National Emblem of India: Animals in Indian Emblem, About State Emblem of India

What is the National Emblem of India?

"A heraldic instrument or symbolic artifact as a unique insignia of a nation, organization, or family" is how the dictionary defines an emblem. The Emblem of India is a seal designated for official use that commands the utmost respect and allegiance. It stands for a nation's foundational constitutional values and is a demonstration of power. On January 26, 1950, Madhav Sawhney approved the Indian National Emblem.

National Emblem of India PDF

The State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act-2005 stipulates that the National Emblem of India may only be used in accordance with certain laws, and any illegal use is penalized by law.

State Emblem of India Highlights

Some important factoids about the National Emblem of India for the UPSC exams have been listed in the table below:

Historical Background of the National Emblem

The Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka, which is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, served as the inspiration for the state's emblem.

• The original depicts four lions standing shoulder to shoulder on an abacus with a border holding high relief figures of an elephant, a charging horse, a bull, and a lion over a bell-shaped lotus.
• The Wheel of the Law is the capital's crown, which was carved from a single piece of polished sandstone (Dharma Chakra).
• Only three of the four lions are visible in the state emblem, which the Government of India chose on January 26, 1950; the fourth is hidden.
• With a bull on the right, a horse on the left, and the outlines of other wheels on the far right and left, the wheel appears in relief in the centre of the abacus.
• There is no bell-shaped lotus present.

Salient features of the National Emblem of India

The State emblem of India is the official seal of the Government of India. Four animals are shown, representing four directions:

1. A Galloping Horse: West
• The horse is a representation of Kanthaka, the horse that Buddha is claimed to have ridden out of his life as a prince.
2. An Elephant: East
• The elephant's presence is based on Queen Maya's dream in which a white elephant crawls inside her womb.
3. A Bull: South
• The Bull represents the Taurus zodiac sign, which represents the month of Buddha's birth.
4. A Lion: North
• The lion represents achieving enlightenment.

The National Emblem of India Animals appears to be following one another as they continue to circle the wheel of existence eternally. Below the abacus, the Devanagari script is used to inscribe the words Satyameva Jayate, which are taken from the Mundaka Upanishad and signify "Truth Alone Triumphs."

The Wheel of the Law (Dharma Chakra), which is perched atop the nation's capital, represents Buddha's dissemination of the Dharma in all directions. It was constructed to commemorate the Dharmachakrapravartna, or the first sermon, of the Buddha.

Important Facts about the National Emblem of India

Some important facts about the National Emblem of India have been listed below;

• Emperor Ashoka constructed the Ashoka pillar, with four lions seated back to back, symbolizing strength, bravery, confidence, and pride.
• Horses, bulls, elephants, and lions are among the other animals engraved on the pillar. Each animal represents a specific meaning
• Craftsmen from the same region used stone from Chunar and Mathura to sculpt all of the Ashoka Pillars.
• Each pillar of the National Emblem, which is between 40 and 50 feet tall and can weigh up to 50 tonnes, was pulled to the site where it was raised.
• Nineteen pillars with inscriptions and six pillars with animal capitals are still standing.
• The statements about morals portrayed in the pillars' engravings are based on Buddhist principles.
• Under the national anthem, the phrase "Satyameva Jayate"—"The Truth Alone Triumphs"—is etched.
• The phrase "Satyameva Jayate" is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad, which is the final section of the revered Hindu Vedas.
• The National Emblem is inextricably linked to the official letterhead of the Government of India and serves as the official seal of the President of India, Central, and State Governments.
• The National Passport of the Republic of India and all the Indian currency feature the Emblem of India.
• The fourth lion was missing from the emblem's two-dimensional portrayal on the first copy of the Indian Constitution.
• The Indian Police Service (IPS) personnel sport a state emblem on their headgear.
• The State Emblem of India may also be used by Members of Parliament (MPs) on their business cards and letterhead.
• Before he painted the lion on paper, Dinanath Bhargava is said to have visited the Alipore Zoo in Kolkata.

Legal Provisions of Indian National Emblem

These regulations state that the Indian National Emblem must only be used in accordance with the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act 2005 and that any unauthorized use is unlawful and punishable.

• If someone breaks the legislation, they could receive a fine of up to Rs 5000 or a sentence of up to 2 years in prison.
• State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act 2005 and the State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules 2007:

Usage of Our National Emblem

The Ashoka Chakra in the National Flag is taken from the National Emblem. The letterheads of the Central Government, State Government, and other government agencies also use the Emblem of India. It is also used on the Currency of India and Passports of India

The National Emblem of India is also seen on the following buildings:

• Rashtrapati Bhawan
• Parliament House
• Supreme Court
• High Courts
• Central Secretariat
• Secretariat Buildings of States and Union Territories
• Raj Bhawan/Raj Niwas
• State Legislature
• Premises of India's Diplomatic Mission abroad
• Residences of Heads of Missions in the countries
• At the entrances of buildings used by Indian Consulates abroad

Indian Emblem Mauryan Pillars

The Mauryan pillars were carved out of rock, showcasing the carver's artistry.

• Ashoka constructed the stone pillars with inscriptions discovered in the north Indian region of the Mauryan Empire.
• Capital figures like the bull, the lion, the elephant, etc., were carved onto the top of the pillar.
• Each of the capital figures is carved, standing on a square or circular abacus, and are all ebullient.
• Visually striking lotuses are used to embellish abacuses.
• A few examples of the Mauryan Pillar include:
• The Ashoka Pillar (Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh)
• The Lauria Nandangarh Pillar (West Champaran, Bihar)
• The Lion Capital of Ashoka (Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)

National Emblem of India UPSC Questions

The National Emblem of India is a relevant topic, choke-full of important factoids for your IAS Exam preparation. Aspirants should be familiar with the topic. Practice these questions below to test your knowledge.

Question: Where is the national motto of India, Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the Emblem of India taken from?

1. Katha Upanishad
2. Chandogya Upanishad
3. Aitareya Upanishad
4. Mundaka Upanishad

Answer: D

Question: When was the Ashoka Stambh built?

1. 300 BC
2. 250 BC
3. 400 BC
4. 100 BC

Answer: B

National Emblem UPSC

National Emblem of India is an important topic from the IAS Exam perspective. This topic is relevant to the subject of Indian Polity in the UPSC Syllabus. This makes it an often enquired-about topic in the UPSC Prelims, UPSC Mains, and optional papers.

Candidates should brush up on their basics well and commit all the facts to their memory. Follow appropriate Polity books for UPSC exam preparation.