Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Vande Mataram was first published in 1875 in 'Bangadarshan' journal and it was only later that Chatterjee incorporated the hymn in his famous novel 'Anandamath'. Rabindranath Tagore sang Vande Mataram at 1896 session of the Congress. The words 'Vande Mataram' were also written on the tricolour flag first hoisted by Madam Bhikaji Cama in 1907.