Gun Salute was given for the first time with a cannon made in the country on 15th August
Independence Day on August 15, 2022. For the first time, indigenous howitzer gun, ATAG has becomenpart of 21 gun salute.
21 Gun Salute Tradition
Every year on August 15, after the Prime Minister hoists the Tiranga at the Red Fort, the military band plays the national anthem while the artillery regiment on the other hand gives a festive salute of 21
volley guns. A volley gun refers to a gun that has multiple single-shot barrels that fire rounds simultaneously in a volley fire. The tradition of gun salutes dates back to Western navies, where ships coming to and from ports used to fire guns in a specific manner to make it clear that they had no intention of war.
This tradition later came to be used as a way of paying respect at an official reception. It began to be used as a welcome honor to thebCrown, royals, military
commanders and heads of state.
India inherited this tradition from the British rulers. In British rule, 101 volley, 31 volley and 21 volley gun salutes were given according to rank and status.
Similarly, depending on the position and status a gun salute is given on Republic Day, Independence Day and other occasions as well as during the swearing-in ceremony of the President in India.
The tradition of the 21-gun salute given over the years is based on the British howitzers of the World War I era. Empty shells are fired in it. It is also known as the Ordnance Quick Fire 25 Pounder or simply '25 Pounder'.
Advance Todd Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)
ATAGS is an indigenous 155 mm x 52 caliber howitzer gun. Howitzer is a broad term for a class of long-
range guns. It has been developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), whose Pune-based facility Armament Research and
Development Establishment (ARDE) is the nodal agency.
The ATAGS project was initiated in the year 2013 by DRDO to upgrade the old guns in the Indian Army to
replace it with artillery guns i.e. modern 155 mm guns.