Digital Desk, New Delhi. 'Vande Mataram...' the song which became the voice of the freedom movement. Who woke up the Indians sleeping in slavery. When 'Vande Mataram' from the pen of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay resonated, such flames of revolution would rise in the hearts of the listeners that it would shake the foundation of the British rule. From the fields to the dark cells of the jail, this song became a source of inspiration for the freedom fighters.
There was the fragrance of motherland in every note and the spirit of freedom in every line. The national song 'Vande Mataram', a symbol of dedication, sacrifice and pride towards one's soil, was not just written or sung, but also lived.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had released a special postage stamp and commemorative coin to commemorate 150 years of the national song 'Vande Mataram' in November 2025. Then Prime Minister Modi had said –
'Vande Mataram' is a mantra, a dream, a resolution and an energy. This song is a worship of Mother Bharati. 'Vande Mataram' was the proclamation of India's independence and it is relevant in every era.
Then there was a 10-hour debate in the Lok Sabha on December 8, 2025 on the national song Vande Mataram. In this the PM had said- There is neither a party nor an opposition in this discussion. The mantra, the slogan which gave energy and inspiration to the country's freedom movement. It is a great privilege for all of us in this House to remember the virtue of Vande Mataram, which had shown the path of sacrifice and penance.
When was Vande Mataram written, when was it first printed and how did it become the national anthem? Let us tell you the complete story of Vande Mataram from poetry to becoming the national song...
There was British rule in India. Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay was in government service. In those days, the British gave an order, in which it was said that from now on it is mandatory for all Indians to sing the song 'God Save the Queen'.
This decree of singing songs in praise of a foreign ruler on Indian soil was not acceptable to millions of Indians including Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay under any circumstances. This order seemed to rub salt on his wounds. Hurt by the opposition to the British decree and its forced imposition, Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay wrote 'Vande Mataram'.
The song Vande Mataram written by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay was first published in the literary magazine Bangadarshan on 7 November 1875. Seven years later, Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay included it in his novel 'Anandamath', which was published in 1882.
In 1896, at the Congress session held in Calcutta (now Kolkata), Rabindranath Tagore sang Vande Mataram from the stage. This was the first time that this song was sung publicly at the national level. At that time, the eyes of thousands of people present in the meeting became moist.
Read full Vande Mataram here...
Vande Mataram! Sujal, well-fly, Malayaja, cool, crop, dark-brown mother. The white-brightness of the bridge, the flowering petals of the blossoming trees, the beautiful woman, the sweet-speaking, the bestower of boons, the bestower of boons. Vande Mataram!
millions of throats, calculations, sounds, twice-seven crore arms, slaps, said Ma! You are weak? I bow to the bearer of many strengths, the savior, the mother of the enemy’s leaves. Vande Mataram!
You are knowledge, you are religion, you are in the heart, you are the life-force, you are the life-force, and you are the arm, do not be power, you are in the heart, do not become devotion, tomara is the image in the temple in the temple. Vande Mataram!
Thou art Durga, holding ten weapons, lotus-petal, and bestower of knowledge, I bow to Thee, O lotus, incomparable, incomparable, and fruitful mother. Vande Mataram!
The dark-skinned, simple, well-smiling, adorned, earthly mother. Vande Mataram!
Fine imposed for singing Vande Mataram
By the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, 'Vande Mataram' had become the slogan of Indian nationalism. Vande Mataram became the voice of the people during the protest against the partition of Bengal in 1905 and the beginning of the Swadeshi movement. In the same year, the Indian National Congress, in its Varanasi session, sang the song 'Vande Mataram' in all events, meetings and conferences.
On 20 May 1906, a Vand Mataram procession was taken out in Barisal (now in Bangladesh), in which more than 10 thousand people took to the streets. In this, people of all religions and castes including Hindus and Muslims marched on the streets holding Vande Mataram flags in their hands.
British government frightened by the echo of Vande Mataram, imposed restrictions
When children sang this song in a school in Rangpur, the British government imposed a fine of Rs 5 each on 200 students just because they sang Vande Mataram. After this, the British rulers banned singing Vande Mataram in many schools.
Not only this, educational institutions were even threatened with cancellation of recognition. At that time the students left classes, took out processions and did not stop singing this song. At many places the police beat students and put them in jail.
When and where was Vande Mataram declared the national anthem?
After independence, there was complete consensus in the Constituent Assembly on adopting both Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram as national symbols, there was no debate on this issue.
On January 24, 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, while addressing the Constituent Assembly, had said that because of its important role in the freedom struggle, 'Vande Mataram' should be given the same status as the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' and should also be given equal respect.
The statement of Dr. Rajendra Prasad was accepted. From the same day, 'Jana-Gana-Mana' written by Rabindranath Tagore was adopted as the national anthem of the country and 'Vande Mataram' written by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay was adopted as the national anthem. Also read- 'Vande Mataram means fulfillment of resolutions', PM Modi said on completion of 150 years of the national song
Chyawanprash is a part of every Indian's life, it reduces diseases and increases energy.