The first banknotes to feature a picture of 'Bapu' was not released till 1969 on the occasion of Gandhi's birth centenary. An image depicting Mahatma Gandhi seated with his Sevagram Ashram in the background,

Mahatma Gandhi 's face on Indian currency is something we all recognize, but did you know he wasn't the first pick for this honor? The story of how his image went from being turned down to becoming a key part of India's currency notes is a fascinating journey through history and national identity.

Mahatma Gandhi's depiction came for the first time on a currency note only in 1969 on the occasion of his birth centenary

Mahatma Gandhi's image was not the immediate choice post-independence, and only after years of deliberation did his face come to symbolise India's currency

Mahatma Gandhi first appeared on currency in 1969. The Reserve Bank of India, established in 1935, initially featured King George VI on its first notes. In 1987, Gandhi's portrait was included on the newly reintroduced Rs 500 note,

The currency notes from the 1950s and 60s featured images of animals like tigers and deer, along with symbols of India's development, such as the Hirakud Dam, the Aryabhatta satellite, and the Brihadeeswara Temple.