An ancient scepter, ‘Sengol,’ which signified the transfer of sovereignty from the Britishers in 1947, will be put in the new Parliament building as a key cultural emblem of India’s independence, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday.
‘Sengol’ is a historic heritage sign employed by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on August 14, 1947, when authority was transferred from the British.
“On the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, PM Modi will dedicate the new Parliament to the nation,” Amit Shah said at a news conference here. It demonstrates his foresight in certain ways. This is a lovely attempt to reconcile our cultural heritage, tradition, and civilization with modernity.
Home Minister Amit Shah while addressing the media told “On the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, PM Modi will dedicate the new Parliament to the nation. In a way, it shows his far-sightedness. This is a beautiful attempt to merge our cultural legacy, tradition and civilization with modernity. Around 60,000 people worked on the construction of this building in record time. The PM will also honor them.”
The Home Minister further stated that a historical incident is being resurrected on this occasion. The medieval scepter known as ‘Sengol’ will be housed in the new Parliament building.
“A historical event is being revived on this occasion. The historic scepter, ‘Sengol’, will be placed in the new Parliament building. It was used on August 14, 1947, by PM Nehru when the transfer of power took place from the British. Out of all the promises made by PM Modi for ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, one promise was respect and regeneration of our historic traditions,” Shah stated.
Home Minister went on to say, “The historic incident is from August 14, 1947. It is called Sengol in Tamil, the meaning of this word is full of wealth There is a tradition behind this associated with ages. Sengol had played an important role in our history. When PM Modi got information about this, a thorough investigation was done. Then it was decided that it should be put before the country. For this, the day of the inauguration of the new Parliament House was chosen.”
Lord Mountbatten and PM Nehru decided ‘Sengol’ as a symbol for transfer of power
The Home Minister recalled the momentous occasion, saying that ‘Sengol’ was chosen as the emblem of power transfer after extensive investigation. “When the time for transfer of power came, Lord Mountbatten who was the Viceroy asked former PM Nehru about what should be the symbol of transfer of power to the country as per the Indian traditions. Nehru discussed the issue with freedom fighter and avid historic scholar C Rajagopalachari. He (Rajagopalachari) after doing an intensive historic research said that as per the Indian traditions, ‘Sengol’ has been marked as the symbol of historic transfer,” Home Minister Amit Shah said.
“Based on this, Nehru accepted the Sengol from Adheenam, who were specially brought from Tamil Nadu. Thus, the power was transferred to the Indian hands. It is a realization that the power came back to the Indians in a traditional method. Nehru accepted the ‘Sengol’ in the presence Dr Rajendra Prasad and many others. Nehru’s aim was emotional unity and academic integration. The event was widely reported in media and even in foreign countries.” he said.
Historical reports suggest that C Rajagopalachari contacted the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam Dharmic Mutt in Tamil Nadu’s Tanjore area. The Adheenam chief instantly ordered that the ‘Sengol’ be prepared.
Sengol is derived from the Tamil word ‘Semmai,’ which means “righteousness.” It is an Indic civilizational practice from the Chola monarchy, which for ages was one of the prominent kingdoms in the Indian subcontinent.
Historically, at the occasion of enthronement, the traditional guru of the King’s preceptor would deliver the ceremonial Sceptre to the new monarch. Three persons were particularly flown in from Tamil Nadu on August 14, 1947, at the power transfer: the Deputy High Priest of the Adheenam, the Nadaswaram musician Rajarathinam Pillai, and the Oduvar (singer) bearing the Sengol.
The clergymen presided over the proceedings. They handed Lord Mountbatten the Sengol and then took it back. Holy water was used to cleanse the Sengol. It was then carried in procession to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s residence and handed over to him. As directed by the high priest, a unique song was performed.
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