New Epaulettes For Admirals : Indian Navy
The Indian Navy has unveiled new epaulettes for Admirals, inspired by the naval ensign and Chhatrapati Shivaji’s rajmudra, as part of an initiative to reflect India’s rich maritime heritage and move away from British nomenclature.
- The design features an octagon, a golden navy button top, an Indian sword, a crossed telescope, and stars denoting ranks.
- The earlier epaulettes for the same ranks did have a red backing for the national emblem, but not an octagonal one. Moreover, the button at the top of the epaulette reflected the old crest of the Navy which had a fouled anchor a colonial era vestige.
- The old epaulettes carried a baton and a sword, but new ones carry an Indian sword and a telescope.
- The stars on the new epaulettes are also designed differently than the older ones.
- The new Navy button reflects the new crest, sans the fouled anchor which was a colonial era vestige.
- As per the Navy, the red octagon reflects the eight cardinal directions indicative of an all-round long-term vision.
- It is inspired by the new naval ensign that was unveiled last year and inspired from the Rajmudra of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who had built the massive Maratha Navy which has a rich maritime legacy.
