolutionaries in 1907
(according to some inl9OS). This was very similar to the first flag except that the top strip had only one
lotus but seven stars denoting the Saptarishi. This flag was also exhibited at a socialist conference in Berlin.
The third flag went up in 1917 when our political struggle had taken a definite turn. Dr. Annie Besant and
Lokmanya Tilak hoisted it during the Home rule movement. This flag had five red and four green horizontal
strips arranged alternately, with seven stars in the saptarishi configuration super-imposed on them. In the
left-hand top corner (the pole end) was the Union Jack. There was also a white crescent and star in one
corner.
During the session of the All India Congress Committee which met at Bezwada in 1921 (now Vijayawada) an
Andhra youth prepared a flag and took it to Gandhiji. It was made up of two colours-red and greenrepresenting the two major communities i.e. Hindus and Muslims. Gandhiji suggested the addition of a white
strip to represent the remaining communities of India and the spinning wheel to symbolise progress of the
Nation.
The year 1931 was a landmark in the history of the flag. A resolution was passed adopting a tricolor flag as
our national flag. This flag, the forbear of the present one, was saffron, white and green with Mahatma
Gandhi's spinning wheel at the center. It was, however, clearly stated that it bore no communal significance
and was to be interpreted thus.
On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly adopted it as Free India National Flag. After the advent of
Independence, the colours and their significance remained the same. Only the Dharma Charkha of Emperor

Asoka was adopted in place of the spinning wheel as the emblem on the flag. Thus, the tricolour flag of the
Congress Party eventually became the tricolour flag of Independent India.

Colours of the Flag:

In the national flag of India the top band is of Saffron colour, indicating the strength and courage of the
country. The white middle band indicates peace and truth with Dharma Chakra. The last band is green in
colour shows the fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land.

The Chakra:
This Dharma Chakra depicted the "wheel of the law" in the Sarnath Lion Capital made by the 3rd-century BC
Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The chakra intends to show that there is life in movement and death in
stagnation.

Flag Code
On 26th January 2002, the Indian flag code was modified and after several years of independence, the
citizens of India were finally allowed to hoist the Indian flag over their homes, offices and factories on any
day and not just National days as was the case earlier. Now Indians can proudly display the national flag any
where and any time, as long as the provisions of the Flag Code are strictly followed to avoid any disrespect
to the tricolour. For the sake of convenience, Flag Code of India, 2002, has been divided into three parts.
Part I of the Code contains general description of the National Flag. Part II of the Code is devoted to the
display of the National Flag by members of public, private organizations, educational institutions, etc. Part
III of the Code relates to display of the National Flag by Central and State governments and their
organisations and agencies.
There are some rules and regulations upon how to fly the flag, based on the 26 January 2002 legislation.
These include the following:

The Do's:

The National Flag may be hoisted in educational institutions (schools, colleges, sports camps, scout
camps, etc.) to inspire respect for the Flag. An oath of allegiance has been included in the flag hoisting
in schools.

A member of public, a private organization or an educational institution may hoist/display the

National Flag on all days and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise consistent with the dignity and honour
of the National Flag.

Section 2 of the new code accepts the right of all private citizens to fly the flag on their premises.

The Don'ts

The flag cannot be used for communal gains, drapery, or clothes. As far as possible, it should be
flown from sunrise to sunset, irrespective of the weather.

The flag cannot be intentionally allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in water. It cannot
be draped over the hood, top, and sides or back of vehicles, trains, boats or aircraft.

No other flag or bunting can be placed higher than the flag. Also, no object, including flowers or
garlands or emblems can be placed on or above the flag. The tricolour cannot be used as a festoon,
rosette or bunting.

More information on Flag Code of India (PDF file that opens in a new window)

The Indian National Flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people of India. It is the symbol of our
national pride. Over the last five decades, several people including members of armed forces have
ungrudgingly laid down their lives to keep the tricolour flying in its full glory.

ourney of Indian Republic

63 years back, a salute of 21 guns and the unfurling of the Indian National flag by Dr. Rajendra Prasad
heralded the historic birth of the Indian Republic on January 26, 1950; 894 days after our country became a
dominion following withdrawal of British Rule. Since then, every year the day is celebrated with great pride
and happiness all over the nation.
The transition of India from a British colony to a sovereign, secular, and democratic nation was indeed
historical. It was a long journey of around two decades that started with the conceptualisation of the dream
in 1930 to its actual realization in 1950. A look into the journey that led to the birth of Indian Republic will
make our celebrations more meaningful.

Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress

The seeds of a republican nation were sowed at the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress at the
midnight of 31st December 1929. The session was held under the presidency of Pt. Jawarhar Lal Nehru.
Those present in the meeting took a pledge to mark January 26 as "Independence Day" in order to march
towards realizing the dream of complete independence from the British. The Lahore Session paved way to
the Civil Disobedience movement. It was decided that January 26, 1930 would be observed as the Purna
Swaraj (complete Independence) Day. Many Indian political parties and Indian revolutionaries from all over
the country united to observe the day with honour and pride.

Indian Constituent Assembly Meetings

The Indian Constituent Assembly, which was constituted as a result of the negotiations between the Indian
leaders and members of the British Cabinet Mission, had its first meeting on December 9, 1946. The
Objective of the Assembly was to give India a constitution, which would serve a lasting purpose and hence
appointed a number of committees to thoroughly research the various aspects of the proposed constitution.
The recommendations were discussed, debated and revised many times before the Indian Constitution was
finalized and officially adopted three years later on November 26, 1949.

Constitution came into force

Though India became a free nation on August 15, 1947, it enjoyed the true spirit of Independence on
January 26, 1950 when the Constitution of India finally came into force. The Constitution gave the citizens of
India the power to govern themselves by choosing their own government. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, took oath as
the first President of India at the Durbar Hall in the Government House and this was followed by the
Presidential drive along a five-mile route to the Irwin Stadium, where he unfurled the National Flag.
Ever since the historic day, January 26 is celebrated with festivities and patriotic fervor all around the
country. The day owes its importance to the constitution of India that was adopted on this day. On this
Republic Day, read what the great Constitution of India, that propounds liberal democracy, has in its store.
Let's also feel proud in pronouncing what the Preamble to our Constitution(External website that opens in a
new window) says.

Did you know?

With 395 Articles and eight Schedules, the Indian Constitution is the largest written constitution in the
world.

Quotes

Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of Independent India, in his special message to his countrymen,
on the birth of the Indian Republic, said:
"We must re-dedicate ourselves on this day to the peaceful but sure realization of the dream that had
inspired the Father of our Nation and the other captains and soldiers of our freedom struggle, the dream of
establishing a classless, co-operative, free and happy society in 'his country'. We must remember that this is
more a day of dedications than of rejoicing - dedication to the glorious task of making the peasants and
workers the toilers and the thinkers fully free, happy and cultured."

C. Rajagopalachari, His Excellency the Governor-General in a broadcast talk from the Delhi Station of AllIndia Radio on Jan 26, 1950 said:
"On the eve of my laying down office, with the inauguration of the Republic, I should like to tender my
greetings and best wishes to the men and women of India who will henceforth be a citizen of a republic. I
feel deeply thankful for the affection showered on me by all sections of the people, which alone enabled me
to bear the burden of an office to the duties and conventions of which I had been an utter stranger."

National Bird

The Indian peacock, Pavo cristatus, the national bird of India, is a colourful, swan-sized bird, with a fanshaped crest of feathers, a white patch under the eye and a long, slender neck. The male of the species is
more colourful than the female, with a glistening blue breast and neck and a spectacular bronze-green tail of
around 200 elongated feathers. The female is brownish, slightly smaller than the male and lacks the tail.
The elaborate courtship dance of the male, fanning out the tail and preening its feathers is a gorgeous sight.

National Flower

Lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn) is the National Flower of India. It is a sacred flower and occupies a unique
position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture since
time immemorial.
India is rich in flora. Currently available data place India in the tenth position in the world and fourth in Asia
in plant diversity. From about 70 per cent geographical area surveyed so far, 47,000 species of plants have
been described by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI).

National Tree

Indian fig tree, Ficus bengalensis, whose branches root themselves like new trees over a large area. The
roots then give rise to more trunks and branches. Because of this characteristic and its longevity, this tree is
considered immortal and is an integral part of the myths and legends of India. Even today, the banyan tree
is the focal point of village life and the village council meets under the shade of this tree.

National Anthem
The National Anthem of India is played or sung on various occasions. Instructions have been issued from
time to time about the correct versions of the Anthem, the occasions on which these are to be played or
sung, and about the need for paying respect to the anthem by observance of proper decorum on such
occasions. The substance of these instructions has been embodied in this information sheet for general
information and guidance.

The National Anthem - Full & Short Versions

The composition consisting of the words and music of the first stanza of the late poet Rabindra Nath Tagore's
song known as "Jana Gana Mana" is the National Anthem of India. It reads as follows:
Jana-gana-mana-adhinayaka jaya he
Bharata-bhagya-vidhata
Punjaba-Sindhu-Gujarata-Maratha
Dravida-Utkala-Banga
Vindhya-Himachala-Yamuna-Ganga
uchchala-jaladhi-taranga
Tava shubha name jage, tava shubha asisa mage,
gahe tava jaya-gatha.
Jana-gana-mangala-dayaka jaya he
Bharata-bhagya-vidhata.
Jaya he, Jaya he, Jaya he,
jaya jaya jaya, jaya he.
Download National Anthem (817 KB, 0:52 Sec.)
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs

The above is the full version of the Anthem and its playing time is approximately 52 seconds.

A short version consisting of the first and last lines of the National Anthem is also played on certain
occasions. It reads as follows:
Jana-gana-mana-adhinayaka jaya he
Bharata-bhagya-vidhata.
Jaya he, Jaya he, Jaya he,
jaya jaya jaya, jaya he.
Playing time of the short version is about 20 seconds. The following is Tagore's English rendering of the
anthem:
Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people,
Dispenser of India's destiny.
Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind,
Gujarat and Maratha,
Of the Dravida and Odisha and Bengal;
It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas,
mingles in the music of Jamuna and Ganges and is
chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea.
They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise.
The saving of all people waits in thy hand,
Thou dispenser of India's destiny.
Victory, victory, victory to thee.
The occasions on which the full versions or the short version will be played have been indicated at the
appropriate places in these instructions.

Playing of the Anthem

1.

The full version of the Anthem shall be played on the following occasions:
1.

Civil and Military investitures;

2.

When National Salute (which means the Command "Rashtriya Salute Salami Shastr" to the
accompaniment of the National Anthem is given on ceremonial occasions to the President or
to the Governor/Lieutenant Governor within their respective States/Union Territories;

3.

During parades irrespective of whether any of the dignitaries referred to in (ii) above is
present or not;

4.

On arrival of the President at formal State functions and other functions organized by the
Government and mass functions and on his departure from such functions;

5.

Immediately before and after the President addresses the Nation over All India Radio;

6.

On arrival of the Governor/Lieutenant Governor at formal State functions within his

State/Union Territory and on his departure from such functions;

7.

When the National Flag is brought on parade;

8.

When the Regimental Colours are presented;

9.

For hoisting of colours in the Navy.

ii.

The short version of the Anthem shall be played when drinking toasts in Messes.

iii.

The Anthem shall be played on any other occasion for which special orders have been issued by the
Government of India.

iv.

Normally the Anthem shall not be played for the Prime Minister, though there may be special
occasions when it may be played.

v.

When the National Anthem is played by a band, the Anthem will be preceded by a roll of drums to
assist the audience to know that the National Anthem is going to be played, unless there is some
other specific indication that the National Anthem is about to be played, as for example, when
fanfares are sounded before the National Anthem is played, or when toasts are drunk to the
accompaniment of the National Anthem or when the National Anthem constitutes the National
Salute given by a Guard of Honour. The duration of the roll, in terms of marching drill, will be 7
paces in slow march. The roll will start slowly, ascend to as loud a volume as possible and then
gradually decreases to original softness, but remaining audible until the seventh beat. One beat rest
will then be observed before commencing the National Anthem.

Mass Singing of the Anthem

1.

The full version of the Anthem shall be played accompanied by mass singing on the following
occasions:
1.

On the unfurling of the National Flag, on cultural occasions or ceremonial functions other
than parades. (This could be arranged by having a choir or adequate size, suitably
stationed, which would be trained to coordinate its singing with the band etc. There should
be an adequate public audition system so that the gathering in various enclosures can sing
in unison with the choir);

2.

On arrival of the President at any Government or Public function (but excluding formal State
functions and mess functions) and also immediately before his departure from such
functions.

ii.

On all occasions when the National Anthem is sung, the full version shall be recited accompanied by
mass singing.

iii.

The Anthem may be sung on occasions which, although not strictly ceremonial, are nevertheless
invested with significance because of the presence of Ministers etc. The singing of the Anthem on
such occasions (with or without the accompaniment of an instruments) accompanied by mass
singing is desirable.

iv.

It is not possible to give an exhaustive list of occasions on which the singing (as distinct from
playing) of the Anthem can be permitted. But there is no objection to the singing of the Anthem
accompanied by mass singing so long as it is done with due respect as a salutation to the
motherland and proper decorum is maintained.

v.

In all schools, the day's work may begin with community singing of the anthem. School authorities
should make adequate provision in their programmes for popularising the singing of the Anthem and
promoting respect for the National Flag among students.

General
1.

Whenever the Anthem is sung or played, the audience shall stand to attention. However, when in
the course of a newsreel or documentary the Anthem is played as a part of the film, it is not
expected of the audience to stand as standing is bound to interrupt the exhibition of the film and
would create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of the Anthem.

2.

As in the case of the flying of the National Flag, it has been left to the good sense of the people not
to indulge in indiscriminate singing or playing of the Anthem.

National River

The Ganga or Ganges is the longest river of India flowing over 2,510 kms of mountains, valleys and plains.
It originates in the snowfields of the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas as the Bhagirathi River. It is later
joined by other rivers such as the Alaknanda, Yamuna, Son, Gumti, Kosi and Ghagra. The Ganga river basin
is one of the most fertile and densely populated areas of the world and covers an area of 1,000,000 sq. kms.
There are two dams on the river - one at Haridwar and the other at Farakka. The Ganges River Dolphin is an
endangered animal that specifically habitats this river.
The Ganga is revered by Hindus as the most sacred river on earth. Key religious ceremonies are held on the
banks of the river at cities such as Varanasi, Haridwar and Allahabad. The Ganga widens out into the Ganges
Delta in the Sunderbans swamp of Bangladesh, before it ends its journey by emptying into the Bay of
Bengal.

National Aquatic Animal

River Dolphin is the National Aquatic Animal of India. The Ministry of Environment and Forests notified(File
referring to external site opens in a new window)
the Ganges River Dolphin as the National Aquatic
Animal on 18th May 2010. This mammal is also said to represent the purity of the holy Ganga as it can only
survive in pure and fresh water. Platanista gangetica has a long pointed snout and also have visible teeth in
both the upper and lower jaws. Their eyes lack a lens and therefore function solely as a means of detecting
the direction of light. Dolphins tend to swim with one fin trailing along the substrate while rooting around
with their beak to catch shrimp and fish. Dolphins have a fairly thick body with light grey-brown skin often
with a hue of pink. The fins are large and the dorsal fin is triangular and undeveloped. This mammal has a
forehead that rises steeply and has very small eyes. River Dolphins are solitary creatures and females tend
to be larger than males. They are locally known as susu, because of the noise it makes while breathing. This
species inhabits parts of the Ganges, Meghna and Brahmaputra rivers in India, Nepal, Bhutan and
Bangladesh, and the Karnaphuli River in Bangladesh.
River dolphin is a critically endangered species in India and therefore, has been included in the Schedule I
for the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The main reasons for decline in population of the species are
poaching and habitat degradation due to declining flow, heavy siltation, construction of barrages causing
physical barrier for this migratory species.

State Emblem

The state emblem is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. In the original, there are four
lions, standing back to back, mounted on an abacus with a frieze carrying sculptures in high relief of an
elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening wheels over a bell-shaped lotus.
Carved out of a single block of polished sandstone, the Capital is crowned by the Wheel of the
Law (Dharma Chakra).
In the state emblem, adopted by the Government of India on 26 January 1950, only three lions are visible,
the fourth being hidden from view. The wheel appears in relief in the centre of the abacus with a bull on
right and a horse on left and the outlines of other wheels on extreme right and left. The bell-shaped lotus
has been omitted. The words Satyameva Jayate from Mundaka Upanishad, meaning 'Truth Alone
Triumphs', are inscribed below the abacus in Devanagari script.

National Calendar
The national calendar based on the Saka Era, with Chaitra as its first month and a normal year of 365 days
was adopted from 22 March 1957 along with the Gregorian calendar for the following official purposes:
1.

Gazette of India.

2.

News broadcast by All India Radio.

3.

Calendars issued by the Government of India.

4.

Government communications addressed to the members of the public.

Dates of the national calendar have a permanent correspondence with dates of the Gregorian calendar,
1 Chaitra falling on 22 March normally and on 21 March in leap year.

National Animal

The magnificent tiger, Panthera tigris is a striped animal. It has a thick yellow coat of fur with dark stripes.
The combination of grace, strength, agility and enormous power has earned the tiger its pride of place as
the national animal of India. Out of eight races of the species known, the Indian race, the Royal Bengal
Tiger, is found throughout the country except in the north-western region and also in the neighbouring
countries, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. To check the dwindling population of tigers in India, 'Project Tiger'
was launched in April 1973. So far, 27 tiger reserves have been established in the country under this project,
covering an area of 37,761 sq km.

National Song
The song Vande Mataram, composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterji, was a source of inspiration
to the people in their struggle for freedom. It has an equal status with Jana-gana-mana. The first political
occasion when it was sung was the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress. The following is the text of
its first stanza:
Vande Mataram!
Sujalam, suphalam, malayaja shitalam,
Shasyashyamalam, Mataram!
Vande Mataram!
Shubhrajyotsna pulakitayaminim,
Phullakusumita drumadala shobhinim,
Suhasinim sumadhura bhashinim,
Sukhadam varadam, Mataram!
Vande Mataram, Vande Mataram!
Download National Song (1.1 MB, 0:52 Sec.)

The English translation of the stanza rendered by Sri Aurobindo in prose 1 is:
I bow to thee, Mother,
richly-watered, richly-fruited,
cool with the winds of the south,
dark with the crops of the harvests,
The Mother!
Her nights rejoicing in the glory of the moonlight,
her lands clothed beautifully with her trees in flowering bloom,
sweet of laughter, sweet of speech,
The Mother, giver of boons, giver of bliss.

National Fruit

A fleshy fruit, eaten ripe or used green for pickles etc., of the tree Mangifera indica, the mango is one of the
most important and widely cultivated fruits of the tropical world. Its juicy fruit is a rich source of Vitamins A,
C and D. In India there are over 100 varieties of mangoes, in different sizes, shapes and colours. Mangoes
have been cultivated in India from time immemorial. The poet Kalidasa sang its praises. Alexander savoured
its taste, as did the Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsang. Mughal emperor Akbar planted 100,000 mango trees in
Darbhanga, Bihar at a place now known as Lakhi Bagh.

Currency Symbol

The symbol of Indian Rupee typifies India's international identity for money transactions and economic
strength. The Indian Rupee sign is an allegory of Indian ethos. The symbol is an amalgam of Devanagari
"Ra" and the Roman Capital "R" with two parallel horizontal stripes running at the top representing the
national flag and also the "equal to" sign. The Indian Rupee sign was adopted by the Government of India
on 15th July, 2010.
The symbol, conceptualised and designed by Udaya Kumar, a post graduate in Design from Indian Institute
of Technology Bombay, has been chosen from thousands of concept entries received by the Ministry of
Finance through an open competition among resident Indian nationals. The process of establishing and
implementing this new identity is underway through various digital technology and computer applications.

Arunachal Pradesh

AnimalMithun (Bos Frontails)

BirdHornbill (Bensyrus bicemis)

FlowerRhynchostylis Retusa

(Fox tail orchid)

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

AnimalDugong or Sea Cow

BirdAndaman Wood Pigeon

TreeAndaman Padauk

Assam

AnimalIndian one-horned Rhino

(Rhinoceros unicornis)

BirdWhite-wing Wood Duck

(Cairina scutulata)

FlowerRhynchostylis Retusa

(Fox tail orchid)

TreeHollong

(Dipterocarpus macrocarpus)
Top

Chandigarh

AnimalIndian Grey Mongoose

BirdIndian Grey Hornbill

FlowerDhak Flower

TreeMango tree

Chattisgarh

AnimalWild Buffalo

(Bubalis bubalis)

BirdHill Myna

TreeSal

Delhi

BirdHouse Sparrow

(Passer domesticus)
Top

Goa

AnimalGaur

BirdRuby Throated

Yellow Bulbul

TreeTerninalia crenulata

(Matti)

Haryana

AnimalBlack Buck Antelope

BirdBlack Francolin

FlowerLotus

TreePipal, Peepul orBo tree

(Ficus religiosa)

Himachal Pradesh

AnimalSnow Leopard

BirdWestern Tragopan

FlowerPink Rhododendron

TreeIndian Cedar or

Himalayan cedar

Jammu and Kashmir

AnimalHangul

Jhakhand

AnimalElephant (Elephas maximus)

BirdKoel

(Eudynamus scolopaces)

FlowerPalash (Butea monosperma)

TreeSal (Shores rebuota)

Top

Karnataka

AnimalIndian Elephant

BirdIndian Roller

FlowerLotus

TreeSandalwood

Kerala

AnimalElephant

BirdHornbill

(Bensyrus bicemis)

FlowerKanikonna

(Cassia fistula)

TreeCoconut Tree

(Cocos nucifera)

Lakshadweep

AnimalButterfly fish

(Chaetodon falcula)

BirdNoddy Tern

(Anus Stolidus)

TreeBread fruit

(Arto Carpus Incisa)

Madhya Pradesh

AnimalBarasingha

Maharashtra

AnimalIndian Giant Squirrel

BirdGreen Pigeon

FlowerTamhan/Jarul

TreeTamhan/Mango

Manipur

AnimalSangai

BirdNongyeen

FlowerSiroi Lily

TreeUningthou
Top

Mizoram

AnimalSerow (Saza)

BirdHume's Bartailed Pheaasant (Vavu)

FlowerDancing Girl (Aiting)

TreeMesual Ferrea/Nahar (Herhse)

Nagaland

BirdTragopan blythii

Odisha

AnimalSambar (Cervus)

BirdBlue Jay

FlowerAsoka (Saraca asoca (Roxb.))

TreeAswattha (Ficus religiosa)

Puducherry

AnimalSquirrel

BirdKoel

FlowerCannonball

TreeVilva Tree

Punjab

AnimalBlack Buck (Antilope Cervicapra)

BirdBaj (Eastern Goshawk)

TreeShisham (Dalbergia sissoo)

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Rajasthan

AnimalChinkara or Indian Gazelle

BirdGreat Indian Bustard

FlowerRohida

TreeKhejari

Sikkim

AnimalRed Panda

BirdBlood Pheasant

FlowerDendrobium Nobile

TreeRhododendron Niveum

Tamil Nadu

AnimalNilgiri Tahr

BirdEmerald Dove

FlowerKandhal

TreePalmyrah

Tripura

AnimalSpectacled Monkey

BirdImperial Pigeon

FlowerMesua ferrea (Nageswar, Nagkesar)

TreeAgar
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Uttarakhand

AnimalMusk Deer (Moschus Chrysogaster)

BirdMonal (Lophoorus Impejanus)

FlowerBrahm Kamal (Saussurea obvallata)

TreeBuransh (Rhododendron Arboreum)

Uttar Pradesh

AnimalBarasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii)

BirdSaras Crane (Grus antigone)

FlowerPalash (Butea monosperma)

TreeSita Ashok (Saraca Asoca)

West Bengal

AnimalFishing Cat

BirdWhite Throated King Fisher

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Do you know what our national aquatic animal or the national reptile is?
When India got Independence in 1947, a decision was taken to finalise the National symbols of the
country. Some animals and birds were also given National status at that time. The peafowl was
designated as the national bird, the tiger as the national animal, the gangetic dolphin as the national
aquatic animal, the king cobra as the national reptile and the elephant as the national heritage
animal.
Farida Tampal, the State Director of the World Wildlife Fund, Andhra Pradesh chapter, says it is
imperative for adults to educate the younger generation about the lesser known animals of our
country, Ms Tampal believes that children can themselves log onto websites on the internet or read
books on these animals. Studies and conservation activities with regard to the king cobra and the

Gangetic Dolphin are very recent. There is a lot of material available on these two animals as well as
so many others like spiders, frogs, ants or even skinks.
The Peafowl
Pavo Cristatus, the Indian peafowl, is a colourful bird with a fan shaped crest of feathers. The male is
has a blue breast and neck and a spectacular bronze and green tail of approximately 200 long
feathers. The female is smaller in size, brownish in colour and does not have the grand tail, which the
male displays for courtship which generally happens in the monsoon season.
The Tiger
Panthera tigris, the Royal Bengal tiger, has a thick yellow coat of fur with dark stripes. It is an
extremely strong, graceful, agile and powerful animal. The population of tigers came down so
drastically in the country that Project Tiger had to be launched in 1973.
The Elephant
Elephas maximus indicus, the Asian Elephant, is the largest mammal of the Indian subcontinent.
Males are generally larger than females and they have tusks which is a pair of incisors which grows
around 17 cms in a year.
The King Cobra
Ophiophagus hanna, the King Cobra is the largest venomous snake in the world. Growing to around
3m in length, the King has the ability to inject upto 6ml of venom in a single bite. A resident of dense
rain forests and thick jungles, this shy animal is very rarely seen. The Gangetic Dolphin
Platanista gangetica, the Gangetic Dolphin is the chief indicator of the cleanliness of the river
Ganga, as it lives in pure and fresh water only.
The female of these solitary creatures are usually much larger than the male.
They are called susu locally due to the distinct sound that they make when they breathe.