One of the greatest influences on India’s cuisine occurred in the 2nd century B.C. The powerful Emperor Ashoka of that time popularized a vegetarian cuisine. Even today a majority of Indians are vegetarian due to his influence. The two other individuals that helped spread vegetarianism in India are Mahavir and Buddha.
Ashoka was the ruler of the Mauryan Empire from 273 B.C. to 232 B.C. Ashoka was also the first statesman in recorded history that had an environmental department in his administration. This department set environmental laws, posted these laws on stone billboards and had an environmental enforcement program.
Asoka's Lion Pilla emblem was chosen by us to represent India when our rebublic was formed.
Emperor Ashoka had started his rule as a brutal and blood thirsty king and frequently warred against other countries to expand his empire to include most of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and parts of Iran. We choose his emblem because he he conqured his internal demons and devoted his later rule to make the world a better place - with the moral lead that is lacking in most countries, religious leaders and people was the thought. He became kind to other kingdoms, his people, to the amimals in his kingdom and also showed great respect for the environment. He also maintained his empire and extended it by commitee and maintaing a powerful army and negotiating with kingdoms to join his quest to make the world a better place.
We hope this emblem will continue to remind our leaders in India to respect his emblem by making the world a better place and setting an example.
