While Pingali Venkayya is widely credited for India’s national flag, Surayya Tyabji suggested replacing the spinning wheel with the Ashoka Chakra and supervised the first Tricolor stitching
NEW DELHI – On India’s 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the Tricolour at the historic Red Fort, reminding citizens of the pride and unity the flag represents. Yet, while the name Pingali Venkayya is often associated with the flag, another contributor, largely forgotten in history, played a pivotal role: Surayya Badruddin Tyabji.
Born in Hyderabad in 1919, Surayya Tyabji was a niece of Sir Akbar Hydari, the Prime Minister of the seventh Nizam from 1937 to 1942. She was a talented artist whose modern ideas and dedication to society left a lasting imprint on the nation. Her husband, Badruddin Tyabji, served in the Indian Civil Service and later became Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.
“The final form of our national flag, with the Ashoka Chakra instead of the spinning wheel, was suggested by Surayya Tyabji. Yet her name remains unknown to many,” says historian Ahmed Khan. “She not only transformed the flag but also ensured it represented all Indians, not just a political party.”
Before independence in 1947, the Tricolour with a spinning wheel symbolised the Indian National Congress. Surayya Tyabji proposed replacing it with the Ashoka Chakra, a symbol that could represent the entire nation. Her suggestion was approved by Mahatma Gandhi and the Flag Committee, forming the design that is still in use today.
Surayya Tyabji also played a major role in designing the national emblem. “Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru entrusted her with the task of creating an emblem that would appear on every government document,” notes Dr Farah Rizvi, a researcher on Indian art history. “Her design, featuring lions and the Ashoka Chakra, was selected from hundreds of submissions and remains India’s official symbol.”
Beyond the design itself, Surayya supervised the production of the first Tricolour, carefully selecting cloth and colours. “She personally oversaw the first stitching, which was presented to Nehru the very same night,” recalls her granddaughter, Shazia Tyabji. “It was her attention to detail that made the flag truly special.”
Despite her critical contributions, Surayya Tyabji’s name has been largely absent from textbooks and monuments. “It is unfortunate that many Indians are unaware of her role,” says historian Ahmed Khan. “Her work embodies the spirit of an independent, secular, and democratic India, and yet she has been erased from popular memory.”
Surayya Tyabji’s legacy continues in every flutter of the Tricolour and in every official document carrying the national emblem.
“Remembering her work is not just about giving credit, it is about acknowledging the inclusive spirit of India,” concludes Dr Farah Rizvi. “Surayya Tyabji’s contributions remind us that nation-building is a collective effort, often hidden behind the pages of history.”
