With the establishment of a new Indian Republic, came the need to design a National Emblem, one which could be proudly held as an example of, and which reflected in one way or the other, the idea of the new republic was to be created. The national emblem was unveiled on the 26th of January, 1950.

The symbol is derived from the Lion Capital of Ashoka, built around 250 BCE at Sarnath, by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. 4 lions face the 4 directions, and stand atop a platform with the Ashokan Chakra (wheel) at its base, flanked by a horse and a bull.

The decision to choose this symbol came from both the symbolism of various elements within the emblem as well as its historical significance.

Historically, the Mauryan Empire has been till now regarded as the oldest extant Empire for which historical sources have determined the extent and existence. Other cultures like the Indus Valley had not yet been deciphered.

The Mauryan symbol, thus, with the wheel of Dharma at its base, became representative of the historicity and the values which the modern Indian republic was to stand by. The symbol, along with the Devanagari-written motto Satyameva Jayate in Sanskrit, meaning, Truth Alone Triumphs, now greets all official correspondence of the government of India.

Furthermore, many national bodies and Central government level institutions also use the symbol for their logos to be modelled around. Its use is, however, regulated by the state and no private organisation and/or individual is allowed to make use of the symbol during official correspondence.