SENGOL - HISTORY AND EVOLUTION

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 SENGOL- HISTORY AND EVOLUTION

 

What's sengol:

           "Sengol" is a generic term for sceptre. The sengol name is derived from the Tamil word "Semmai" and means "Righteousness". It symbolizes legitimacy and succession. Sengol is regarded as a representation of justice, the handover of power and sound government. The sengol represented that tradition of the Dharma Danda(in Sanskrit). Dharma means sense of social order Danda means authority.

Make of sengol: 

Sengol is five feet tall sceptre, made of silver and is covered with gold adorned with priceless stones, topped with a Nandi or Bull. It symbolizes terrific brute power tempered by compassion and justice.

Significance of  Sengol:      

One of the longest reigning dynasties in History, the Chola dynasty of south India, is where sengol first appeared. It symbolizes justice and equality governance. During the Chola Dynasty the sacred “Sengol” was used to signify the handover of authority from one monarch to another, as a symbol of legitimacy and succession. Expectation that the person receiving the Sengol will rule in just and fair manner, equitable governance.

Sengol is rooted in self discipline that brings security and well being to all living beings. It is the embodiment of righteous power. The high priest presents the sacred sceptre Dharma Danda, crowns the king, blesses the new monarch and bestows the sengol title. The Emperor carries the sengol during the ceremonial events to symbolize their might. 

Evolution of Sengol:

According to research work by Archaeologists Ch. Bajirao and E.Sivanagi Reddy, around 1300 years ago Sengol – originally called Nandi Dhwaja is seen in the left hand of Shiva Nataraja sculptured on the southern wall of Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal a world Heritage site in Karnataka. The Temple was built by Lokamahadevi Queen of Badami Chalukya Emperor Vikramaditya – II in 733 – 45 CE.

Sengol – Ancient History:

From the ninth to the thirteenth centuries CE, the Cholas dynasty, one of the most significant and powerful empires, reigned seven armed states Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Srilanka. Sengol sceptre was traditionally passed from one chola king to another king as a symbol of legitimacy and succession. As per ancient coronation rituals the king after formally ascending the throne would proclaim and priest handover the sacred sengol, it is embodiment of righteousness of power.

Sengol – Epic:

According to Mahabharata, Danda/ Sengol are the incarnations of Lord Mahadeva. Lord Vishnu was given Danda, he gave it to the earthly kings to guard and administer justice to Prithvi with all the terrifying power of Hara.

The ancient Tamil Epic Silappadikaram illustrates the significance of the sengol. When the Pandyan King of Madurai Nedunchezhiyan, was confronted by Kannagi as her husband Kovalan was falsely accused and executed for theft. King is devasted, his Sengol is “bent”. The king's righteousness ruined in utter shame and despair. King kills himself and his wife follows. Kannagi tears off her left breast and throws it at the city which bursts into flames and is destroyed

Nandi the bull at the top of sengol represents the protector of Indices since the time of Saraswati Sindhu Civilization.

Sengol – Thirukkural:

The Tamil classic “Thirukkural” hails the importance of the sengol, one whole chapter on the sceptre titled “Sengonmai” from Adhigaram 541 – 550.

Sengol – politics:

Rajagopalachari developed the concept of the sceptre that was adopted in Tamil Tradition. Sengol, a historical sceptre from Tamil Nadu designed by Vummidi Bangaru Chetty, a jeweler in 1947 in Madras under the supervision of the seer of Thiruvaduthurai Atheenam, a Tamil Nadu mutt was received by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947 to symbolize India’s Independence, transfer of power from the British and was kept in a museum in Allahabad

After 75 years of Independences, present Prime Minister Narendar Modi on May 28th 2023 installed the Sengol in the New Parliament. As the significance of pride of the country.

Sengol – west country:

In the West Country, the sceptre has been a part of royal regalia right from the time of the Greek and Mesopotamian civilization. In countries like Norway, Sweden and the UK, the royal sceptre is still in vogue. It was seen as recently as September 2022 when it was placed on the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, sceptre was handed over to King Charles at the time of his coronation.

References:

https://www.studyiq.com/articles/what-is-sengol/
https://frontline.thehindu.com/news/1947-sengol
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/behind-the-chola

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