#INDIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM MEANING FREE#
The anthem means that as long as the US flag is still waving America will remain a vast country of the free and the brave. The "home of the brave" refers to the heroic act of the American forces who were fighting for their country.Īfter the war ended at night, Francis was not sure who had won the battle, but then when he saw the American flag still flying, he was convinced that the British were defeated. As long as the American flag was seen, the Americans believed that the British forces had not captured the fort. The only thing that gave him hope was the sight of the Star-Spangled Banner. Francis had been captured, and he could only see the red glares caused by the bombardment. The first verse talks about the "perilous fight" which refers to the Baltimore war. The national anthem has four verses which recount the day-long battle between the American and British forces referred to as the Battle of Baltimore. Francis’s poem was recognized for official use by President Wilson in 1916 and the US Navy in 1889. The poem was set to the tune of a song known as The Anacreontic Song which was written by John Smith. He finished the poem in his room at the Indian Queen Hotel and named it Defence of Fort M’Henry. Francis wrote the poem the next day while on the ship before being released on September 16. Mary Pickersgill and other workers made the 15 stripes and 15 stars flag which was later named the Star-Spangled Banner. The storm flag was lowered on September 14, 1814, and replaced by the bigger American flag.įrancis was inspired by the sight of the American flag and the US victory. Francis witnessed the battle, and he saw the "storm flag" flying during the bombardment, but after the fighting stopped, he was not sure who had won. Their ship was flying a truce flag, but since they were aware of the plans of Baltimore attacks, they were captured and held captive until the war ended. History of the National AnthemĪfter the Raid of Alexandria and the Burning of Washington, Francis and John Skinner set sail on a prisoner-exchange mission, on September 3, 1814. He was inspired by the Star-Spangled Banner which remained flying after the US forces won. Francis wrote the poem after seeing the Royal Navy bombard Fort McHenry during the Baltimore War. The lyrics of the American national anthem are from a poem titled Defence of Fort M’Henry which Francis Key wrote on September 14, 1814. The following link contains an English translation of the national anthem rendered by Tagore.The United States adopted the Star-Spangled Banner as their national hymn in 1931. The composition consisting of the words and music known as Jana Gana Mana is the National Anthem of India, subject to such alterations in the words as the Government may authorise as occasion arises and the song Vande Mataram, which has played a historic part in the struggle for Indian freedom, shall be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and shall have equal status with it. But it has been felt that, instead of taking a formal decision by means of a resolution, it is better if I make a statement with regard to the National Anthem. At one time it was thought that the matter might be brought up before the House and a decision taken by the House by way of a resolution. “There is one matter which has been pending for discussion, namely the question of the National Anthem. Rajendra Prasad, made the following statement in Constituent Assembly on 24 th January: “Jana Gana Mana” was formally adopted as India’s national anthem in 1950. “I had hailed in the song Jana Gana Mana that Dispenser of India’s destiny who guides, through all rise and fall, the wayfarers, He who shows the people the way.” “neither the Fifth nor the Sixth nor any George could be the maker of human destiny through the ages.” Biswas’ essay quotes the following sentences from this letter: In a letter Tagore wrote in 1937, he clarified that “Jana Gana Mana” was not composed for George V. For instance, in 2015 Kalyan Singh, Governor of Rajasthan, and former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju raised the issue again.Īn essay by Soutik Biswas cites the work of historian Sabyasachi Bhattacharya to refute the allegation. “Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka,” which was loosely translated as “ the leader of people’s minds” by Amartya Sen was alleged to have been composed for a durbar in Delhi where George V was proclaimed Emperor of India. Tagore, whose song “Amar Sonar Bangla” was later chosen by Bangladesh as its national anthem, saw controversy swirling about “Jana Gana Mana” not long after it was written. India’s national anthem “Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka” was composed by Rabindranath Tagore on 11 December 1911 and was first sung later in the month on 28 th December at the Calcutta session of Congress.