From where has the national emblem of India been taken?

From where has the national emblem of India been taken? Correct Answer Ashoka Pillar, Sarnath

The Correct Answer is Ashoka Pillar, Sarnath.

Key Points

• The Lion Capital of Ashoka is a sculpture depicting four Asiatic lions standing side by side on an elaborate base surrounded by other animals.
  • In 1950, a graphic depiction of it was adopted as India's official emblem.
• Emperor Ashoka, during his reign over the Maurya Empire, originally installed it on top of the Ashoka pillar at the important Buddhist site of Sarnath in about 250 BCE.
• The Lion Capital is now housed in the Sarnath Museum in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, but the wall, also known as the Asoka Column, is still standing.

Additional Information 

• It is more elaborate than the other somewhat similar surviving capitals of Ashoka's pillars bearing the Edicts of Ashoka that were installed throughout India, most of which feature single animals at the top; one other weakened group of four lions survives, at Sanchi.
• The capital was often a separate piece from the column, cut out of a single block of polished sandstone. It depicts four Asiatic Lions standing side by side.
• They are mounted on an abacus with a frieze depicting an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull, and a lion in high relief, separated by spoked chariot wheels.
• The capital was once crowned by a 'Wheel of Dharma' with 24 spokes, fragments of which were discovered on the site.