SENGOL - ART AND CULTURE
News: Sengol: Civilisational symbol
or ‘raja ka danda’?
What's in the news?
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Samajwadi Party Lok Sabha MP R K Chaudhary said:
“‘Sengol’ means ‘raj-dand’, or ‘raja ka danda’ (the king’s stick) Now that the
country is Independent, will it be run by ‘raja ka danda’ or the Constitution?
I demand that Sengol be removed from Parliament to save the Constitution”.
Sengol:
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A 5-foot -long gold-plated
silver sceptre.
Meaning - The term is derived from the Tamil word “Semmai” meaning “Righteousness”.
Origin - Chola dynasty (9th-13th centuries CE) in South India.
Early History - Symbol of legitimacy and succession for Kings.
Significance - Represents the idea of just, righteous, and dutiful governance.
First Given to - Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru
Given by - Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam Crafting Vummidi Bangaru Chetty from Chennai,
with the help of Vummidi Ethirajulu and Vummidi Sudhakar.
Current Status - New Indian Parliament.
Important Takeaways:
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Among the Madurai Nayakas, for example, the sengol
was placed before the goddess Meenakshi in the great temple on important
occasions, and then transferred to the throne room, representing the king’s
role as a divine agent.