Do you know why only Mahatma Gandhi’s picture appears on the Indian rupee? Why not any other freedom fighter, poet, or leader? Now, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has answered this question.
According to the RBI, many names were considered for featuring on Indian currency notes. These included great personalities like Rabindranath Tagore and Mother Teresa. However, after discussions, there was a common agreement on choosing Mahatma Gandhi.
This agreement led to the final decision, and as a result, Gandhi’s picture has been on the currency notes for a long time. This information has been shared in a documentary made on the working and role of the Reserve Bank of India.
That’s Why a Famous Person’s Picture Was Used on the Note
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has explained why the picture of a famous person was added to the Indian currency. The RBI said that it helps people easily identify the note. If someone tries to make a fake note, a poorly printed picture makes it easier to spot the fake one.
To match India’s culture, design, and security needs, many great personalities were considered. These included Rabindranath Tagore, Mother Teresa, and Abul Kalam Azad. But in the end, there was a full agreement on choosing Mahatma Gandhi’s picture.
Who Was on the Note Before Independence?
Before India got independence, British rulers used to print different pictures on Indian rupees. These notes showed colonial symbols and animals like tigers and deer. Some notes even had decorative elephants and pictures of the British king.
After 1947, the look of Indian currency slowly changed. The Ashoka Pillar’s lion symbol and pictures of famous Indian places were used. Later, as India progressed, notes started showing achievements like science and farming—such as the Aryabhatta satellite and images of farmers.
Gandhi’s Picture First Appeared in 1969
As per the RBI website, Mahatma Gandhi’s picture was first shown in 1969 on a ₹100 commemorative note. This was released on his birth centenary, and the note also had an image of the Sevagram Ashram.
From 1987, his picture started appearing regularly. That year, ₹500 notes were printed with Gandhi’s photo. In 1996, the RBI introduced a new series called the Mahatma Gandhi Series with better security features due to improved printing technology.
How Currency Is Sent Across the Country
To help people understand its work, the RBI recently made a documentary. It shows how money is transported from the printing press to every corner of the country. For this, the RBI uses trains, aeroplanes, and even waterways.
This is the first time the RBI has shared such details in a film. The name of the documentary is ‘RBI Unlocked: Beyond the Rupee’.