Patronized learning in the Mauryan empire
was mainly facilitated by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd Century BC.
He created and mainstreamed approximately 85,000 stupas or dome shaped
monuments for the purpose of vastly spreading the teachings of Buddhism.
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These dome shaped monuments were engraved
in and on rocks and large pillars. A commonly mentioned stupa of the
Mauryan Empire is the Sanchi Gate and Stupa which was used for the worship
of Buddhism.
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One of the most famous of these huge
pillars is the famous Asoka Pillar at Sarnath in Madhya Pradesh. This
huge pillar of polished sandstone is symbolic of the hieratic art under
the time of the Mauryan Empire.
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The Indian Republic has adopted the lion capital of the pillar as their official emblem. The Lion had four heads looking in all directions and was
erected at the top of the Asoka pillar..
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The Indian Republic also represent
the
sacred wheel of law or the dharmachakra, symbolic of the first sermon that
Buddha delivered at Sarnath. The dharmachakra is also represented in the flag of India.
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