For most Indians, Sunday is a day of rest, relaxation, family time, and freedom from school or office routines. But have you ever wondered why Sunday became the official weekly holiday in India? Was it always like this? The answer lies in a fascinating mix of colonial influence, labour movements, global traditions and practical needs of society.
Although India is a country of many religions with different holy days such as Friday for Muslims and Saturday for Jews the idea of a common weekly holiday on Sunday became deeply rooted over time. Let’s explore how and why Sunday emerged as the universal day of rest in India.
A Colonial Legacy: The British Influence
India did not always have a weekly holiday system. The concept of a fixed weekly day off was introduced during the British colonial period.
In England and other Christian-majority countries, Sunday was traditionally considered the Sabbath, a day meant for rest, prayer, and family bonding. When the British set up their administrative offices, factories, and educational institutions in India, they brought their work culture with them—including the Sunday holiday practice.
Gradually, British-run institutions began closing on Sundays, and since Indians worked heavily in these places, the idea spread across the country.
The Role of Indian Labour Movements
While the British introduced the notion of a Sunday holiday, it did not come into effect smoothly. Indian workers in factories and mills often had to work seven days a week in the early 19th century. Long working hours, harsh conditions, and lack of rest gave rise to strong labour movements demanding a weekly holiday.
A key moment in this struggle came from an unexpected place: Karamchand Maneklal Gandhi, father of Mahatma Gandhi. He played an essential role in advocating weekly offs in British India’s factories.
The demands of mill workers in cities like Mumbai, Kanpur, and Kolkata strengthened the push for a day of rest. Labour unions argued that:
- Workers were exhausted without any weekly break
- Productivity suffered due to overwork
- Families had no time together
- A day of rest would improve overall health
These movements forced the colonial administration to listen.
The 1881 Factories Act: A Turning Point
The official recognition of Sunday as a weekly holiday came with the passage of the Factories Act of 1881. This law mandated that workers in British India would receive a weekly holiday, and Sunday was chosen for convenience, aligning with the British system.
From that moment, Sunday slowly became the standard weekly holiday for factory workers, government employees, and later, private institutions.
Influence of Christian Culture
Christian missionaries, British officials, and Anglo-Indian communities observed Sunday as the day of worship. As churches gained a presence in major Indian cities, Sunday became associated with rest and prayer.
Schools run by Christian organisations also followed the Sunday holiday system. Over time, Indian schools of all backgrounds adopted the same schedule, making it a national habit.
Why Not Friday or Saturday?
India is a diverse nation with multiple faiths:
- Muslims consider Friday holy
- Jews and some Christians observe Saturday (Sabbath)
- Hindus view various days like Monday or Thursday as auspicious depending on the deity
Still, Sunday became the universal holiday for three practical reasons:
- Colonial administrative structure was already following Sunday as a weekly off
- Industrial workplaces operated in sync with British factory schedules
- A uniform holiday created national consistency, making coordination easier among businesses, government departments, and schools
Changing the day to Friday or Saturday after Independence would have created confusion and disrupted existing systems.
Post-Independence India Continued the Practice
After 1947, India debated whether to continue the Sunday holiday. But practical considerations won:
- Government offices were already structured around a Sunday-off system
- Removing Sunday would disrupt schools, colleges, and industries
- A national holiday on another day would bring unnecessary complexity
Thus, Sunday remained the preferred weekly holiday, and by the 20th century, it was so deeply rooted that no government attempted to change it.
Modern Lifestyle Reinforced the Tradition
Today, Sunday has cultural and social significance for Indians:
- Schools and colleges are closed, allowing students a break
- Offices shut down, giving people time for personal activities
- Sunday mornings are reserved for cinemas, cricket matches, temple visits, or family outings
- Many people attend religious services, irrespective of religion
- Shops and markets often adjust their timings around the Sunday routine
It has become a day of rest not just by law but also by lifestyle.
The Two-Day Weekend Debate
In recent years, India has discussed moving to a five-day work week, giving both Saturday and Sunday off. Many government departments and IT companies already follow it. Some private firms and start-ups are experimenting with shorter workweeks for better work-life balance.
While Sunday remains the official weekly holiday, the idea of a two-day weekend is gaining popularity in urban India.
Conclusion
Sunday became a holiday in India mainly due to British colonial influence, strengthened by labour rights movements and reinforced by cultural acceptance over time. What began as a Christian tradition evolved into a national routine that now serves as a much-needed pause in the fast-paced lives of Indians.
