Do You Know Why Mahatma Gandhi’s Photo Is On All Indian Currency Notes?

Story Behind Mahatma Gandhi's Photo on Indian Currency:?Many renowned photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Margaret Bourke-White, and Max Desfor captured Mahatma Gandhi throughout his lifetime. However, the most widely circulated image of Gandhi is his portrait on Indian official currency notes.

As the Father of the Nation, it might seem obvious for Gandhi to have appeared on national currency soon after India gained independence in 1947. However, it was only in 1996 that his portrait became a permanent feature on legal banknotes of every denomination issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India's central bank responsible for regulating the banking system. Here's the story behind Mahatma Gandhi's photo of Indian currency:

Did You Know Why Mahatma Gandhi’s Photo Is On Indian Currency? Here’s Everything You Need To Know | Freepik

The Story Behind Mahatma Gandhi's Photo on Indian Currency

Currencies symbolise a nation’s sovereignty and often feature leaders who have played key roles in their country's history. Around the world, currency notes display images of founding fathers or prominent leaders. For example, US notes feature George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, Pakistani currency bears Mohammad Ali Jinnah's portrait, and Chinese notes feature Mao Zedong.

In India, Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait has been on national currency for over fifty years. Although these notes have been in circulation for many years, they weren't used immediately after India’s independence in 1947. Gandhi’s portrait became a permanent feature on all denominations only in 1996.

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Origin of Mahatma Gandhi’s Photo on Currency

In colonial India, currency notes featured King George VI. After independence, his image was replaced with the national emblem, the Lion Capital at Sarnath.

Mahatma Gandhi first appeared on Indian currency notes in 1969 in honour of his 100th birth anniversary, featuring him at Sevagram Ashram. Before Gandhi, currency notes mostly had the image of the Lion Capital of Ashoka. Other images included the Konark Temple (Rs 20), Brihadeeswara Temple (Rs 1,000), and Gateway of India (Rs 5,000).

In October 1987, a series of Rs 500 notes featuring a smiling Gandhi was released. Since then, his portrait has been regularly featured on different denominations. The Mahatma Gandhi series was issued in 1996, replacing all previous banknotes.

Did You Know Why Mahatma Gandhi’s Photo Is On Indian Currency? Here’s Everything You Need To Know | Stock Image

Cut-out from a 1946 photograph

The image of Gandhi on Indian currency notes is not a caricature but a cut-out from a 1946 photograph where he is standing with British politician Lord Frederick William Pethick-Lawrence. This image was chosen for its suitable expression of Gandhi smiling.

The Reserve Bank of India’s Department of Currency Management designs Indian currency, with approvals from the central bank and the Central government. In the 1990s, the RBI realised that traditional security features were inadequate due to advancements in printing, scanning, and photography. It was believed that inanimate objects would be easier to forge than a human face. Gandhi was chosen for his national appeal and acceptance, and the Mahatma Gandhi Series was launched in 1996, replacing the Ashoka Pillar. Gandhi is a respected international figure who is widely accepted across different ideologies and party lines.

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The Mahatma Gandhi New Series

In 2016, after the government's demonetisation move, the RBI announced the Mahatma Gandhi New Series of banknotes. Although the colour of the notes changed, Gandhi’s portrait remained, along with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan logo on the back.

Despite demands to include images of other leaders, gods, and goddesses on currency notes, the RBI has consistently rejected these suggestions. In 2014, former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley stated in the Lok Sabha that an RBI panel decided against including any other national leader’s image on banknotes, saying no other personality better represents the ethos of the country than Mahatma Gandhi.

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