Thanjavur

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historic cities introducti

Thanjavur, a city in the state of Tamil Nadu is known for its historical and cultural significance. From the time of the Mutharaiyars to the Cholas, Nayakas and Marathas, this royal city has evolved over centuries with each dynasty leaving a mark of its own.

Thanjavur is home to one of the greatest Chola temples, the Brihadeswara Temple. Over a thousand years old, this temple’s brilliant architecture continues to amaze engineers of our time! Music, art and dance have also thrived within the city, making it a hub of cultural activities.

historic cities city tales

According to Hindu mythology, Thanjavur is named after Tanjan, an asura whose dying wish was to have his place of death named after him. Take a look at the map and you will see the Grand Anicut Canal that irrigates the land around the city of Thanjavur with water from the Kaveri. Even today, the district of Thanjavur is known for its paddy fields.

historic cities history

The city of Thanjavur or Tanjore (anglicised name) has a long history of occupation. Its history goes as far back as the Sangam period when the Cholas had their capital here. It then fell into the hands of the Nayakas of Vijayanagar and then the Maratha rulers, both of whom left their own mark on the city. The city has thus remained an important political and cultural centre throughout history.

Click below to read more on the long history of this city.

history timeline code

History of Thanjavur

  1. The Cholas appear in Sangam texts. They are based in the lower Kaveri valley and the Kaveri delta. Karikala of the Chola dynasty is especially praised in this literature.
  2. Vijayalaya Chola conquers Thanjavur from the Mutharayar king, Elango Mutharayar.
  3. His son Aditya I consolidates his hold over the city of Thanjavur.
  4. Vijayalaya’s grandson, Parantaka I is in power and has conquered the Pandyas, capturing Madurai and Ceylon.
  5. Rajakesari Arumolivarman (Rajaraja Chola) comes to power. He defeats the neighbouring Cheras, Pandyas as well as the Chalukyas to Thanjavur’s north and takes the title of ‘Rajaraja’ or King of Kings. Thanjavur is his capital.
  6. Brihadeshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is built.
  7. Rajendra I shifts the capital to Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Thanjavur’s prominence starts declining.
  8. Thanjavur is annexed along with the rest of the Chola kingdom by the Pandya King, Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I.
  9. The Delhi Sultanate expeditions crush the Pandyas.
  10. Thanjavur becomes part of the Vijayanagar empire. The rulers appoint governors or Nayaks for the administration of these provinces.
  11. Sevappa Nayaka, the Vijayanagar viceroy or Nayaka of Arcot, establishes himself as an independent monarch and establishes the Thanjavur Nayaka kingdom. The Nayakas fortify the city.
  12. Thanjavur Nayaka rule comes to an end when Thanjavur falls to the Madurai Nayaka King, Chokkanatha Nayaka.
  13. Thanjavur is conquered by the Maratha ruler Venkoji/Ekoji, the half brother of Shivaji.
  14. Shahji comes to power. He improves the palace built by the Nayakas and erects a throne room in it.
  15. Tukkoji, the youngest son of Venkoji ascends the throne.
  16. Tukkoji’s son, Ekoji II passes away. Ekoji’s son is a minor at the time of the former’s death so his mother, Seejan Bai, rules as a regent. The Nawab of Arcot, a distant relation of the family, starts to meddle.
  17. Savai Shahji known as Kattu Raja usurps the throne.
    Shahji is stabbed by the Minister of the Nawab of Arcot. He installs Prathap Singh on Thanjavur’s throne.
  18. Thanjavur becomes a protected State of the East India Company. Tuljaji, the ruler of Thanjavur turns into an ally of the British.
  19. Tuljaji Raja’s brother Amarasimma Raja or Amer Singh succeeds to the throne. His succession is deemed illegal and he is removed by the British.
  20. The district is ceded to the British but Serfoji II, adopted son of Tuljaji, retains a part of the fort and exercises some power. He provides great patronage to arts and literature.
  21. The Maratha Kingdom of Thanjavur is absorbed into British India by the Doctrine of Lapse when Shivaji II dies without a legitimate male heir.
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city tales links

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city tables level 1

{"rows":[{"title":"City Tales","field_audio":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022link-item\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022link-title\u0022\u003EThanjavur- Behind the Name\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022link-url\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/videoserver.nvli.in\/nvli\/ich\/CategoryVideos\/Thanjavur\/CityTalesThanjavur_BehindTheName.mp3\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/videoserver.nvli.in\/nvli\/ich\/CategoryVideos\/Thanjavur\/CityTalesThanjavu\u2026\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Hindu mythology, Thanjavur is named after Tanjan, an asura whose dying wish was that his place of death be named after him.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat other stories does Thanjavur tell? Click to find out.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","field_images":"","field_videos":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022link-item\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022link-title\u0022\u003EA Lyrical Journey Through Thanjavur\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022link-url\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/videoserver.nvli.in\/nvli\/ICP\/historicCity\/ThanjavurCityTales_720p.mp4\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/videoserver.nvli.in\/nvli\/ICP\/historicCity\/ThanjavurCityTales_720p.mp4\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","nid":"3000902"}],"pager":{"current_page":0,"total_items":1,"total_pages":1,"items_per_page":10}}

city tables level 2

{"rows":[{"title":"Puzzle \u0026lt;br\u0026gt; The Writing on Thanjavur\u2019s Walls","field_audio":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECONGRATULATIONS!\u003Cbr\u003EThis is a picture of the walls of the Brihadeswara Temple. The writing on the stone is an inscription- a record of the history of Thanjavur, carved onto the rocks of its monuments, sometimes on specially-made stone plaques, or even on thin, pocket-sized copper tablets. Thanjavur\u2019s inscriptions have helped archaeologists and historians paint a picture of this city\u2019s history. So if you\u2019ve ever wondered how we know about the various gifts and donations the Brihadeswara temple received, or how much revenue the temple collected in taxes, this is one answer.\u003C\/p\u003E","field_images":" \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/thanzavur-puzzle_1_1.jpg.webp?itok=X-v4KLVl\u0022 width=\u0022500\u0022 height=\u0022500\u0022 alt=\u0022Re-arrange to create a picture like this.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n","field_videos":"","nid":"3000924"}],"pager":{"current_page":0,"total_items":1,"total_pages":1,"items_per_page":10}}