Sengol to be Installed in New Parliament Building | 25 May 2023

Why in News?

On May 28^th 2023, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the new Parliament building, which is part of the Central Vista redevelopment project.

• One of the highlights of the event will be the installation of a historic golden sceptre, called Sengol, near the Speaker’s seat.
• The Sengol is a symbol of India’s independence and sovereignty, as well as its cultural heritage and diversity.

What is the Historical Significance of Sengol?

• The Sengol is profound in meaning, derived from the Tamil word “Semmai”, it means “Righteousness”. It was made of gold or silver and was often decorated with precious stones.
  • A Sengol sceptre was carried by emperors on ceremonial occasions, and used to represent their authority.
• It is associated with the Chola Empire, one of the longest-ruling and most influential dynasties in South India.
  • The Cholas ruled over parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Sri Lanka from the 9^th to 13^th century CE.
  • They were known for their military prowess, maritime trade, administrative efficiency, cultural patronage, and temple architecture.
• The Cholas had a tradition of handing over the Sengol sceptre from one king to another as a mark of succession and legitimacy.
  • The ceremony was usually performed by a high priest or a guru who blessed the new king and conferred him with the Sengol.

How did Sengol Become a Part of India’s Independence?

• Before independence from the British rule in 1947, the then Viceroy - Lord Mountbatten posed a question to the to-be Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru: “What is the ceremony that should be followed to symbolise the transfer of power from British to Indian hands?”
  • PM Nehru then consulted C. Rajagopalachari, commonly known as Rajaji, who went on to become the last Governor-General of India.
    • Rajaji suggested that the Chola model of handing over the Sengol sceptre could be adopted as a suitable ceremony for India’s independence.
    • He said that it would reflect India’s ancient civilisation and culture, as well as its unity in diversity.
  • The Sengol sceptre was presented to PM Nehru by Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam (a 500-year-old Saivaite monastery) on August 14, 1947.
• A golden sceptre was crafted by Vummidi Bangaru Chetty, a famous jeweller in Madras (now Chennai).
  • The Nandi, with its unyielding gaze as the beholder of “Nyaya”, is hand-carved at the top.

Where is Sengol Now and Why is it Being Installed in the New Parliament Building?

• After receiving the Sengol sceptre in 1947, Nehru kept it at his residence in Delhi for some time.
  • He then decided to donate it to Anand Bhavan Museum in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), his ancestral home.
    • The museum was established by his father Motilal Nehru in 1930 to preserve the history and legacy of India’s freedom movement.
  • The Sengol sceptre remained at Anand Bhavan Museum for over seven decades.
• In 2021-22, when the Central Vista redevelopment project was underway, the government decided to revive this historical event and install the Sengol sceptre in the new Parliament building.
  • It will be placed near the Speaker’s seat in the new Parliament building and will be accompanied by a plaque that will explain its history and meaning.
• The installation of Sengol in the new Parliament building is not just a symbolic gesture but also a meaningful message.
  • It signifies that India’s democracy is rooted in its ancient traditions and values and that it is inclusive and respectful of its diversity and plurality.

Source: PIB