The Foundation Stones of the Indian State - Sanchi
In 1947 when the India became a modern political nation state, the icons that it chose to represent itself were were adopted from the symbols found in the Great Stupa of Sanchi -- built by Emperor Ashoka in the second half the 3rd Century B.C. History records Ashoka as the first political ruler of a nation state that nearly covered the entire geographic spread of the current, modern nation state that is referred to as the Republic of India. The Lion Standard -- the Ashoka Stambha -- that represents the Indian State is taken from this column located on the South Gate, the oldest gate, dating back to Emperor Ashok himself. The Dharma Chakra (shown above) that graces the centre of the Indian national flag is found on the column of the West Gate (shown below) Here are some more views of the Lion Standard that are shown below that is Subhayan and Indira Mukerjee flanking Narendralal Banerjee at Sanchi on 24th Dece...