National Flag: TRICOLOURWHY WAS IT MADE A NATIONAL SYMBOL?As the idea of India emerged, so did the need for a common banner to unite under. The first such national flag, a tricolour with re...Image by CHAITANYA DINESH SURPUR
National Emblem: THE LION CAPITALWHY WAS IT MADE A NATIONAL SYMBOL?The national emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital, originally found atop the Ashoka Column at Sarnath, established ...Image by CHAITANYA DINESH SURPUR
National Animal: TIGERWHY WAS IT MADE A NATIONAL SYMBOL?The tiger, long part of Indian mythology and folklore, was adopted as the National Animal by the Indian Board for Wildlife in 1972. ...Image by CHAITANYA DINESH SURPUR
National Flower: LOTUSWHY WAS IT MADE A NATIONAL SYMBOL?&ldquoThere is hardly any symbolism in Indian poetry, sculpture and painting more extensive than that belonging to the lotus flower a...Image by CHAITANYA DINESH SURPUR
National Tree: BANYANWHY WAS IT MADE A NATIONAL SYMBOL?Ficus benghalensis, the Indian Banyan, is native to the country and inseparable from its cultural beliefs. The sacred tree is said to ...Image by CHAITANYA DINESH SURPUR
National Bird: PEACOCKWHY WAS IT MADE A NATIONAL SYMBOL?The Indian Peafowl, commonly known as the peacock, was selected as the national bird in 1963. It was chosen from among other contende...Image by CHAITANYA DINESH SURPUR
National Aquatic Animal: GANGETIC DOLPHINWHY WAS IT MADE A NATIONAL SYMBOL?In 2009, the Manmohan Singh government notified the Gangetic Dolphin as the national aquatic animal to channel att...Image by CHAITANYA DINESH SURPUR
National Fruit: MANGOWHY WAS IT MADE A NATIONAL SYMBOL?&ldquoMangifera indica, or mango, is a very Indian fruit and adapts itself to all kinds of soil conditions&mdasharid, semi-arid, wetla...Image by CHAITANYA DINESH SURPUR
National River: GANGAWHY WAS IT MADE A NATIONAL SYMBOL?The Ganga is India&rsquos longest river (2,525 km) and is considered the holiest of rivers by Hindus. It was declared a national river...Image by CHAITANYA DINESH SURPUR
Not Quite NationalMahatma GandhiThat man who can be credited with shaping an ideology in post-independent India cannot be dubbed the Father of the Nation. Well, not officially. ...Image by CHAITANYA DINESH SURPUR
