[In Photos] Republic @ 75: A Look at Celebrations Through the Years
Republic Day Parade, 1951.India's Republic Day celebrations, captured through a captivating array of archival photos, embody the nation's rich heritage and vibrant spirit. Commencing with the inaugural parade in 1950 at the Irwin Amphitheatre and evolving into the grand spectacle along Rajpath, these images trace the journey of India from a newly independent state to a robust and united republic. The military precision, cultural diversity portrayed in iconic tableaux, and the symbolic significance of landmarks like the Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate create a visual tapestry that reflects India's resilience, triumphs, and unique identity. The photographs serve as a poignant testament to the annual festivities, encapsulating the essence of unity in diversity that defines the Republic Day celebrations in the world's largest democracy.
The first Republic Day parade on January 26, 1950. (Credits: Homai Vyarawalla, India’s first woman photojournalist)
An aerial view of the Republic Day parade of 1951 from the top of India Gate. (Credits: Homai Vyarawalla)
Indian Air Force planes flying past during the first Republic Day parade.
A tableau depicting youth and progress during the 1952 Republic Day parade. (Credits: photodivision.gov.in)
The tableau from Madhya Pradesh was a replica of Mahatma Gandhi ’s hut (Bapu Kuti) during the 1956 Republic Day parade. (Credits: photodivision.gov.in)
Lama Dance from West Bengal during the Republic Day parade in 1956. (Credits: photodivision.gov.in)
Dr Rajendra Prasad with Guest of Honor Queen Elizabeth II during Republic Day celebrations of 1961.
The Surface-to-air missile is seen for the first time during the Republic Day parade in Delhi in 1973. (Credits: BCCL)
IPS Kiran Bedi leading Delhi Police in Republic Day Parade in 1975.
Indian cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma at the republic day parade in New Delhi in 1985. (Credits: BCCL)
Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa, was Guest of Honour on Republic Day in 1995.