1) History, fiction, folklore, songs, prints, symbols and icons also played a major role in the making of Nationalism in India 2) The identity of Nation is most often symbolized in a figure or image and nationalist feelings aroused among the people when they saw nation as an image, the Bharat Mata. 3) This image personification was associated in 20th century but it was first created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay who in 1870s wrote ‘Vande Mataram’ – a hymn to motherland 4) As Swadeshi movement spread in India, this image was painted by Abanindranath Tagore who portrayed Bharat Mata as an ascetic figure who is calm, divine and spiritual. This devotion came to b seen as evidence of one’s nationalism 5) During the Swadeshi movement in Bengal, a tricolor flag (red, green and yellow) was designed. It had 8 lotuses that represented 8 provinces of British India, and a crescent moon that represented Hindus and Muslims. 6) In 1921, Gandhiji designed Swaraj flag which had 3 colours – red, green and white and a spinning wheel in the centre that represented Gandhian ideal of self – help. Carrying this flag by holding it aloft, during marches or processions became a symbol of self – defiance 7) Thus, it is evident that icons and symbols played a vital role in unifying people and inspired in them the feeling of nationalism