The word Sengol derives from the Tamil word “semmai”, which means righteousness. The sceptre is made of gold and silver, and has a Nandi bull on top..
"Sengol" is a golden staff that represents authority and righteousness
in Tamil culture. It was presented to India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal
Nehru, by the Tamil Nadu Adheenams (religious heads) in 1947 to celebrate the
end of British rule. The Sengol has a rich history and significance for the
Tamil people and the nation. In this article, we will explore the origins,
meaning and importance of the Sengol, which was recently placed by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi in the new Parliament building.
Table of Content
- What is Sengol?
- The Origin and Meaning of Sengol
- The Features and Artistry of the Sengol and its Design
- How the Sengol Ceremony on August 14, 1947 Symbolized India’s Independence
- The Sengol and the New Parliament Building
- Reasons and reactions of the installation of the Sengol in the new Parliament building
- Conclusion
- FAQs
What is Sengol?
Sengol is a ceremonial sceptre that has a long and rich history in the
culture and politics of Tamil Nadu. It was used by the ancient Chola kings
to symbolize their authority and righteousness, and it was also presented to
Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of India’s independence as an indication of the shift of power from Britain to India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently
inaugurated the placement of the Sengol near the Speaker's chair in the
newly constructed Parliament building.
The Origin and Meaning of Sengol
The word Sengol derives from the Tamil word “semmai”, which means
righteousness. The sceptre is made of gold and silver, and has a Nandi bull
on top, which represents justice. The sceptre measures five feet in length
and weighs about 10 kg. The Sengol was conceived by a religious
establishment in the Madras province and crafted by two men, Vummidi
Ethirajulu and Vummidi Sudhakar, who are still alive and remember making
it.
The Sengol tradition dates back to the Chola dynasty, which ruled over
parts of South India from the 9th to the 13th century CE. The Chola kings
were known for their military prowess, administrative efficiency, cultural
patronage, and maritime expansion.
They also followed a unique ceremony of transferring power from one king to
another, which involved the handover of the Sengol from the outgoing king to
his successor. The new king would receive the Sengol with an order to rule his subjects
fairly and justly, and to protect the land from enemies. The Sengol was seen
as a sacred symbol of sovereignty and legitimacy.
The Features and Artistry of the Sengol and its Design
The Sengol is a ceremonial sceptre that has a gold and silver layer and a
Nandi bull on top. It is five feet long and weighs about 10 kg. It has a
triangular shape to ensure optimum space utilization. It has elaborate
carvings and patterns that showcase the culture and heritage of Tamil Nadu.
The Sengol was created by the famous jewellers Vummidi Bangaru Chetty in Chennai . They were assigned by the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam, a
500-year-old Saivaite monastery in Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu . The
Adheenam was contacted by C Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General of
India, who proposed the use of the Sengol as a symbol of transfer of power
from the British to India.
How the Sengol Ceremony on August 14, 1947 Symbolized India’s Independence
On August 14, 1947, a historic and symbolic event took place that marked
India’s independence from the British rule. It was the Sengol ceremony,
which was based on the ancient tradition of the Chola kings of Tamil Nadu,
who used the Sengol as a symbol of their authority and righteousness.
The Sengol was a gold and silver sceptre with a Nandi bull on top, which
signified justice. It was five feet long and weighed about 10 kg. It was
made by a famous jeweler Vummidi Bangaru Chetty in the Madras Presidency.
The ceremony was performed by the deputy high priest of Thiruvavaduthurai
Adheenam, a 500-year-old Saivaite monastery, along with a nagaswaram player
Rajarathinam Pillai, and a person who sang divine songs in Tamil temples.
They belonged to the Adhinam of Tamil Nadu, a religious institution that
followed the Saiva Siddhanta tradition of Hinduism.
The ceremony happened at around 10:45 pm at Nehru’s residence in New Delhi .
Nehru received the Sengol from the priests and scholars with respect and
appreciation. He also thanked them for their gesture and praised their
culture and history. He hoped that the Sengol would inspire him and his
successors to rule India with wisdom and justice.
The Sengol was then placed on a table in front of Nehru, who gave his
historic “Tryst with Destiny” speech at midnight. He then raised the
national flag at the Red Fort, announcing India’s independence.
The Sengol ceremony was a way of showing India’s unity and diversity, and a
way of acknowledging the role of Tamil Nadu in the freedom struggle. It was
also a way of celebrating the ancient and glorious heritage of India, and a
way of reminding the new leaders of India of their responsibility and duty.
The Sengol and the New Parliament Building
The Sengol has once again come into the limelight with the inauguration of
the new Parliament building on May 28, 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
along with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, installed the Sengol near the Lok
Sabha Speaker’s chair in the new building.
The Sengol was retrieved from the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, where
it was kept since 1947. Modi said that the Sengol was a reminder of India’s
glorious past and its bright future, and that it would inspire the lawmakers
to uphold the values of democracy and justice. He also said that the Sengol was a symbol of India’s respect for its
regional cultures and traditions, and that it would strengthen the bond
between the Centre and the states.
The Sengol is a unique and valuable artefact that reflects India’s rich and
diverse heritage. It is a testament to the legacy of the Chola kings, who
were among the greatest rulers in Indian history. It is also a witness to
India’s independence, which was achieved through sacrifice and struggle. And
it is a beacon of hope for India’s future, which is based on democracy and
development. The Sengol is more than just a sceptre; it is a symbol of
India’s pride and potential.
Reasons and reactions of the installation of the Sengol in the new Parliament building
The installation of the Sengol in the new Parliament building was a
momentous occasion that occurred on May 28, 2023. The Sengol is a golden rod
that was presented to India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, by the
Tamil Nadu Adheenams (spiritual leaders) to celebrate the end of British
rule in 1947. The Sengol is regarded as a symbol of responsibility, service
and patriotism by the Tamil people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the new Parliament building and placed
the Sengol near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s seat with the approval of the
Adheenam seers . He said that the Sengol in Parliament shows how tradition
and development blend harmoniously, giving more motivation to fulfil
people’s aspirations.
The installation of the Sengol elicited varied responses from different
segments of society. Some applauded the gesture as a sign of esteem and
acknowledgment for the Tamil culture and history. Others denounced it as a
political ploy to attract the Tamil voters before the 2024 general
elections. Some also doubted the genuineness of the Sengol, as it was
reportedly missing for decades and found only recently.
Conclusion
Sengol is a ceremonial sceptre that has a long and rich history in the
culture and politics of Tamil Nadu. It was used by the ancient Chola kings
to symbolize their authority and righteousness, and it was also presented to
Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of India’s independence as an indication of the shift of power from Britain to India.
In the recently constructed Parliament building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed the Sengol near the chair of the Lok Sabha Speaker. Sengol is a
symbol of India’s unity and diversity, and a tribute to the contribution of
Tamil Nadu to the freedom struggle. It is also a reminder of India’s
glorious past and its bright future, and a source of inspiration for the
lawmakers to uphold the values of democracy and justice.
It is also a symbol of India’s respect for its regional cultures and
traditions, and a way of strengthening the bond between the Centre and the
states. Sengol is more than just a sceptre; it is a symbol of India’s pride
and potential.
FAQs
Q: What is Sengol?
A: Sengol is a ceremonial sceptre that was used by the ancient
Chola kings of Tamil Nadu to symbolize their authority and righteousness.
It is made of gold and silver, and has a Nandi bull on top, which
represents justice.
Q: How is Sengol related to India’s independence?
A: Sengol was presented to Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of India’s
independence as a sign of transfer of power from the British to India.
Nehru accepted the Sengol from a group of Tamil priests and scholars, who
represented the Adhinam of Tamil Nadu, a religious institution. The Sengol
was then placed on a table in front of Nehru, who delivered his historic
“Tryst with Destiny” speech and hoisted the national flag.
Q: Where is Sengol now?
A: Sengol was kept in the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library since
1947. Recently, it was installed near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair in the
newly built Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28,
2023.
Q: What is the significance of Sengol in the new Parliament
building?
A: Sengol is a symbol of India’s unity and diversity, and a
tribute to the contribution of Tamil Nadu to the freedom struggle. It is
also a reminder of India’s glorious past and its bright future, and a
source of inspiration for the lawmakers to uphold the values of democracy
and justice. It is also a symbol of India’s respect for its regional
cultures and traditions, and a way of strengthening the bond between the
Centre and the states.
Q: How can I learn more about Sengol?
A: You can learn more about Sengol by reading articles, books, or
watching videos on the history and culture of Tamil Nadu, especially the
Chola dynasty. You can also visit the new Parliament building or the Nehru
Memorial Museum and Library to see the Sengol in person.
Q: Who are the Chola kings and why are they important?
A: The Chola kings were a dynasty of rulers who ruled over parts
of South India from the 9th to the 13th century CE. They are important
because they were among the greatest rulers in Indian history, who
expanded their empire across the Indian Ocean, built magnificent temples
and monuments, patronized arts and literature, and established a strong
administration and navy.
Q: What is the Adhinam of Tamil Nadu and what is its role in the Sengol
ceremony?
A: The Adhinam of Tamil Nadu is a religious institution that
traces its origin to the Saiva Siddhanta tradition of Hinduism. It is
headed by a pontiff called the Madurai Adheenam, who is considered to be
the spiritual successor of the legendary saint Tirujnana Sambandar. The
Adhinam of Tamil Nadu was responsible for conceiving and crafting the
Sengol for Nehru, and also for presenting it to him on behalf of the
people of Tamil Nadu.
Q: How did Nehru react to receiving the Sengol?
A: Nehru was deeply touched and impressed by receiving the Sengol.
He thanked the Adhinam of Tamil Nadu for their gesture and praised their
culture and history. He also expressed his hope that the Sengol would
inspire him and his successors to rule India with wisdom and
justice.
Q: How did Modi decide to install the Sengol in the new Parliament
building?
A: Modi decided to install the Sengol in the new Parliament
building after he learned about its history and significance from Lok
Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who had visited the Nehru Memorial Museum and
Library and seen the Sengol there. Modi felt that the Sengol deserved a
place of honour in the new Parliament building, as it represented India’s
heritage and aspirations.
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