Chola Sengol [UPSC Notes]

A sacred sceptre that was handed to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of Independence to mark the transfer of power from the British is to be placed in the Parliament. This sceptre is the Chola dynasty’s Sengol. This is an important piece of news item relevant to the IAS prelims exam.

Image: Sengol

Source: Zoomnews

What is Sengol?

The ‘Sengol’ is basically a sceptre. Sengol originates back to the Chola dynasty of South India, one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the world. 

• The ‘Sengol’ was received by Independent India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to symbolically represent the transfer of power from the British. After that, it was kept in a museum in Allahabad.
• The sacred “sengol” was a symbol of just and fair rule and had been used to mark the transfer of power from one king to another in the Chola dynasty.
  • The sceptre is five feet in height and features a Nandi or bull on the top, which will be installed near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s podium for all to see.
• Made of silver and plated in gold, the sceptre has been preserved at Allahabad Museum till now.
• The most important thing is that there is an expectation of just and fair rule by the one who receives the sengol. 
• The “sacred sengol ceremony” took place on August 14, just before Pandit Nehru’s famous “Tryst of Destiny” speech at midnight.
• It is a symbol that governance should be just, as per policies and on the path of duty. This will send a message to the public and elected representatives

Chola Sengol [UPSC Notes]:- Download PDF Here