The only surviving vintage national flag in India, hoisted at Fort St. George here on the first Independence day on August 15 1947, is being conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India through multi-pronged efforts. The flag, which has been in the ASI’s ‘reserve collection’ for decades, was for the first time put on public display at the Fort Museum in Fort St George complex here on January 26, 2013. From left: the tri-colour atop Fort St. George; the Chief Justice of Madras administers oath to Governor of Madras H. E. Sir Archibald Nye at the Secretariat; the Governor unfurls the national flag at a parade on Island Grounds. The 12ft by 8ft pure silk flag, was hoisted after lowering the British Union Jack on August 15, 1947 at 5.05 AM at Fort St. George and was witnessed by thousands of people. “Unfortunately, we do not have records with us to establish who hoisted the flag that day at Fort St George,” the official said.

Source: The Hindu August 13, 2017 07:48 UTC