Mahatma Gandhi's Journey to Becoming the Face of Indian Currency

Initially rejected, Gandhi's image first appeared on Indian notes in 1969 and became permanent in 1996.

After independence in 1947, Indian currency initially featured symbols of progress and heritage, not political leaders.
The Lion Capital at Sarnath was chosen as the first symbol of India's new sovereignty on currency notes.
Mahatma Gandhi's image first appeared on a currency note in 1969, during his birth centenary celebrations.
In 1987, Gandhi's portrait was reintroduced on the newly printed ₹500 note under the Rajiv Gandhi government.
The Reserve Bank of India launched the Mahatma Gandhi Series in 1996, making his image a permanent fixture on all denominations.