GS Paper-1
Syllabus: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Source: Indian Express
Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the National Emblem cast on the roof of the new Parliament building.
The concept sketch and process of casting the National Emblem on the roof of the building went through eight different stages of preparation from clay modelling/ computer graphics to bronze casting and polishing.
About National Emblem:
- On 26 January 1950, a representation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka placed above the motto, Satyameva Jayate, was adopted as the State Emblem of India.
- It was chosen as a symbol of contemporary India’s reaffirmation of its ancient commitment to world peace and goodwill.
History:
- The state emblem is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka.
- In the original, there are four lions, standing back to back, mounted on an abacus with a frieze carrying sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening wheels over a bell-shaped lotus
- Carved out of a single block of polished sandstone, the Capital is crowned by the Wheel of the Law (Dharma Chakra).
Significance
- While Buddhist interpretations say the animals represent different phases of the Buddha’s life, non-religious interpretations say they depict the reign of emperor Ashoka in the four geographical directions, while the wheels depict his enlightened rule.
Practice Questions:
Q. Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription? “Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.” (UPSC 2020)
(a) Ashoka
(b) Samudragupta
(c) Harshavardhana
(d) Krishnadeva Raya
Answer: A
Q. In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka? (UPSC 2019)
(a) Kanganahalli
(b) Sanchi
(c) Shahbazagrhi
(d) Sohgaura
Answer: A
