Explanation:

Let's examine the sentence and the options:

- "The emergence of a sovereign Indian nation was ________ on the notion of equality."

1. Promised: Suggests something that has been pledged or assured. While nations can promise equality, this doesn't fit the sentence structure.

2. Looked: This word refers to seeking or observing, which doesn't logically fill the blank when referring to the foundation of a nation.

3. Premised: This means based or founded upon. It fits perfectly here, implying that the emergence of the nation was based on the idea of equality.

4. Depend: This word requires a different structure to fit grammatically, like "dependent on."

Thus, the best choice is option 3, "premised," as it accurately reflects the idea that the nation's founding was based on equality.

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