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New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday announced that the historic scepter ‘Sengol’ which was earlier received by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru from the British will be kept inside the new Parliament House. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new building on 28 May. Amit Shah described the historic scepter that marked the transfer of power from the British in 1947 as a major cultural symbol of India’s independence. Shah said that, “Sengol represents the same sentiment that Jawaharlal Nehru felt on August 14, 1947.”
Here are five facts about ‘sengol’:
1. According to historical accounts, C Rajagopalachari approached the religious monastery – Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam in Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu. The leader of the Adhinam immediately started preparations for ‘Sengol’.
central minister @AmitShah Website for Historical Relics Sengol launched. The website constitutes of in-depth information related to Sengol
Watch #freedom festival pic.twitter.com/J2bkfWSRpp
– PIB India (@PIB_India) May 24, 2023
2. The word Sengol is derived from the Tamil word ‘Semmai’, which means ‘righteousness’. It is an Indian civilizational practice of the Chola Empire, which was one of the leading states in the Indian subcontinent for centuries.
Also read: Former PM Nehru got the historic ‘Sengol’ from the British to be installed in the new Parliament
3. According to historical tradition, at the time of coronation, the traditional master of the king’s master handed over the ceremonial scepter to the new ruler.
4. At the time of transfer of power on August 14, 1947, three people were specially brought from Tamil Nadu on August 14, 1947 – the Deputy High Priest of Adhaanam, Nadaswaram player Rajarathinam Pillai and Oduvar (singer) – to be taken to Sengol.
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5. The priests conducted the proceedings. He gave Sengol to Lord Mountbatten and took it back. Sengol was purified with holy water. It was then taken in a procession to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s house, where it was handed over to him. A special song was sung at the direction of the high priest.
