University of Pune’s historic emblem is 61 years old

Interesting facts about the University of Pune’s (UoP) lotus-shaped emblem highlighting the importance of knowledge, valour and action, are being brought to light again with the emblem entering its 62nd year last week.

Carrying the motto, ‘Where actions prove knowledge’, the emblem was developed by a student, Madhav Parashuram Dixit, in 1948 when the decision to set up the university was taken.

According to the book, History Of The University of Pune, written by professor and head of the interdisciplinary school of humanities and social sciences, Raja Dixit, UoP was formed on February 10, 1949, and the emblem prepared two years prior to that.

“The emblem officially came into existence after it was approved by the then executive council of the university on May 19, 1950. Its use, however, started a couple of years before that,” he said.

The emblem depicts the historic Shaniwarwada with a saffron flag on its top, the Raigad fort, Parvati temple, two crossed swords, a book, a pen, a pair of horses and a motto in Sanskrit, ‘Yaa Kriyavaan Sa Pandit’ (Where actions prove knowledge).

The year ‘1948’ on the emblem is shown in Hindu and Gregorian calendars. Speaking on why the emblem displays 1948 instead of the foundation year of the university, 1949, Dixit explained that 1948 is the year work on the emblem began after an announcement was made about setting up of the university.

According to Dixit, although he devoted a couple of pages to the emblem, he is unaware of the reasons for selecting the symbols in the emblem.

While Shaniwarwada represents the seat of the Maratha power under the Peshwas, the book and pen are symbols of education and the swords stand for valour, he said.

He said historian, Datto Waman Potdar, wanted the motto in Marathi, it was finally decided to carry it in Sanskrit, he said. The emblem is archived in the university’s Jaykar Library.