The Chola Sengol Tradition

Subject : History

Section: Art and Culture

Concept :

The New Parliament to house Sceptre (Sengol) that ssymbolised transfer of Power on 1947.

Historical Significance of the Sengol:

The sceptre is a historical symbol of Independence as it signifies the transfer of power from the British to the Indians.
Sengol’s origin can be traced back to the Chola dynasty of South India, one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the world.
During Chola’s rule the power was transferred in the presence of a priest, and it was sanctified with Sengol that would remind the king to rule with justice.
The Sengol in Tamil Nadu state is also taken as a mark of heritage and tradition, serving as an integral part of various cultural events, festivals, and significant ceremonies.

The Transfer of Power Ceremony of 1947:

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”.
C Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General of India, told Nehru about a ceremony performed during the Chola dynasty, in which the transfer of power from one king to the other was sanctified and blessed by high priests.
“The symbol (for the transfer of power) used was the handover of the ‘Sengol’ from one King to his successor.
Rajagopalachari was tasked with the responsibility of arranging a sceptre. He reached out to Thiruvaduthurai Atheenam, a well-known mutt in Tamil Nadu’s Tanjore district, and its leader commissioned the manufacturing of the Sengol to Chennai-based “Vummidi Bangaru Chetty” jewellers.
The Sengol was constructed by two men Vummidi Ethirajulu and Vummidi Sudhakar.
During the ceremony, which took place on August 14, 1947, a priest gave the sceptre to Lord Mountbatten and then took it back. It was then “taken in procession to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru’s house, where it was handed over to him.
A special song known as Kolaru Padhigam which was composed by the 7th century Tamil saint Tirugnana Sambandar was rendered during the event.
The cermony was also attended by Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India.