India adopted a clutch of national symbols—which best represented different aspects of its identity—when it became a republic in 1950. Over the decades, it adopted some more, mostly to help conserve t
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 red, yellow and green strips, was hoisted in Calcutta on August 7, 1906.
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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 in 250 BC.The capital has four Asiatic lions&mdashsymbolising power, courage, pride and confidence&mdashseated on a circular abacus.
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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.
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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 and other parts of the plant,&rdquo writes Thomas Kintaert in On the Cultural Significance of the Leaf of the Indian Lotus.
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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 be the resting place of Lord Krishna.
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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 contenders&mdashincluding the Great Indian Bustard, the Sarus crane, the mythical Garuda, and the swan&mdashbecause of its distribution throughout India.
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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 attention and resources towards conserving the species.
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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, wetlands and so on,&rdquo says Atul Sathe, communications manager, Bombay Natural History Society.
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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 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2008 in order to achieve the objectives of the Ganga Action Plan, initiated by PM Rajiv Gandhi in 1985.
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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.
