UPSC Mains 2022 GS Paper 1 Q13: model answer
Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art, and architecture.
What the question wants
Discuss the significance of lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture.
How to structure it
Discuss both animals across all three domains.
- Early art
- The lion
- The bull
- Continuity today
How to think it through
This looks easy until you start writing. Use a grid: lion means power, sovereignty and the Buddha's voice; bull means fertility, strength, dharma and Shiva's Nandi. Then trace both from Harappan seals to Ashokan capitals to temples. Bonus: the lion capital sits on every currency note in your wallet. Finally, a question you can check by looking in your pocket.
Model answer
Lions and bulls appear in Indian art from the Harappan seals to the national emblem, carrying layered meanings.
Early art
- Harappan seals show the humped bull (zebu), suggesting strength and fertility.
- Ashokan pillars: the Sarnath lion capital, adopted as the State Emblem in 1950, and the Rampurva bull capital, now at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The lion
- Mythology: the mount of Durga; Vishnu's Narasimha avatar; the Buddha as Shakyasimha, whose teaching is the 'lion's roar'.
- Art and architecture: Pallava lion pillars at Mahabalipuram and Kanchi; yali figures on South Indian temples; the simhasana or lion throne.
The bull
- Mythology: Nandi, Shiva's mount and devotee; the emblem of Rishabhanatha, the first Jain tirthankara; dharma pictured as a bull in the Puranas.
- Art and architecture: monolithic Nandis at Lepakshi, Thanjavur and Chamundi Hill, Mysuru; Nandi mandapas facing the sanctum.
In Buddhism and Jainism
- The Sarnath capital has four lions facing the cardinal directions and a bull, elephant, horse and lion on the abacus, symbolising the Buddha's life.
- The lion is the emblem of Mahavira.
Political symbols
- The lion symbolised royal authority on Gupta coins (lion-slayer type of Chandragupta II).
- Mughal and Rajput paintings show kings hunting lions, the hunt itself a display of sovereignty.
- The bull Nandi stands guard at temple entrances from Khajuraho to Thanjavur, a reminder that devotion begins at the threshold.
Modern use
- The lion emblem appears on currency and passports; the new Parliament's bronze emblem (2022) sparked debate on its expression.
The verdict
The lion stands for sovereignty and spiritual power, the bull for fertility, strength and dharma. Their journey from seals to the State Emblem shows the continuity of Indian symbolism.
Draw: 2×3 grid: lion and bull × mythology, art, architecture.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
Harappan zebu seal, Sarnath lion capital, Rampurva bull, Nandi, Narasimha, Shakyasimha, yali, Rishabhanatha.
Where most answers lose marks
- Writing only about the State Emblem.
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Question text as printed in the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) question paper. The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.
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