Prerequisite Knowledge
The Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath is divided into three major parts:
The Pillar
The Lion Capital
The 32-Spoked Wheel
Importantly, there were two types of wheels associated with the pillar:
24-spoked wheel – engraved on the abacus of the Lion Capital.
32-spoked wheel – once placed on the very top of the Lion Capital (fragments found in excavations, preserved in the Sarnath Museum).
The pillar was built around 250 BCE at the site where the Buddha gave his first sermon. The Chinese traveler Xuanzang, visiting in the 7th century CE, described the pillar as “smooth as jade and reflective as a mirror.”
This diagram provides a rough idea of what the pillar might have looked like when Xuanzang visited India during the reign of Harsha Varman, also known as Harshavardhana.
A. The Pillar
The fragments of the Ashoka Pillar are preserved in a glass showcase at Sarnath.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ashoka Pillar
When was the Ashoka Pillar built?
What was the purpose of establishing the Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath?
In which language is the warning of Emperor Ashoka written?
Who discovered the Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath?
When and how were the Ashoka Pillar, the Lion Capital, and the 32-spoked wheel discovered?
What is the Ashoka Pillar made of?
Is the description of the Ashoka Pillar found in history?
1. Built around 250 BCE by Emperor Ashoka at Sarnath, the site of Buddha’s first sermon.
2. Purpose: To warn monks and nuns against divisive tendencies within Buddhism.
3. Inscription language: Prakrit, written in Brahmi script.
4. Discovery: Excavated in 1904–1905 near Dhamek Stupa.
5. Discoverer: F. O. Ortel led the archaeological excavations.
6. Material: Made of Chunar sandstone, 40 km from Varanasi.
7. Historical testimony: Xuanzang (627–643 CE) praised its brilliance, calling it a shining pillar “over 70 feet tall.”
The Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath stands as one of the finest examples of Mauryan craftsmanship and imperial vision. Built around 250 BCE by Emperor Ashoka, it was erected at the sacred site where the Buddha delivered his first sermon.
More than a monument, the pillar carried a moral purpose: to warn monks and nuns against divisions within the Buddhist community and to uphold the unity of the Dhamma.
The inscription, written in Prakrit using the Brahmi script, still echoes this message today.
Carved from polished Chunar sandstone, the pillar reflects the sophistication of Mauryan artistry, boasting a smooth, mirror-like finish.
During his travels in the 7th century CE, the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang described it as rising over seventy feet high, “smooth as jade and reflective as a mirror,” a testimony to its grandeur.
Rediscovered during the 1904–1905 excavations led by F. O. Ortel, the pillar continues to inspire awe and reverence.
B. The Lion Capital
Lion Capital was found in the archaeological excavation of Sarnath in 1905.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Lion Capital
Where is the Lion Capital currently kept?
What do the 4 Asiatic lions of the Lion Capital roaring in all four directions symbolize?
Why are the four lions shown in an aggressive posture in the Lion Capital?
When was the Lion Capital accepted as the National Emblem of India?
Why did the committee choose the Lion Capital as the national symbol of India?
How is the Lion Capital a symbol of India’s glorious history and culture?
Which animals are depicted on the abacus at the base of the Lion Capital?
How many wheels are there on the abacus?
What do the animals on the Lion Capital represent?
What do the four wheels with 24 spokes engraved between the animals on the abacus symbolize?
8. Current location: Archaeological Museum, Sarnath.
9. Four lions: Facing four directions, symbolizing the spread of Buddha’s teachings.
1O. Aggressive posture: Reflects Ashoka’s warning and authority.
11. National emblem: Adopted as India’s emblem on 26 January 1950.
12. Chosen as a symbol: Reflected peace, coexistence, and India’s cultural depth.
13. Cultural significance: Witness to India’s history, a masterpiece of Mauryan art.
14. Animals on the abacus: Lion, bull, horse, elephant.
15. Wheels on the abacus: Four wheels with 24 spokes, between the animals.
16. Symbolism of animals:
- Lion → Shakyasimha (lion of the Shakya clan)
- Elephant → Buddha’s conception dream (Queen Maya)
- Horse → Royal power & Buddha’s renunciation
- Bull → Buddha’s birth sign (Taurus)
17. 24-spoked wheel meaning: Represents the twenty-four teachings of Buddhism; also appears on India’s national flag.
The Lion Capital of Ashoka, now preserved in the Archaeological Museum at Sarnath, is widely regarded as the finest achievement of Mauryan sculpture.
Carved from a single block of polished Chunar sandstone, it features four majestic lions seated back-to-back, facing the four cardinal directions.
This design symbolizes the universal spread of the Buddha’s teachings. Their assertive posture also reflects Emperor Ashoka’s authority and reinforces the warning inscribed on the pillar below.
The abacus at the base carries rich symbolism: a lion, a bull, a horse, and an elephant—each linked to key moments in Buddha’s life and teachings. Between these animals are four wheels, each with twenty-four spokes, representing the eternal cycle of the Dharma.
This same wheel later inspired the Ashoka Chakra on India’s national flag. Adopted as India’s national emblem on 26 January 1950, the Lion Capital embodies peace, coexistence, and the cultural continuity of India’s timeless heritage.
C. WHEEL OF THE MORAL LAW (32-spoke wheel )
Frequently Asked Questions about the WHEEL OF THE MORAL LAW
18. Where is the thirty-two-spoked wheel kept at present?
19. What does the wheel with 32 spokes represent?
20. How does the Ashoka Pillar reflect the tendencies of the artists of that period?
Present location: Fragments preserved at Sarnath Museum.
Meaning: Represents 32 Mahapurush Lakshan (characteristics of great beings) in Buddhist literature.
Artistic significance: The pillar reflects the high artistic skills and spiritual symbolism of Mauryan craftsmanship.
The fragments of the 32-spoked wheel of the Ashoka Pillar are today preserved in the Sarnath Museum.
Though only remains survive, their meaning is profound. In Buddhist literature, this wheel represents the 32 Mahapurush Lakshan, the noble characteristics of great beings like the Buddha.
It is not just a broken piece of stone but a symbol of deep spiritual wisdom. The design also highlights the artistic brilliance of Mauryan craftsmen, who blended art with philosophy. Even in its incomplete form, the wheel continues to inspire, reminding us of India’s ancient tradition where faith, art, and knowledge were one.
For detailed information on Ashoka Pillar please visit: https://nithinks.com/2021/11/22/ashokan-pillar-its-history-and-importance/
Thank you for the interesting details important to those interested in history of India.
Joanna
I’ve never heard of the Ashoka Pillar Lion Capital but what’s written here makes a great deal of sense. It sounds like the Emperor Ashoka was the Buddhist equivalent of the Emperor Constantine the Great in the Roman Empire who was concerned about emerging divisions in Christianity and therefore called the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Ashoka erected a pillar with a warning.