Did you know that India's Independence Day has been celebrated on January 26th since 1930? After 1947, it then

"With the sublime blessings of Heaven pouring down in the form of smiling sunshine, dawned the Great Day of Independence-the day that will go down to India's unborn generations as the important landmark in the history of India's National Freedom."

"It was, indeed, a unique day in every respect," the piece said, echoing the tone of the opening sentence. "Those of us who have had the good fortune to witness this Great Day being observed in all solemnity and with perfect traditional ceremony throughout the length and breadth of India will never forget the imposing manifestations of full-blooded patriotism that fired the heart of every true Indian worth the name."

Think again if you believe it to be a description of August 15, 1947. The Bombay Chronicle's front-page piece, which described the nation's attitude the day after India celebrated its first Independence Day, began with these words on January 27, 1930. That's right.

The Congress's new Working Committee met on January 2, 1930, and following the momentous declaration of Purna Swaraj at the Lahore Session in 1929, resolved to mark January 26 as "Purna Swaraj Day." The CWC published a statement that was to be taken as a vow all across the nation.

'New Chapter in Indian History' was the bold headline of The Bombay Chronicle. The report's subheadings provide some insight into the atmosphere in Bombay. The first day of freedom. Heavy Demand for Flag Lockets, Perfect Volunteer Organization, Homage to the National Flag, and C.I.D. Men as Khaddarites!

Abbas Tyabji presided over the gathering and raised the national flag at Chowpatty, which had become "a sea of humanity" due to the procession of people. Gandhi was invited to Bombay to preside over the historic conference, according to Abid Ali, secretary of the Bombay Provincial Congress Committee. Gandhi, however, retorted that his role was to prepare the nation, not to preside over the conference. Gajendranath Sharma, Shardaben Mehta, an author and social worker, activist Kamaladevi Nehru, and Central Khilafat Committee secretary Kamara Ahmed, respectively, read the pledge of allegiance in Hindi, Gujarati, English, and Urdu. (Page 11 of The Bombay Chronicle, 27 January 1930).

On January 21, C. Rajagopalachari, from Gandhi Ashram, issued the following appeal in the newspaper: "I hope on January 26, everyone wanting freedom for India will decorate his house and street with national flags and festoons and attend the meeting that will be held in his town or village to hear the Congress message of freedom read. The day has come when India will question the government, and each person must choose whether to support the Congress or the government. The simple problem is this. To stay at home and skip the meeting is to support the government. (Page 16 of The Bombay Chronicle, January 25, 1930).

An annual event

The Prabhat Feri (morning processions), Flag Salutation, and public gatherings that accompanied the commemoration of Independence Day on January 26 became traditions after that. As several provincial governments outlawed "a particular Independence pledge that was proposed to be read and reaffirmed at public meetings," The Bombay Chronicle's editorial headed "Independence Day" in its edition from January 26, 1937, emphasised the potential of unusual fervour.

As the party had gained control in numerous provinces following the elections in 1937, Congress officials participated in the celebrations for the first time on Independence Day in 1938.

The National Flag was raised at Congress House by B.G. Kher, the premier (chief minister) of the Bombay Province. A sizable assembly was presided over by Sarojini Naidu in Bombay's Azad Maidan. A politician from Sindh named Jairamdas Daulatram urged the crowd to remember that "one-fifth of the world's population was under slavery and that freedom in India was therefore a global problem." 27 January 1938, page 1 of The Bombay Chronicle

Naresh Mukherjee, the secretary of the Congress, even moved to adjourn the House's proceedings so that the members may take part in the Independence Day festivities in the Bengal Legislature. Due to the late delivery, the President did not accept it. (p. 8 of The Bombay Chronicle, 27 January 1938).

Jawaharlal Nehru, the president of the Congress, raised the national flag in Gandhi Chowk in Bannu city, which is far from Bengal and is now part of Pakistan. The Pashtun nonviolent resistance group Khudai Khidmatgars, commanded by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, organised the event. Following the salutations, Nehru delivered a speech in which he noted, "The flag stood for India's freedom and unity among different communities." (Page 1 of The Bombay Chronicle, 27 January 1938)

It all changed in 1947

For 18 years, the 26th of January was observed as Independence Day. The previous one, which was observed a few months before the official Independence Day, occurred in 1947. On January 26, 1947, the renowned Gujarati nationalist newspaper Pravasi, which is based in Bombay, released an Independence Day Special Supplement. On January 23, 1947, a full-page advertisement for it appeared in Janmabhoomi and featured an artwork by renowned Gujarati cartoonist-artist "Shani." The copy had two slogans: 'We promise for independence with martyrs as witnesses.' And our life motto is "Do or die."

'India's Final Rally For Independence' was the front-page banner headline of The Bombay Chronicle on January 27. The Congress didn't organise any public gatherings or processions. The raising of a flag was the only activity that day. Jawaharlal Nehru received telegrams from the Indonesian Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir and a delegation from the Viet Nam Republican Government in Paris wishing the nation a happy Independence Day.

Indonesians are closely following India's valiant effort to achieve total independence, according to Sjahrir. Additionally, greetings were sent by ambassadors and ministers from China, Syria, the Emirate of Transjordan, and Saudi Arabia.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the deputy prime minister of India when it became a republic on January 26, 1950, reflected on the Purna Swaraj pledge made 20 years earlier and said, "Although we obtained independence on August 15, 1947, it was not complete in the sense of the pledge we took [as India came into existence as a dominion]." By God's grace, that promise has been fully kept as of right now. (Page 1 of The Bombay Chronicle, 26 January 1950)

According to Patel, 26 January has lost some of its attraction due to the loss of its status as Independence Day after 1947 and the absence of a new identity as the day of full independence.