Sengol

Context:

At the inauguration of the new Parliament House, PM Modi will establish the historical and sacred “Sengol” in the Parliament House.

Image Source: The Indian Express

About Sengol:

The name Sengol is derived from the Tamil word “Semmai”, meaning Righteousness.
It is a sceptre which was given by the British to India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to represent the transfer of power in 1947.
According to an official document — the sceptre is a significant historical symbol of Independence as it signifies the transfer of power from the British to the Indians.
The sceptre measures five feet in length and has a ‘Nandi’ bull on top, symbolising justice.

Why was the Sengol given to Nehru?

According to the official document, just before Independence, Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, asked Nehru about the ceremony that should be followed to symbolise the transfer of power from British to Indian hands.
The symbol (for the transfer of power) used was the handover of the ‘Sengol’ from one King to his successor.
It added that the newly crowned ruler would be given the Sengol with an order to rule his subjects fairly and justly in a ceremony performed during the Chola dynasty.

How was the Sengol made?

Rajagopalachari, also known as Rajaji, was tasked with the responsibility of arranging a sceptre.
Subsequently, he reached out to Thiruvaduthurai Atheenam, a well-known mutt in Tamil Nadu’s Tanjore district, for help and its leader commissioned the manufacturing of the Sengol to Chennai-based “Vummidi Bangaru Chetty” jewellers, as per the official document.
It is constructed by two men — Vummidi Ethirajulu and Vummidi Sudhakar.