Among the following combinations of animals, the figures of which animals actually appear in the State Emblem of India derived from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of a key national symbol, the State Emblem of India. The emblem is adapted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath and includes several animal figures symbolising different values. Understanding which animals appear on the official emblem helps with questions about national identity, history and art in competitive examinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the State Emblem of India as actually used on official documents.
• The emblem is derived from the Lion Capital with four lions and a circular base showing additional animals.
• The options list different combinations of animals: bull, deer, eagle, elephant, tiger, horse and bull.
• We assume the question asks about the animals visible on the base of the emblem below the lions in the stylised version.

Concept / Approach:
The original Lion Capital of Ashoka features four lions back to back on top of a circular abacus (base). On this abacus are carvings of four animals: an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion, separated by Dharma Chakra wheels. In the State Emblem of India, three lions are visible and, below them, a wheel is flanked on either side by a galloping horse on the left and a bull on the right. The elephant and the additional lion do not appear in the simplified emblem design used on official papers. Therefore, among the given combinations, the pair horse and bull correctly reflects the animals shown on the emblem.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Visualise the State Emblem of India: three visible lions standing on a circular abacus with a wheel and two animals below. Step 2: Recall that on the base of the emblem, the left side shows a horse and the right side shows a bull, with a Dharma Chakra in the centre. Step 3: Examine option D, horse and bull, which matches this exact description. Step 4: Compare other options, which include animals like deer, eagle, elephant and tiger that do not appear together in the official emblem design. Step 5: Select horse and bull as the correct combination for the State Emblem of India.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by looking at any official document such as an Indian passport or a government letterhead, where the State Emblem is displayed. You will clearly see the two animals on the base of the emblem: a galloping horse on one side and a bull on the other, separated by the Dharma Chakra. Textbooks on civics and history also provide diagrams labeling these animals, confirming that horse and bull are the ones present in the emblem used by the Republic of India.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Bull, deer and eagle is incorrect because a deer and an eagle are not part of the emblem design.
Deer and elephant is incorrect since while an elephant appears on the original capital abacus, a deer does not, and this combination does not match the stylised emblem.
Elephant, tiger and bull is incorrect because a tiger is not part of the emblem, and all three together do not represent the base panel.
Lion and elephant is incorrect for the base combination; lions appear at the top and an elephant appears on the original column, but this pair is not the one shown flanking the wheel in the official emblem.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is confusion between the full archaeological Lion Capital and the simplified State Emblem. Students may recall that the original capital has elephant, bull, horse and lion on the abacus and then incorrectly select a combination including elephant or lion for the bottom pair. To avoid this, remember that the modern emblem focuses on three lions at the top and only two animals on the base, specifically a horse and a bull flanking the central wheel.

Final Answer:
In the State Emblem of India, the pair of animal figures shown on the base are the horse and bull.