In the Mahabharata, there is the story that the sun-god invented the footwear, and the parasol, to protect people's feet from getting burnt on the ground heated by the summer sun. Sages were angry with the sun as their wives were complaining and were planning to take away the sun's heat. In art, the sun-god is shown wearing boots up to the knee. This was introduced to India by Kushan kings about 2,000 years ago.

When we talk of footwear, one of the most famous stories we get is of Ram. Ram goes to the forest in exile. His stepmother demands that her son should be king of Ayodhya instead. Ram goes to the forest without remorse or regret. His brother, Bharat, however, on learning that the kingdom has been given to him through his mother's political manipulations, rejects the kingdom. He goes to Ram, and insists that he returns and becomes king. Ram says that he has given his word to his father that he will live in the forest for 14 years. Therefore, Bharat insists that Ram should symbolically be seen as the king of Ayodhya. Bharat will manage his kingdom, in his absence, as regent. To symbolically represent him, he asks Ram to give his footwear. Therefore, Ram agrees. Bharat brings the footwear to Ayodhya and places the sandals on the royal throne.