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Indian Naval Ensign

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by The Discoverer (talk | contribs) at 08:31, 8 September 2022 (The same content but copyedited to make it concise. After unveiling what is the need to mention that it was announced that it would be unveiled? Also that it would fly on all naval establishments is normal for the naval ensign. Added the additional info about commonality with the 2001-2004 design.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Indian Naval Ensign
UseNaval ensign
Proportion1:2
Adopted2 September 2022 (most recent revision)
DesignA White Ensign, featuring the Flag of India in the canton, and a navy blue filled, gold-bordered octagon, enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy, located in the fly.

The Indian Naval Ensign, also referred to as the Indian White Ensign, or Nishaan, is the naval ensign of the Indian Navy, used aboard Indian naval vessels, shore establishments and naval air stations as its principal form of maritime identification.[1]

Colonial-era ensigns

The blue ensign of the Star of India was used from 1879–1892 as the naval ensign of Her Majesty's Indian Marine (1879–1892). It was then used by the Royal Indian Marine (1892–1934), subsequently upgraded to the Royal Indian Navy (1934–1950). The white ensign of the Royal Navy was used from 1928–1950 as the naval ensign of the Royal Indian Marine and then the Royal Indian Navy.

Following the reconstitution of the Royal Indian Marine as a combatant force in 1928, the White Ensign, the naval ensign of the Royal Navy, was adopted, and was subsequently raised for the first time on 11 November 1928.[2]

Pre-1947

Colonial-era flags
Period Ensign Jack
1879–1884
1884–1928
1928–1947

Independence-era ensigns

1947–2001

Following India's emergence as an independent nation on 15 August 1947, the Royal Indian Navy continued the use of the White Ensign as its preferred choice, until 26 January 1950, when the country formally became a republic.[3] Correspondingly thereafter, the Royal Indian Navy was re-christened the Indian Navy, while the service's crest and flags were duly changed to India-centric configurations.[4] However, the White Ensign, featuring the St. George's Cross over a white field, was retained, with the replacement of the Union Jack with the Flag of India being the only alteration.[5]

Following the ensign's institution, a commissioning pendant and naval rank flags were also introduced.[3] Based on the rank flags of the Royal Navy, the new rank flags of the Indian Navy also exhibited the St. George's Cross, albeit with the Dharmachakra (Wheel of Law), a national symbol, in the intersection of the cross, as an extra addition.[3] In line with naval tradition of the former service, each rank flag bore a display of red balls in the flag's quadrant, representing the naval officer's rank - zero balls for the Chief of the Naval Staff, one ball for vice admirals, two balls for rear admirals and again one ball for commodores.[6][7] In addition to these measures, a presidential standard, based on the modified ensign was also introduced, featuring a gold-colored elephant in the fly, symbolizing strength and courage, as an added feature.[3]

Originally, the ensign was made in a proportional ratio of 1:2, but by the 1980s, it had been altered to 2:3, while the presidential standard was made in 4:5 proportions.[3]

Flag Jack Ensign Commissioning pennant Admiral
एडमिरल		 Vice Admiral
वाइस एडमिरल		 Rear Admiral
रियर एडमिरल		 Commodore
कमोडोर
Pattern
(1947–1950)

(1950–2001)
(1947-1950)

(1950–2001)
(1947–1950)

(1950-2001)
(1947–1950)

(1950-2001)
(1947-1950)

(1950-2001)
(1947-1950)

(1950-2001)

2001–2004

By the early 1970s, amidst decolonization, the desire for the introduction of a new ensign bereft of any colonial-era identity became very strong within the ranks of the Indian Navy.[5] The impulse for a new, domestic-centric ensign was further amplified by the examples of Australia and New Zealand, which abolished the St. George's Cross from their respective naval ensigns in 1967 and 1968, respectively.[8] However, the original idea for a post-colonial ensign is generally credited to Vice Admiral V.E.C. Barboza, a former Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command, who suggested the change around the same period.[5]

Consequently, the Union Government, then led by the National Democratic Alliance, chaired by prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, changed the naval ensign in 2001, to a newer design featuring a blue-colored crest of the Indian Navy set upon a white background, with the Flag of India placed in the canton.[5] The change, derived from the objective of simplicity and the necessity to maintain commonality with the flags of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, was approved by the President of India on 30 April 2001, and came into effect on 15 August 2001.[5]

The naval rank flags, which too had portrayed the St. George's Cross, were changed to a newer pattern, based on the ensign.[3] The new rank flags depicted the blue-colored naval crest at the hoist, while rank-specific stars were placed at the fly - four for the Chief of the Naval Staff, three for vice admirals, two for rear admirals and one for commodores.[6] A five-star rank flag was also created separately as an honorary measure for the position of fleet admiral; however, the rank has never been never conferred to this day.[3] The proportion of the ensign, and the rank flags had 2:3 proportions, while the commodore's broad pennant and the Senior Officer's pennant had 1:2 proportions.[3] Irrespective of the changes, the national flag continued to served as the naval jack, while the Indian Blue Ensign, meant for the naval reserve, remained untouched.[3]

Nevertheless, the new ensign was a troubled and unpopular change, as many complained that the blue of the naval crest was indistinguishable from the sky and the ocean.[9] Appropriately, after three years in use, the Indian Navy dropped the altered ensign in 2004, reverting to the use of its former one.[9][10]

Flag Jack Ensign Commissioning pennant Admiral of the fleet
एडमिरल ऑफ़ द फ्लीट		 Admiral
एडमिरल		 Vice Admiral
वाइस एडमिरल		 Rear Admiral
रियर एडमिरल		 Commodore
कमोडोर		 Senior Officer
वरिष्ठ अधिकारी
Pattern

2004–2022

Following the discontinuation of the revised ensign, the Indian Navy re-adopted its former ensign, bearing the St. George's Cross, albeit with an additional touch-up of the State Emblem of India at the intersection of the cross, as an added feature.[9] The proportions of the ensign was reverted to the ratio of 1:2, while the original rank flags were restored, except for the pennant of the Senior Officer, which was redesigned to match the other rank flags.[3]

In 2014, the ensign was further customized to feature the Indian national motto in the Devanagari script: सत्यमेव जयते (Satyameva Jayate), translated in English as Truth Alone Triumphs, beneath the state emblem.[11] The updated ensign was accorded presidential approval in July 2014 and formally came into effect on 15 August 2014.[11]

Flag Jack Ensign Commissioning pennant Admiral
एडमिरल		 Vice Admiral
वाइस एडमिरल		 Rear Admiral
रियर एडमिरल		 Commodore
कमोडोर		 Senior Officer
वरिष्ठ अधिकारी
Pattern
(2004–2014)

(2014–2022)

2022–present

On 2 September 2022, the new Naval Ensign was unveiled by the Prime Minister.[12] The objective of the change was 'move away from the colonial past' and to have an ensign befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage.[12] In continuity with all the post-Independence versions, the current ensign features the national flag of India in the canton on a white field. It includes a navy blue octagon in the fly, furnished with double golden borders and a navy blue background, and encompasses the crest of the Indian Navy - highlighting the national emblem, mounted atop an anchor superimposed on a shield.[12] However, the ensign features a clear anchor, which depicts steadfastness, instead of a fouled anchor.[12] Below the shield, the octagon also features a golden-bordered ribbon bearing the navy's motto in the Devanagari script: शं नो वरुणः (Śhaṁ No Varunaḥ), translated in English as May the Lord of Water be auspicious unto us.

The octagon's navy blue background depicts the blue-water capabilities of the Indian Navy, while the two gold octagonal borders are inspired by the rajmudra, or royal seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji.[13] In addition, the octagonal shape also represents the eight directions: four cardinal and four inter-cardinal, which symbolises the multidirectional reach and multidimensional operational capability of the navy.[13]

The current ensign is similar to the 2001-2004 version in that both feature the naval crest in the fly, the major difference being that it is now gold in a blue octagon, instead of blue on a white background.[14]

Flag Jack Ensign
Pattern

See also

Others

References

  1. ^ "PM Modi to unveil New Ensign of the Indian Navy: What is a Naval Ensign and Why is it being Changed?". www.jagranjosh.com. 31 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Under Two Ensigns - The Indian Navy 1945-1950" (PDF). www.indiannavy.nic.in.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "REPUBLIC OF INDIA NAVAL ENSIGNS, FLAGS & PENNANTS 1950-2001 & SINCE 2004". tmg110.tripod.com.
  4. ^ "Indian Navy to get a new ensign: What is changing and why is it important?". wap.business-standard.com. 31 August 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e "The Indian Naval Ensign" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India - Archive. 8 August 2001. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  6. ^ a b "How the Indian Navy's Ensign Evolved Over the Years". thewire.in. 2 September 2022.
  7. ^ "St. George Guards India's Fleet Once More". www.andrewcusack.com. June 2008.
  8. ^ "PM Narendra Modi unveils new naval ensign, here's why it is significant". indianexpress.com. 2 September 2022.
  9. ^ a b c "Indian Navy to get new ensign, PM Modi says will do away with colonial history". theprint.in. 30 August 2022.
  10. ^ "Archive - Indian Navy To Change Ensign, Flag & Pendant". www.financialexpress.com. 2 April 2004.
  11. ^ a b "Indian Navy to finally include Satyameva Jayata below national emblem on its flag and crest". IndiaToday. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d "Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi commissions India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in Kochi". www.pib.gov.in. Indian Emblem Press Information Bureau Government of India. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Indian Navy Tweet". Twitter. Indian Navy handle. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  14. ^ "How the Indian Navy's Ensign Evolved Over the Years". The Wire. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
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