The interesting story behind the ‘Sengol’ to be installed in the new Parliament…!
‘Sengol’ is going to be installed near the Speaker’s seat in the new Parliament building. Union Home Minister Amit Shah revealed that Prime Minister Modi himself will consecrate the ‘Sengol’ at the Lok Sabha Speaker’s seat after inaugurating the new Parliament building. So, what is this ‘Sengol’, where did it come from, and what is the story behind it? Now, let’s know certain interesting historical facts about ‘Sengol’…
The Sengol ‘scepter’ has historical significance. This Sengol is an indicator of the transfer of power between the Indians and the British. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, received such Sengol for the first time. The word ‘Sengol’ is derived from the Tamil word ‘Semmai‘. It means Dharma in Tamil.
This is the reason for the establishment of ‘Sengol’..!
The British were all set to declare India’s independence. At that time, the then British Viceroy Lord Mountbatten discussed with Jawaharlal Nehru. During that discussion, Mountbatten revealed that the British are going to transfer the powers to India…and opined that if that ‘transfer of powers’ can be identified with some special identity…then that would be of great significance. This information made Nehru think about this issue.
Meanwhile, Nehru sought the advice of the then Governor General of India, Rajagopal Chari on the proposal of Mountbatten. At that moment Rajagopala Chari informed Nehru, that in the Chola dynasty…whenever someone takes over the reins of the kingdom, the new Chola King shall receive the ‘scepter’ and then the king ascends the throne. With this information, Rajagopala Chari suggested that since India is also getting independent from the British and starting self-rule, it would be good if we also follow the same tradition of our nation. Then Nehru had a discussion with Mountbatten on the same and explained to him the historic importance of the ‘scepter’ in our country…and thus the decision has been arrived at.
Then Rajagopala Chari visited a ‘Matha’ in Thiruvaduthuraai, Madras to get ‘Sengol’ made. There they discussed this matter with the ‘Mathadhipathis’. Based on what Rajagopala Chari said, the ‘Mathadhipathis’ summoned a goldsmith and got the ‘Sengol’ made out.
This Sengol stands five feet long. On the top of the ‘Sengol’, Nandi is carved as a symbol of justice. It was purified in Ganga water and brought to Delhi by a special Government vehicle. Then on 15th August 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru received this ‘Sengol’ from Mountbatten.
This royal ‘scepter’ is currently kept in a museum in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. It will be installed in the New Parliament building on 28th May 2023, during the inauguration ceremony of the New Parliament building. Amit Shah said that placing ‘Sengol’ in the new Parliament building will be ‘symbolic’ like handing over India’s cultural heritage to the new generation. Amit Shah was all in praise for the construction of the new Parliament building as an example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foresight.