The Top 5 Logos India Almost Forgot in 2024

The Evolution of Logos in India: Top 5 Designs Almost Forgotten

In the world of branding and advertising, logos play a significant role in representing a company's identity. India has witnessed a plethora of remarkable logo designs over the years. However, as time passes, some of these masterpieces are almost forgotten, overshadowed by newer, trendier creations. Here, we revisit five iconic logos from India that almost slipped into obscurity but are still worth acknowledging for their influential designs.

1. Lal Qila or Red Fort Monument Sign (mid-20th century)

The emblem of the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Delhi, features a golden double-headed Eagle with the Mughal crown in its talons. This vintage emblem was used from the reign of Shah Jahan, the emperor who commissioned the Red Fort's construction. Although its design has undergone several modifications, the emblem's essence remains faithful to the period.

The Symbolism

The double-headed eagle, a traditional emblem of the Mughal Empire, represents power and royalty. The crown, signifying the apex of imperial authority, is a central element in Mughal art and architecture. The Red Fort's emblem, therefore, encapsulates the rich cultural heritage of the Mughal dynasty.

2. Britannia Mascot (early 20th century)

Britannia, the mythical goddess of Great Britain, has been a recognizable symbol of the country since the late 18th century. In India, this image resonated with the British Raj. The Company of Marshalls produced a poster featuring Britannia's benevolent depiction during the Indian Independence Movement. Although Britannia continues to be used as a symbol of Britain, its Indian connection is less discussed.

The Influence on Indian Graphic Design

During the colonial era, British-inspired designs had a significant impact on Indian graphic design. The depiction of Britannia is a classic example of how European art and architecture influenced Indian visual identity. The poster serves as a reminder of the historical ties between these two nations, focusing on the cultural exchange pertinent to the subcontinent's design history.

3. Meeti Beverages' Logo (1960s)

Meeti Beverages, a popular cold-drink brand from Mumbai, used a vibrant and charming logo featuring a cartoonized tricycle with a cold drink bottle prominently displayed. This logo has been a part of India's nostalgic consumer culture due to its memorable design. Although it has undergone updates, the original charm has endured.

Annals of Vintage Packaging

Meeti Beverages' tricycle logo belongs to the golden era of Indian packaging. Its cartoonish essence reflects the innocence and playfulness associated with childhood memories of consuming these cold drinks during India's pre-corporate era. Historically, Meeti's logo is a representation of the optimism aimed towards growing a small, homegrown brand into a household name.

4. Eagle Stables' Logo (1920s)

Eagle Stables, a remnants of a bygone era, was amongst the notable horse riding schools in pre-independence India. The logo featured an eagle standing on a horseback, highlighting the school's focus on rigorous equestrian training. Although the facility has long ceased operations, the logo remains a tangible remnant of the era's equestrian culture.

The Birth of Equestrian Sports in India

The image of an eagle riding a horse is a strong metaphor for the fusion of strength and agility that the sport of horse riding embodies. As the first organized stables to introduce horse riding in India, Eagle Stables played a pivotal role in propagating the sport among the Indians. The school was instrumental in laying down the groundwork for modern equestrian sports, an essential part of India's current sporting scene.

5. Amul's 'Tone the Goat' Mascot (1950s)

Amul, the popular Indian dairy brand, used a cartoon character named Dr. Verghese Kurien, co-founder of Amul, as the mascot but eventually adopted 'Tone the Goat' to represent their Gir cow milk. Toned down and with various facial expressions, the memorable mascot was instrumental in turning the brand into an Indian icon.

Tone – The Mascot's Purpose

The inclusion of Tone, a lovable goats in characteristic poses, empowering the viewer to relate dairy products directly to rural and bovine India combined with the image of Labouring farmers. 'Tone' identified the dairy products as embodying essential symbolism of the India of an agrarian and pastoral society.

Why Retrospecting these Logos Matters

Logos evolve with a company and demonstrate the design abilities of the period in which it was produced. Although historic logotypes are overshadowed by the continuously emerging patterns, they shape the historical canvas as distinctive portraits of an era's commercial identity. These emblematic murals significantly enrich our understanding, beauty or otherwise, of history.

Contact Cpluz at info@cpluz.com or visit cpluz.com for professional logo design and branding solutions that echo innovation and tradition as one.