21 Gun Salute Story: You must have seen that 21 gun salutes are given to honor Republic Day, Independence Day or any foreign head of state. This tradition is considered very respectable, but have you ever wondered why only 21 gun salutes are given on such occasions? If not, today we are going to tell you the story behind this tradition. Let’s know why and when it started…
History of 21 gun salute
The story of 21 gun salute in the country is more than 150 years old. Through this process, the grandeur and power of the colonial power was displayed in that period. These 3 fearless displays of grandeur were organized in 1877, 1903 and 1911 in Delhi during the British era.
Viceroy Lord Lytton organized the first Durbar in Delhi in the year 1877, which is now called Coronation Park. In this, the Maharajas and princes of India were called to read a proclamation to declare Queen Victoria as the Empress of India. In the second court, a new emperor was crowned in England. The third Durbar was held in the year 1911, which was special because of King George V and Queen Mary. In his honor, 50 thousand British and Indian soldiers paraded.
Salami’s standards fixed on this basis
In fact, till the year 1877, the standards for the salute of cannons were not fixed. During the Durbar held this year, on the advice of the government in London, the Viceroy issued a new order, under which 101 gun salutes were fixed for the British Emperor and 31 for the Viceroy of India. Along with this, the hierarchy of giving 21, 19, 17, 15, 11 and 9 gun salutes to the Indian kings based on their relationship with the British Raj was decided.
21 gun salute in India after independence
After independence, on 26 January 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over as the first President of India. He had come from Rashtrapati Bhavan to Irwin Amphitheater (Major Dhyan Chand Stadium) riding in a horse carriage to receive the 21-gun salute to be given to the President of the country. Since then, the 21 gun salute has become the international norm. Since 1971, the 21-gun salute has become the highest honor given to the President and visiting heads of state. Apart from this, this salute is also given during the oath of the new President and on some special occasions.
Considered the country’s best honor
Now there are 21 shells in the salute which is given, but there are only 8 cannons, out of which 7 cannons are used for the salute, 3 shells are fired from each cannon. There is a squad of about 122 jawans to give salute, whose headquarter is in Meerut. This is not a permanent regiment of the Indian Army.
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