INDIA

WATCH: How and where India celebrated its first Republic Day

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WATCH: How and where India celebrated its first Republic Day

The historical Rajpath avenue has over time become synonymous with the Republic Day anniversary ceremony, but the boulevard that runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill through Vijay Chowk and India Gate was not the venue of first celebrations marking the birth of the Republic.

Exactly 63 years ago, after having thrown off the British colonial yoke, a free India assumed the mantle of a "Sovereign Democratic Republic" on January 26, and an amphi theatre named after an erstwhile Viceroy, became the venue for the festivities after the country got its first President.

The chain of events marking the birth of a landmark in the annals of India's Independence movement make for a fascinating read.

"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 eighteen minutes past ten on the morning of Thursday, January 26, 1950.

Six minutes later, Dr Rajendra Prasad was sworn in as ,President," reported "Fauji Akhbar" (now 'Sainik Samachar') in, its article titled 'Birth of a Republic' on February 4, the same year.

"The birth of Indian Republic and the installation of its first President were announced by a salute of 31 guns shortly after 10:30 am," reports the publication. In an impressive swearing-in ceremony, the retiring Governor-General, C Rajagopalachari, read out the proclamation of the Republic of "India, that is, Bharat".