IN PICS | First Republic Day Parade And Other January 26 Photos From The Past

India got freedom from the British in 1947 but became truly independent, a republic, in 1950. The country has since celebrated the day in a big way every year on January 26.

President Rajendra Prasad (in horse-drawn carriage) readies to take part in the first Republic Day parade on Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26, 1950

President Rajendra Prasad (in horse-drawn carriage) readies to take part in the first Republic Day parade on Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26, 1950 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Dr BR Ambedkar (7th from right) among other dignitaries at India's first Republic Day parade on January 26, 1950 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The 1956 Republic Day parade when President Rajendra Prasad took the salute | Photo: Getty

The Republic Day at the Red Fort in New Delhi on January 26, 1957 | Photo: Getty

The Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 1960 | Photo: Getty

Then President Dr Rajendra Prasad flanked by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who were chief guests at the Republic Day parade on Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26, 1961 | Photo: Getty

The Republic Day parade on January 26, 1961 | Photo Getty

A group of young girls playing instruments and dancing during the march past on India's 11th Republic Day, on January 26, 1961, in Delhi | Photo: Getty

Spectators during the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 1961, in New Delhi | Photo: Getty

A military parade past the canopy on the Rajpath in New Delhi during Republic Day celebrations in 1965 | Photo: Getty

Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with Alexei Kosygin, chairman of the Council of Ministers of the erstwhile USSR, and former President of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito and his wife during Republic Day celebrations on January 28, 1968 | Photo: Getty