Vande Mataram at 150: How a Poem Became India's Enduring Voice of Freedom

• "Vande Mataram" celebrates 150 years, marking its journey from a literary work to a national symbol of India's freedom struggle.
• First published in Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel "Anandamath" in the 1880s, it quickly transformed into a revolutionary anthem.
• Rabindranath Tagore performed it at an Indian National Congress meeting in 1896, and it became a rallying cry during the 1905 Swadeshi Movement.
• Despite British bans, its significance grew, becoming an act of defiance for freedom fighters and sung in jails and protests.
• The Constituent Assembly recognized it as the national song on January 24, 1950, honoring its historic role alongside "Jana Gana Mana."

Why It Matters: Vande Mataram's 150-year journey highlights its profound impact as a symbol of India's freedom and national identity.