What is Sengol? Story Behind Sengol
What is Sengol?
Sengol is a scepter, which was used to transfer power to the new successor in the Chola Empire. In the Chola Empire, when a king declared his new successor, he used to hand over the Sengol scepter as a symbol to that new successor.
In Tamil Nadu which is in South India, the Sengol Scepter is considered a symbol of fair and Good Rule Government.
Sengol and New Parliament House Relation
Let us tell you that as a symbol of fair and justice-loving rule, it will now be established in the new Parliament House of India. Sengol will be installed next to the Speaker’s seat in the newly constructed Parliament House. The installation of Sengol in the new Parliament House will revive India’s thousand-year-old tradition.
The history of Sengol is not limited only to the Chola dynasty empire, but some historians consider its use during the Maurya and Gupta dynasty apart from the Chola Empire.
Meaning of Sengol
The word Sengol is derived from the Tamil word ‘Semmai’ which means religion, truth, and loyalty. In some sense, the meaning of the word Sengol is also considered to be rich. The meaning of Sengol in English is Righteousness, which in Hindi means ethics. Not only this but many times the meaning of the word Sengol is also applied to splendor, wealth, prosperity, impartiality, and justice-loving rule.
Sengol is a scepter used for the transfer of power and authority. In the Tamil language, the word Sengol is used for this capital punishment, although its origin is believed to be from the Tamil language word Semmai.
History of Sengol
The history of Sengol in India is several thousand years old. The history of Sengol begins with the Chola dynasty of India. It is said that when there was a transfer of power during the Chola Empire, the outgoing king handed over the Sengol scepter to his successor as a symbol of the transfer of power.
An anecdote of India’s independence is also associated with Sengol’s modern history.
This Sengol scepter was handed over to India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru as a symbol of India’s independence, sovereignty, and transfer of power during independence. During the country’s independence, Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, was completing the paperwork for the transfer of power. During this, the question came to his mind what would be the symbol of India’s independence and its transfer of power?
Jawaharlal Nehru ji had no answer for this. That is why he took this question of Lord Mountbatten to the former Governor General of India Shri Chakravarti Rajagopalachari.
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, who belonged to South India, had a good knowledge of India’s cultural and historical heritage. That’s why he put the suggestion of Sengol Scepter in front of him.
In South India and Tamil Nadu, the Sengol scepter is still considered a symbol of fair and just rule with the power of authority.
How Sengol Became a Symbol of India’s Independence
According to the suggestion of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari ji, a golden Sengol was made by the jeweler and Nandi was made to sit on the top. For your information, let us tell you that the Sengol scepter is given by Rajguru only during the transfer. That is why Chakravarti Rajagopalachari gave the responsibility to Mahasannidhanam Srilasri Ambalavana Desigar Swamiji, the 20th Guru of Thiruvaduthurai. It is said that during that time his health was bad but he took up this responsibility.
After being prepared, this scepter was sent to Lord Mountbatten by the Rajaguru of Thiruvaduthurai Math.
It is said that this golden Sengol scepter was handed over to the Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru by the people of Tamil Nadu around midnight on 14 August 1947. Since then this Sengol scepter became a symbol of India’s independence and the transfer of power to India by the British.
Which jeweler made Sengol?
The construction work of the Sengol Scepter was entrusted to the famous jeweler of Chennai, Wummidi Bangaru Chetty. According to information available on the internet, this golden Sengol was prepared by Vummidi Bangaru in less than a month.
Two members of Vummidi Bangaru’s family involved in the construction of this Sengol are still alive. Vummidi Ethirajulu who is 96 years old and Vummidi Sudhakar who is 88 years old are still alive. According to media reports, both of these members will attend the Sengol installation ceremony at the inauguration of the new Parliament House on 28 May 2023.
Nandi sits on the figure of Sengol
Lord Shiva’s vehicle Nandi has been enshrined on Sengol. The people of South India and Tamil Nadu believe that Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva, is a symbol of fair justice and good governance.
Sengol is a scepter in the shape of a rod, it is a symbol of the royal power of the empire. The Sengol which was handed over to Jawaharlal Nehru ji is about 5 feet in length. Now it will be picked up from the Sengol Museum and handed over to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and installed next to the speaker’s seat in the new Parliament House of India.
Where was Sengol kept?
According to the information provided by the Indian Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah, the Sengol scepter was still preserved in the Anand Bhawan Museum in Prayagraj.
When Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi came to know about this Raj Dand, he got it investigated and during this time all this information related to Sengol was found.
Sengol was handed over to PM Modi before the inauguration of the new Parliament House On 27 May 2023, 1 day before the inauguration of the new Parliament House. The sacred Sengol scepter, a symbol of ethics, fairness, and justice, was handed over to the respected Prime Minister of India, respected Shri Narendra Modi.
On 28 May 2023, this Sengol scepter will be installed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the newly constructed Parliament House of India.
Sengol Scepter will be installed in the new Parliament House (Sengol In Parliament Of India)-
For your information, let us tell you that this Sengol scepter will be installed next to the speaker’s chair along with the inauguration of the new parliament building on 28 May 2023.
The main purpose of its establishment is to publish historical and cultural importance and to revive thousands of years old traditions.
Today, through this article, we have shared with you much important information related to what is Sengol Scepter. I hope you have liked this article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Sengol?
Sengol is a scepter that was considered a symbol of state power in the Chola Empire and was handed over to the new successor during the transfer of power.
What does Sengol look like?
Sengol’s height is 5 feet. It is a punitive scepter that was given to the new heir to the throne.
Who made Sengol?
Sengol was created by renowned jeweler Vummidi Bangaru Chetty from Chennai.
Where will Sengol be brought?
Sengol will be installed in the new Parliament House of India.
When will the new Parliament House of India be inaugurated?
The new Parliament House of India will be inaugurated on 28 May 2023.
The practice of Sengol transfer is associated with which dynasty?
The practice of Sengol transfer is associated with the Chola dynasty.
When was Sengol given to Jawaharlal Nehru?
On the night of 14 August 1947, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru ji accepted Sengol by the people of Tamil Nadu.