Lion Capital of Ashoka elephant, a galloping horse, a bull, and a lion, separated by intervening spoked chariot-wheels. The whole sits upon a bell-shaped lotus. The capital was originally probably crowned by a 'Wheel of Dharma' ("Dharmachakra" popularly known in India as the "Ashoka Chakra"), with 24 spokes, of which a few fragments were found on the site. A 13th-century replica of the Sarnath pillar and capital in Wat Umong near Chiang Mai, Thailand built by King Mangrai, preserves its crowning Ashoka Chakra or Dharmachakra. The wheel on the capital, below the lions, is the model for the one in the flag of India.
Star of India (flag) Blue Ensign was used for military and naval purposes, the Red Ensign was used for representing India in most international events. The Star of India had a sunburst with the words "Heaven's Light Our Guide" around them, and was the badge of the Order of the Star of India, a chivalric order of knighthood. A blue state (government) ensign also existed, and was defaced with a lion holding a Tudor Crown. The Star of India flags were replaced by the Tiranga (Indian Tricolour) after Independence on 15 August 1947 in the independent Dominion of India, and by the Flag of