Vummidi Ethiraj, Craftsman Behind Historic Sengol, Passes Away at 99
Veteran jeweller and patriarch of Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers, Vummidi Ethiraj, has passed away at the age of 99 in Chennai. He played a central role in crafting the historic gold-plated silver Sengol, which is linked to India's transfer of power in 1947.
What happened
Vummidi Ethiraj, a leading jeweller and the patriarch of the 125-year-old Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers, passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, at the age of 99. Born on November 25, 1926, he was widely recognized for his immense contribution to traditional Indian arts and civilisational heritage.
At the young age of 20, in 1947, Ethiraj played a central role in crafting the historic Sengol. The Sengol is a gold-plated silver sceptre that holds profound historical significance, marking the transfer of power from British rule to independent India.
Important dates
| Date of Demise | 21 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 25 November 1926 |
| Crafting of the Sengol | 1947 |
| Installation of Sengol in New Parliament | 28 May 2023 |
📌 Static GK links
- The Sengol was originally presented to independent India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, by priests from the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam Mutt in Tamil Nadu on the night of August 14, 1947.
- The Sengol was installed in the new Parliament building's Lok Sabha chamber by PM Narendra Modi in May 2023.
What candidates should do
- Note down the name of the artisan and his association with the Sengol for current affairs questions in upcoming banking, SSC, and civil services exams.
- Revise the historical background of the Sengol, including its presentation in 1947 and its recent installation in the new Parliament building.
PrepZen analysis
Obituaries of prominent figures connected to major national events frequently feature in competitive examinations like UPSC, State PSCs, and SSC. Vummidi Ethiraj's passing brings focus back to the historical Sengol, which gained renewed national prominence during the inauguration of India's new Parliament building in 2023. Aspirants should thoroughly review both the personal legacy of Ethiraj and the rich historical context of the Sengol for General Awareness sections.
Practice questions
Q1. Vummidi Ethiraj, who recently passed away, was associated with the crafting of which historic artifact?
Q2. Who presented the historic Sengol to India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on the night of August 14, 1947?
Played important role in crafting historic Sengol.
Patriarch of 125-year-old Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers.
Sengol: gold-plated silver sceptre, linked to India's 1947 power transfer.
Installed in new Parliament building by PM Modi in 2023.
🎯 Key Point: Vummidi Ethiraj, Sengol craftsman and jeweler, passed away.
FAQs
Who was Vummidi Ethiraj?
Vummidi Ethiraj was a veteran jeweller and the patriarch of the 125-year-old Chennai-based jewellery firm Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers, best known for crafting the historic Sengol.
What is the Sengol made of?
The Sengol is a gold-plated silver sceptre.
When was the Sengol installed in the new Parliament building?
The Sengol was ceremonially installed in the Lok Sabha chamber of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28, 2023.
What is the historical significance of the Sengol?
The Sengol symbolizes the transfer of power from British rule to independent India, having been presented to India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on August 14, 1947.
Sources and references
- indiatimes.com (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- indianexpress.com (indianexpress.com)
- gktoday.in (www.gktoday.in)
- rediff.com (www.rediff.com)
Prepared by PrepZen for exam preparation. Consult the linked sources for original announcements and current details. Corrections policy. Spotted an error? Write to prepzen.app@gmail.com.
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