State Emblem

State Emblem of India

The Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka is an adaptation of the State Emblem of India. It is used on the Ashoka Pillar (built by the ruler of Maurya Empire, Emperor Ashoka) as an emblem. Ancient Trade routes, Buddhist stupas and Monasteries were some of the places where these pillars were established. The State Emblem of India is the statue which consists of four lions with their face in four different directions. It was adopted on January 26, 1950, on the Republic day of India. The purpose of this statue is to indicate the quote “Satyameva Jayate”. Different States and Union Territories use their own different emblems except Assam, Gujarat, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Ladakh and  Puducherry and these emblem are used as the symbol of the official government.

Structure of the State Emblem of India

The animals used in the State Emblem of India consists of four Asiatic lions with their face in four directions, standing back to each other and and these lions are seated on an abacus with an elephant on frieze carrying statue or sculptures, a running horse, and a bull. All the animals used in the State Emblem of India including lions, elephant, bull and horse are separated by wheels in between over a lotus which is a bell shaped. The wheel in between is the DharmaChakra (Wheel of the Law). The horse is on the left side of the wheel while the bull is on the right side. The word from Mundaka Upanishads “Satyameva Jayate” stands for “Truth Alone Triumphs” engraved in Devnagari Script below the Abacus. The Lion symbolises confidence, power, pride and courage. The horse represents speed, loyalty and energy while the bull represents steadfastness and hard work.

History of State Emblem of India

On December 30, 1947 the Independent India officially adopted the State Emblem of India after British Rule ending on August 15, 1947. The emblem is enclosed in a rectangular shaped frame representing the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. The Indian National Congress appointed Nandalal Bose for beautifying the Indian Constitution’s original copy. He with his student Dinanath Bhargava and other students finished his duty and was eager to incorporate the Lion Capital of Ashoka into Constitution’s opening pages so he chose his student Dinanath Bhargava for this purpose.

The Emblem’s simplified and beautiful version was stamped on military rifles of India (2a1) during 1966 year on the wrist followed by the production year and the designation of rifle. Finally on January 26, 1950 the State Emblem of India was adopted to represent the Lion Capital of Ashoka which was placed above the slogan “Satyameva Jayate”.

Who can use the State Emblem of India?

The State Emblem of India is strictly used by the State Government, the Union Government and many agencies of the government. The proper use of the State Emblem of India is mentioned in the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 and only those persons which are mentioned under this act came to use the State Emblem of India. Only the Central Government has the right or power to make the rules and regulations regarding the appropriate use of the State Emblem of India. The use of the emblem is restricted to the following people;

• No person can use this emblem for their personal work symbol and it also includes former ministers, retired government officials, former judges etc. apart from the common people.
• No public committee, Municipal Council, bank, Parishad, Universities, non-governmental organisation or any other private organisation shall use the emblem of India for their purpose in any manner.
• No person or association shall use it on their house flags, seals, brochures, letter heads and likewise.

Uses of the State Emblem of India

The uses are;

• It is used on currency of India.
• It is used by the Indian Government for official letterhead.
• It is used many times on passports of India.
• The State Emblem of India represents courage, loyalty, power, confidence, pride, hard work and energy.

Conclusion

The State Emblem of India is India’s National Emblem which consists of four Lions depicting the confidence, power, pride and courage of India. It is an adaptation of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka and is quoted with “Satyameva Jayate ” at the bottom of the statue with the DharmaChakra Wheel in the middle. The Lion is headed towards the direction North, the Horse is headed towards West, the Elephant towards East and the Bull toward South. It is used only by the governmental organisations mentioned under the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 and the Central Government.