Indian history is replete with great patriotic songs. One such song is “Saare Jahan Se Achchha”. Along with “Vande Maataram” and “Jana Gana Mana”, “Sare Jahan Se Achchha” has become most famous Indian patriotic song. It must be one of the most enduring patriotic poems of the Urdu language. The song was written by Urdu Poet Muhammad Iqbal. Originally written for children, the poem was first published in the weekly journal Ittehad. The date was 16 August 1904 and soon enough it became a nationwide phenomenon. The song was an ode to Hindustan. During that time, Hindustan comprised of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“Saare Jahan Se Achchha” was a wonderful depiction of the grand beauty of India and also expressed anguish against the oppressive regime of British. Interestingly, this song is also known as Tarana-e-Hindi.

The complete song goes like this:-

Sare jahan se accha hindostan hamara
Hum bulbulain hai is ki, yeh gulsitan hamara

Ghurbat men hon agar ham, rahta hai dil vatan men
Samjho vahin hamen bhi, dil hain jahan hamara

Parbat voh sab se uncha, hamsaya asman ka
Voh santari hamara, voh pasban hamara

Godi men khelti hain is ki hazaron nadiya
Gulshan hai jin ke dam se, rashk-e-janan hamara

Aye ab, raud, ganga, voh din hen yad tujhko
Utara tere kinare, jab karvan hamara

Maz’hab nahin sikhata apas men bayr rakhna
Hindi hai ham, vatan hai hindostan hamara

Yunan-o-misr-o-roma, sab mit gaye jahan se
Ab tak magar hai baqi, nam-o-nishan hamara

Kuch bat hai keh hasti, mitati nahin hamari
Sadiyon raha hai dushman, daur-e-zaman hamara

Iqbal ko’i meharam, apna nahin jahan men
M’alum kya kisi ko, dard-e-nihan hamara

Poet Iqbal was primarily a lecturer at the Government College, Lahore. He was a great visionary and idealist who always dreamed of sustained and harmonious existence of composite Hindu-Muslim culture. The song has transformed thousands of Indians into great patriots and freedom fighters. The song is as good as National Anthem and it is believed to be a favorite of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He sang it several times during his stay in prison. Saare Jahan Se Achchha still holds relevance and will continue to do so in coming times.

India attained its freedom from the British rule on the historic day of 15 August 1947. Since then, Indian Independence Day is celebrated on 15th of August every year. Independence Day is a moment of pride and glory for any country. It holds even more significance for India because of the struggles and sacrifices endured for our freedom. Countless numbers of freedom fighters sacrificed their lives to free the country from the clutches of British who ruled the country for almost 200 years. Independence Day in India is a national festival, celebrated across the length and breadth of the country with much fanfare and enthusiasm.

India Independence Day is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies all over the country. Cultural programs are organized in different parts of the nation attended by every strata of the society. The Indian Prime Minister unfurls the national flag at the Red Fort. The ceremony is further accentuated with highlights like guns salute, colorful performances and patriotic shows. It is a highly proud moment for the Indian citizens.

Independence Day celebration witnesses the active participation from all the religions and cultures. This day unifies India in an unprecedented way. The preparations for Independence Day festival begin in advance. All the state buildings are decorated. Flags and buntings are used to adorn the roads. It is a day when we all are reminded of our grand history.

Independence Day not just signifies the importance of freedom gained from the British but also the efforts made by our statesmen in unifying the divided India. 15th August 1947 was the day when India successfully managed to attain a major part of Asian subcontinent’s 562 extensively spread territories besides British owned states. Any article on the Independence Day of India cannot be completed without mentioning the historical “Tryst with Destiny” speech made by the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we will redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance…. We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again.”

This excerpt from his famous speech really sums up the importance of Indian Independence Day.