First Republic Day Parade
First Republic Day Parade of Independent India on 26th Jan 1950 at Rajpath was extended to a length of 24 km which is greeted by a crowd to watch this splendid spectacle for the first time.
"At the most solemn ceremony held in the brilliantly lit and high domes of Durbar Hall at Government House, India was declared a Sovereign Democratic Republic exactly at 18 minutes past 10 on the morning of January 26, 1950. Six minutes later, Dr Rajendra Prasad was sworn in as President," as per Fauji Akhbar which is now called Sainik Samachar in a article on February 4 1950. It was also stated that "The birth of the Indian Republic and the installation of its first President were announced by a salute of 31 guns shortly after 10:30 am"
Parade Completion
Parade ended at 3:45 pm at the Irwin Amphitheatre, where 3,000 officers and men of the three armed services and the police had taken positions for the ceremonial parade. Close to 15,000 people who had gathered at the amphitheatre witnessed the historic moment.
