Star of India (flag)
Encyclopedia
The Star of India can refer to a group of flags used during the period of British rule
in India
. British India (officially known as the Indian Empire) had a range of flags for different purposes during its existence. The flags included the Union Flag with the insignia of the Order of the Star of India
superimposed, or the Red or Blue Ensign with the Star of India superimposed. The official state flag for use on land was the Union Flag
of the United Kingdom
and it was this flag that was lowered on Independence Day in 1947.
While the Blue Ensign
was used for military and naval purposes the Red Ensign
was used for representing India in most international Events. The Star of India had a star with the words Heaven's light our guide around them, and was the badge of the Order of the Star of India
, a chivalric order of knighthood. A blue state (government) ensign also existed, was defaced with a lion holding a Tudor Crown.
The Star of India flags were replaced by the Tiranga (India
n Tricolour
) after Independence
on the 15th of August 1947 in the independent Union of India.
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. British India (officially known as the Indian Empire) had a range of flags for different purposes during its existence. The flags included the Union Flag with the insignia of the Order of the Star of India
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
superimposed, or the Red or Blue Ensign with the Star of India superimposed. The official state flag for use on land was the Union Flag
Union Flag
The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and it was this flag that was lowered on Independence Day in 1947.
While the Blue Ensign
Blue Ensign
The Blue Ensign is a flag, one of several British ensigns, used by certain organisations or territories associated with the United Kingdom. It is used either plain, or defaced with a badge or other emblem....
was used for military and naval purposes the Red Ensign
Red Ensign
The Red Ensign or "Red Duster" is a flag that originated in the early 17th century as a British ensign flown by the Royal Navy and later specifically by British merchantmen. The precise date of its first appearance is not known, but surviving receipts indicate that the Navy was paying to have such...
was used for representing India in most international Events. The Star of India had a star with the words Heaven's light our guide around them, and was the badge of the Order of the Star of India
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
, a chivalric order of knighthood. A blue state (government) ensign also existed, was defaced with a lion holding a Tudor Crown.
The Star of India flags were replaced by the Tiranga (India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n Tricolour
Tricolour
A tricolour is a flag or banner more-or-less equally divided into three bands of differing colours...
) after Independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
on the 15th of August 1947 in the independent Union of India.
The flags and emblems used in British India
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1885–1947 | Flag of the Governor-General of India Governor-General of India The Governor-General of India was the head of the British administration in India, and later, after Indian independence, the representative of the monarch and de facto head of state. The office was created in 1773, with the title of Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William... |
A Union Flag Union Flag The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas... defaced with the insignia of the Order of the Star of India Order of the Star of India The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion... surmounted by the Tudor Crown. |
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1880–1947 | Flag used to represent British India British Raj British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion... in International events |
A red ensign with the Union Flag Union Flag The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas... at the corner with the Star of India Order of the Star of India The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion... displayed in the fly. |
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18?? - 1947 | Imperial Indian Blue Ensign Flag was the ensign of the Royal Indian Navy Royal Indian Navy The Royal Indian Navy was the naval force of British India. Along with the Presidency armies and the later British Indian Army it comprised the Armed Forces of British India.... |
A blue ensign with Union Flag Union Flag The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas... at the corner with the Star of India Order of the Star of India The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion... displayed in the fly. |
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1861 - 1947 | The insignia of the Order of the Star of India Order of the Star of India The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion... |
Silver five pointed star encircled by a blue ribbon bearing the motto Heaven's light our guide all surrounded by a gold sunburst. |