12 Years Of Decolonisation: Modi Government Replaced Colonial-Era Symbols Nationwide

Over the past twelve years, the Narendra Modi-led government has undertaken a wide-ranging initiative aimed at removing what it describes as remnants of British colonial rule from India’s institutions, public spaces, and administrative systems. The effort has been framed by the government as a broader push to shed a “colonial mindset” and reinforce indigenous identity across governance, culture, and national symbolism.

One of the most visible examples of this initiative has been the transformation of key national landmarks. Rajpath in New Delhi was renamed Kartavya Path, or “Path of Duty,” in a move the government described as shifting the space from an emblem of authority to one of public ownership. Similarly, the new Parliament building incorporates Indian architectural motifs, with chambers themed around national symbols such as the peacock, lotus, and banyan tree, alongside the installation of the Sengol, a ceremonial sceptre rooted in Tamil tradition.

Changes have also been made in military and ceremonial traditions. The Indian Navy adopted a new ensign in 2022, replacing the St George’s Cross with a design inspired by Indian heritage, including the national flag, emblem, and motifs associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The annual Beating Retreat ceremony has likewise been reoriented to include Indian musical compositions and instruments, reflecting a stronger emphasis on indigenous cultural identity in state ceremonies.

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Administrative and legislative reforms have further reinforced this shift. Three colonial-era criminal laws — the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act — have been replaced with new legislations titled the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. In addition, more than 1,500 obsolete laws have been repealed since 2014, according to government data.

Symbolic and institutional renaming has also extended to public infrastructure and official nomenclature. Race Course Road, the Prime Minister’s residence address, was renamed Lok Kalyan Marg, while several government buildings and administrative centres have been rechristened with names such as Kartavya Bhavan and Seva Tirth. The Railway Budget was merged with the Union Budget in 2017, and the presentation date of the Union Budget was shifted to February 1 to streamline fiscal processes.

Beyond governance, the initiative has extended into cultural and educational policy. Islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago were renamed to reflect Indian freedom struggle figures, while reforms under the National Education Policy have emphasised instruction in Indian languages. The government has also highlighted efforts to catalogue and republish literary works once banned during British rule, positioning them as part of reclaiming suppressed historical narratives.

Taken together, these measures reflect a sustained attempt by the government to reframe national identity through the removal or reinterpretation of colonial-era symbols and systems, while emphasising indigenous traditions, languages, and historical references in public life.

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