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The National Emblem of India is adopted today in 1950. This is an adaptation of the Sarnath Lion Capital, associated with the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka.
Adopted on 26th Jan 1950
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 National Emblem stands tall on the first ever Republic Day being celebrated in 1950, at Irwin Stadium; Source: Economic Times
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.
In the emblematic representation, only 3 lions are visible at one time, and the horse and the bull as well.
The decision to choose this symbol came from both the symbolism of various elements within the emblem as well as its historical significance.
Symbolically, the 4 lions stand as symbols of power and confidence, while the bull represents hard work and the horse representing speed and energy.
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.
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