Hyderabad, Aug. 15 -- When the Indian flag was hoisted at midnight on August 15, 1947, it marked the birth of a free nation. But in the weeks leading up to it becoming a national symbol, the flag was a practical design challenge that had to be solved in just a few short weeks. At the centre of that effort was Surayya Tyabji, a 28-year-old artist from Hyderabad, and her husband Badruddin Tyabji, an ICS officer.

As India celebrates its 80th Independence Day today, Siasat.com takes a deep dive into the unknown history of our national symbol, uncovering the Deccani artistic legacy of Surayya behind the flag that flies above us all.

Surayya Tyabji (Image Source: The Wire article "How the Tricolour and Lion Emblem Really Came to Be")

Surayya...