75th Year of #independence Day of India #nationfirst , #alwaysfirst ,#आजादी का #अमृतमहोत्सव

On 15 August 1947 India became independent from the British Empire following the Independence Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and his message of nonviolent resistance. The handover of power was overseen by Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India. Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India and raised the Indian national flag above the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort in Delhi in honour of the celebrations.
These photos show the events surrounding the first Independence Day in 1947.
Lord Mountbatten discusses his plan for the partition of India and transfer of power with Indian leaders at Viceroy's House, New Delhi, on 2 June 1947:
Dawn of Independence, 1947-02-06/1947-06-02, From the collection of: Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
All India Congress Committee votes for Partition of India, New Delhi, on 15 June 1947. Seen here are Jawaharlal Nehru, Govind Ballabh Pant and Dr Rajendra Prasad:
Dawn of Independence, 1947-06-15/1947-06-15, From the collection of: Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
"Mahatma Gandhi said:
“From tomorrow [15th August] we
shall be delivered from the bondage of the British rule. But from midnight
today, India will be partitioned too. While, therefore, tomorrow will be a day
of rejoicing, it will be a day of sorrow as well. It will throw a heavy burden
of responsibility upon us. Let us pray to God that He may give us strength to
bear it .... ”"
step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation,
long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we
take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the
still larger cause of humanity.”
- 'A Tryst with Destiny'"
This photo shows Jawaharlal Nehru being sworn in as First Prime Minister of Independent India on 15 August 1947:
Dawn of Independence, 1947-08-15/1947-08-15, From the collection of: Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
Below is the administration of the oath of office to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as Deputy Prime Minister of India by President Dr Rajendra Prasad on 15 August 1947:
Making of the Constitution (1946-1950), 1947-08-15/1947-08-15, From the collection of: Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
"Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel's “Tribute to Those Who Sacrificed Their Lives in Freedom Struggle” in an
article in The Bombay Chronicle on 15 August 1947:
“Today when we are
witnessing the fulfillment of our life’s ambition and participating in the
victory that has crowned the nation’s struggle for freedom, it is our first
duty to pay homage to the memory of those whose sacrifices have contributed so
much to this glorious conclusion of that struggle. Let the nation honour their
memory in the rejoicing which freedom has brought in its train.""
Making of the Constitution (1946-1950), 1947-08-14/1947-08-14, From the collection of: Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Seen here are Independence Day celebrations in front of South Block, New Delhi:
Dawn of Independence, 1947-08-15/1947-08-15, From the collection of: Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
Independence Day celebrations in front of Princess Park (now August Kranti Maidan), New Delhi:
Dawn of Independence, 1947-08-15/1947-08-15, From the collection of: Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
Independence Day celebrations in South and North Blocks, New Delhi:
Dawn of Independence, 1947-08-15/1947-08-15, From the collection of: Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
Independence Day celebrations gathering in front of Parliament Building, New Delhi:
Dawn of Independence, 1947-08-15/1947-08-15, From the collection of: Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
This photo shows Lord Mountbatten and Lady Mountbatten leaving Viceroy’s House (now Rashtrapathi Bhawan), New Delhi:
Dawn of Independence, 1947-08-15/1947-08-15, From the collection of: Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
"Lord Mountbatten
declared, “At this historic moment let us not forget all that India owes to
Mahatma Gandhi -- the architect of her freedom through non-violence. We miss
his presence here today and would have him know how he is in our thoughts.”"
This image shows Jawaharlal Nehru accompanied by Lord Mountbatten and Edwina Mountbatten at India Gate, New Delhi:
Dawn of Independence, 1947-08-15/1947-08-15, From the collection of: Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
Seen here is Jawaharlal Nehru taking salute of three Armed Forces at India Gate, New Delhi. Defence Minister Baldev Singh is also in the picture:
Dawn of Independence, 1947-08-15/1947-08-15, From the collection of: Nehru Memorial Museum and Library