Gandhi on Indian Currency and Its Significance

Gandhi's influence on Indian currency is a significant aspect of the country's history. Gandhi's image was first featured on Indian currency in 1996.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced a new Rs 100 currency note featuring Gandhi's image. This move was seen as a way to honor Gandhi's legacy and make Indian currency more recognizable globally.

Gandhi's image has since been featured on various denominations of Indian currency.

Mahatma Gandhi's portrait has been a permanent feature on Indian currency notes since 1996, replacing the Ashoka Pillar.

Gandhi first appeared on Indian currency notes in 1969, featuring him at Sevagram Ashram. This was on the occasion of his 100th birth anniversary.

The Reserve Bank of India's Department of Currency Management designs Indian currency, with approvals from the central bank and the Central government.

A series of Rs 500 notes featuring a smiling Gandhi was released in 1987, and since then, his portrait has been regularly featured on different denominations.

The RBI launched the Mahatma Gandhi Series in 1996, which included several security features such as a windowed security thread, latent image, and intaglio features for the visually impaired.

The portrait of Gandhi visible on banknotes isn’t a caricature; it’s a cut-out of a photograph taken in 1946, where he is standing with British politician Lord Frederick William Pethick-Lawrence.

The RBI has consistently rejected suggestions to include images of other leaders, gods, and goddesses on currency notes.

Here are the key dates related to Gandhi's image on Indian currency:

Gandhi's image on Indian currency has a fascinating history. The first time his picture appeared on a currency note was in 1969, marking his birth centenary.

Gandhi's portrait was featured on a ₹500 note in 1987, released by the then Rajiv Gandhi government. This was a significant move to honor the Mahatma's legacy.

The RBI designed the Mahatma Gandhi Series in 1996, which features Gandhi's face permanently on all Indian currency notes. This series replaced the previous banknotes.

The Reserve Bank of India's Department of Currency Management designs Indian currency with approvals from the central bank and the Central government. They realized that traditional security features were inadequate due to advancements in printing, scanning, and photography.

Gandhi was chosen for his national appeal and acceptance, making him an ideal figure for the currency notes. His portrait is a cut-out of a photograph taken in 1946, where he is standing with British politician Lord Frederick William Pethick-Lawrence.

The photograph was selected because it had the most suitable expression of Gandhi smiling – the portrait is a mirror image of the cut-out.

Mahatma Gandhi's portrait has been a permanent feature on Indian currency since 1996.

The RBI launched the Mahatma Gandhi Series in 1996, which included his face on all denominations of banknotes. The series replaced the former Ashoka Pillar bank notes and introduced several security features, including a windowed security thread, latent image, and intaglio features for the visually impaired.

Gandhi's portrait was chosen because of his national appeal and the fact that inanimate objects would be relatively easier to forge compared to a human face. The RBI felt that traditional security features were inadequate considering advancements in reprographic techniques.

The first Indian currency notes featuring Gandhi were issued in 1969 to commemorate his 100th birth anniversary. These notes bore his portrait with the Sevagram Ashram in the background.

A new series of banknotes, the Mahatma Gandhi New Series, was announced by the RBI in 2016. The series retained Gandhi's portrait and added the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan logo on the back of the notes.

Here's a list of the denominations of banknotes that feature Gandhi's portrait:

Mahatma Gandhi's image has become synonymous with Indian currency, representing the nation's values of peace, unity, and sacrifice.

Gandhi's likeness was first incorporated into Indian banknotes in 1969, coinciding with the centenary of his birth.

The RBI and Finance Ministry have consistently opted to keep Gandhi's portrait on Indian currency, viewing it as a reflection of the country's spirit.

Gandhi's image has become a lasting symbol of Indian currency, despite occasional demands for alternatives.

The RBI has maintained Gandhi's position on Indian currency, with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley emphasizing that any alterations to currency designs are conducted in collaboration with the RBI.

The introduction of Gandhi's image on Indian currency was a deliberate choice, reflecting the nation's values and identity.

Gandhi's legacy continues to be celebrated on Indian currency, serving as a reminder of his pivotal role in the country's independence movement.

The RBI's decision to keep Gandhi's image on Indian currency has been consistent, with no significant changes made over the years.