Find the real National Slogan of India in the words of its freedom fighters. Discover our list of the most famous slogans.
Have you ever wondered what the official national slogan of India is? It’s a question many people search for, and the answer is more fascinating than you might think. While India has an official national motto, “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth Alone Triumphs), inscribed at the base of our national emblem, it doesn’t have a single, officially declared national slogan.
However, the true heartbeat of the nation’s spirit is found not in a government declaration, but in the powerful and patriotic slogans that were forged in the fire of the Indian independence movement. These weren’t just phrases; they were battle cries, philosophical anchors, and unifying calls to action that mobilized millions. The slogans of freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Rani Lakshmibai, and Bhagat Singh became the unofficial anthems of a generation striving for freedom, echoing in rallies, protests, and whispers of revolution across the subcontinent. They captured the collective yearning for ‘Swaraj’ (self-rule) and encapsulated the immense sacrifice of the era.
This article presents a definitive list of the most famous Indian slogans given by the iconic freedom fighters who shaped our destiny. From the revolutionary cry of “Inquilab Zindabad!” to the unifying power of “Jai Hind!”, we will explore the words that fueled a nation’s journey to independence. Get ready to discover the powerful stories and the indomitable spirit behind the slogans that continue to inspire India today.
Top 10 National Slogans of India
Here are 10 of the most iconic slogans from India’s freedom struggle:
- Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it!
- Inquilab Zindabad! (Long live the revolution!)
- Do or Die.
- Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!
- Jai Hind! (Victory to India!)
- Maro Firangi Ko! (Kill the foreigner!)
- I shall not surrender my Jhansi.
- Educate, Agitate, Organize.
- Delhi Chalo! (On to Delhi!)
- Down with Imperialism!
Famous Slogans by Mahatma Gandhi
- Do or Die. (Karo ya Maro) — The electrifying call to action for the Quit India Movement of 1942.
- An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind. — The essence of his philosophy of Ahimsa (non-violence).
- Quit India. (Bharat Chhodo) — The simple but powerful slogan for the movement that marked the final push for independence.
- First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. — A famous quote describing the path of non-violent resistance.
- Be the change that you wish to see in the world. — A profound statement encapsulating his belief in personal responsibility and action.
Famous Slogans by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- It is the prime responsibility of every citizen to feel that his country is free and to defend its freedom is his duty. — A powerful call for civic duty and national responsibility.
- My only desire is that India should be a good producer and no one should be hungry, shedding tears for food in the country. — His vision for a self-reliant and prosperous India.
- Manpower without unity is not a strength unless it is harmonized and united properly, then it becomes a spiritual power. — Emphasizing his core belief in unity as the nation’s greatest strength.
- Caste, community will rapidly disappear. We have to speedily forget all these things. Such boundaries hamper our growth. — A strong statement reflecting his goal of a unified Indian society.
Famous Slogans by Jawaharlal Nehru
- At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. — The iconic opening of his “Tryst with Destiny” speech on the eve of India’s independence.
- Aaram Haram Hai! (Rest is forbidden/a sin!) — A slogan to inspire hard work and dedication in the task of nation-building after 1947.
- Who dies if India lives? Who lives if India dies? — A powerful rhetorical question emphasizing the importance of the nation above the individual.
- The dams are the temples of modern India. — A quote reflecting his vision for a scientific, industrial, and progressive nation.
Famous Slogans by Subhas Chandra Bose
- Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom! (Tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhe azadi dunga!) — His most famous and impassioned call for sacrifice for the motherland.
- Jai Hind! (Victory to India!) — The nationalist salutation he popularized, which became a symbol of the Azad Hind Fauj and is now a common greeting in India.
- Delhi Chalo! (On to Delhi!) — The war cry of the Indian National Army (INA) as it began its march to liberate India.
- It is only on the basis of undiluted nationalism and of perfect justice and impartiality that the Indian army of liberation can be built up. — The foundational principle of his INA.
Famous Slogans by Bhagat Singh
- Inquilab Zindabad! (Long live the revolution!) — While coined by Hasrat Mohani, Bhagat Singh and his comrades popularized it, making it the definitive slogan of the freedom struggle.
- They may kill me, but they cannot kill my ideas. They can crush my body, but they will not be able to crush my spirit. — A defiant statement of ideological immortality.
- Down with Imperialism! (Samrajyavad ka nash ho!) — Shouted by him in the Central Assembly, it was a direct challenge to British rule.
- The bomb was necessary to make the deaf hear. — His justification for the non-lethal bombing of the Assembly, meant to shock the empire out of its complacency.
Famous Slogans by Rani Lakshmibai
- I shall not surrender my Jhansi. (Main apni Jhansi nahi doongi) — Her legendary and defiant declaration to the British, which has become an immortal symbol of courage and resistance.
- If defeated and killed on the field of battle, we shall surely earn eternal glory and salvation. — A quote showcasing her fearless warrior ethos.
- Har Har Mahadev! — The traditional war cry invoking Lord Shiva, used by her army as they charged into battle against the British forces during the 1857 Rebellion.
Famous Slogans by Mangal Pandey
- Maro Firangi Ko! (Kill the foreigner!) — This was his primary, explosive cry as he attacked his British officers. This single slogan is considered the spark that ignited the widespread Revolt of 1857.
- This is a fight for our dharma, for our faith. — He framed the rebellion as a religious and cultural duty to protect Indian traditions from the defiling influence of the British.
Famous Slogans by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
- Educate, Agitate, Organize. — His powerful and foundational mantra for the social and political empowerment of the oppressed.
- Life should be great rather than long. — A philosophical quote reflecting his belief in a life of meaning, purpose, and impact.
- I like the religion that teaches liberty, equality and fraternity. — The core principle that guided his work on the Indian Constitution and his own spiritual journey.
- Cultivation of mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence. — Emphasizing his deep belief in knowledge and intellectual development as the means to liberation.
Famous Slogans by Sarojini Naidu
- A country’s greatness lies in its undying ideals of love and sacrifice that inspire the mothers of the race. — A powerful statement highlighting the role of women in building a nation.
- When there is oppression, the only self-respecting thing is to rise and say this shall cease today, because my right is justice. — A call to action against injustice.
- We want deeper sincerity of motive, a greater courage in speech and earnestness in action. — A demand for genuine and committed participation in the freedom movement.
Famous Slogans by Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it! (Swarajya maza janmasiddha hakka aahe… ani to mi milavnarach!) — One of the most powerful and earliest assertions of the right to self-rule.
- Freedom is not a gift, it must be earned through struggle. — His firm belief that independence would not be granted benevolently but had to be won.
- If God were to tolerate untouchability, I would not recognize him as God at all. — Showcasing his strong stance on social reform alongside the political struggle.
What was Nehru’s slogan?
Jawaharlal Nehru’s most famous slogan, aimed at encouraging nation-building after independence, was “Aaram Haram Hai!” which translates to “Rest is forbidden” or “Rest is a sin.” He is also renowned for his historic “Tryst with Destiny” speech on the eve of India’s independence, which contains the immortal line: “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.”
Who gave the famous slogan?
“Inquilab Zindabad” (Long live the revolution) was popularized by Bhagat Singh.
“Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it!” was given by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
“Do or Die” was the famous call to action from Mahatma Gandhi during the Quit India Movement.
“Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!” was the powerful appeal by Subhas Chandra Bose.
“Jai Hind” was popularized as a national greeting by Subhas Chandra Bose.
What is the national motto of India?
The official national motto of the Republic of India is “Satyameva Jayate”. This Sanskrit phrase translates to “Truth Alone Triumphs”. It is taken from the ancient Hindu scripture, the Mundaka Upanishad, and is inscribed at the base of India’s national emblem.
Conclusion:
While “Satyameva Jayate” is India’s official motto, the true spirit of the nation echoes in the slogans of our freedom fighters. As Independence Day approaches, these powerful words are not just a reminder of past sacrifices but a timeless call to action for every citizen to cherish and build upon our hard-won freedom. Let this legacy inspire our future.
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