NCERT textbook revives debatable theory on Sengol handed to Nehru
A new NCERT Class 9 social science textbook includes a theory describing the Sengol as a symbol of righteous governance and the transfer of power in 1947. This narrative is contested by historians who argue there is no formal record of the Sengol serving this specific purpose during the independence transition.
Why it matters
The inclusion of debated historical narratives in national textbooks highlights ongoing tensions regarding the interpretation of Indian history and political symbolism.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s claim that Sengol , which is a sceptre anointed by Hindu religious leaders, marked the transfer of power in 1947 when India became independent, finds a mention in the National Council of Educational Research and Training’s (NCERT) newly released Class 9 social science textbook.
The new textbook ‘Understanding Society and Beyond - Part 2’ states, “The Sengol , a cultural marker of rulership and good governance, was placed in India’s newly inaugurated Parliament building in the year 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The tradition of using the Sengol as a mark of righteous governance began more than a thousand years ago during the reign of Chola dynasty,” the textbook reads.
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