MARATHA

PALACE,THANJAVUR
CULTURE AND ARCHITECTURE
AT A DISTANCE OF 2 KM FROM THANJAVUR RAILWAY STATION, 1.5 KM FROM BRIHADEESWARAR TEMPLE
& 0.5 KM FROM OLD BUS STATION, THANJAVUR PALACE, ALSO KNOWN AS MARATHA PALACE OR NAYAK
PALACE IS A WONDERFUL HISTORICAL STRUCTURE IN THE TOWN OF THANJAVUR. IT WAS THE OFFICIAL
RESIDENCE OF THE MARATHA RULERS FROM 1674 TO 1855.

IT WAS CONSTRUCTED PARTLY BY THANJAVUR NAYAKS AROUND 1550 CE, AND EXPANDED BY THE
MARATHAS. THE PALACE IS NOTED FOR ITS HUGE HALLS, SPACIOUS CORRIDORS, OBSERVATION AND
ARSENAL TOWERS, AND A SHADY COURTYARD. THE PALACE IS A MUST VISIT PLACE IN THANJAVUR TO
UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY AND LIFESTYLE OF ITS RULERS.

THE ENTRANCE TO THE PALACE IS A LARGE QUADRANGULAR COURTYARD WHICH IS ENCIRCLED BY

WALLS WITH BIG GATEWAYS TO THE NORTH AND THE EAST. THE COURTYARD LEADS TO A MANY-
PILLARED HALL. THE GOODAGOPURAM, ALSO KNOWN AS BELL TOWER, AN EIGHT STORIED VIMANA
LIKE BUILDING SITUATED ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE THIRD QUADRANGLE, HAS A HEIGHT OF 190
FT. IT WAS THE PALACE WATCH TOWER AND ALSO THE ARMORY OF THE THANJAVUR KINGS TILL 1855
AD. BEYOND THE GOODAGOPURAM LIES THE SIX-STORIED TOWER CALLED MANIMANDAPAM.

THE PALACE DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS WHERE THE FIRST PART FOLLOWED BY SARASWATHI MAHAL
LIBRARY IS EXTENDED BY MARATHA RULERS AND IT HOUSES ROYAL MUSEUM, MARATHA DARBAR
HALL AND SANGEETHA MAHAL. THE SECOND PART OF THE PALACE WAS CONSTRUCTED DURING NAYAK
PERIOD AND IT HOUSES GOODAGOPURAM, MANIMANDAPAM AND ART GALLERY
 With the abundance of large working forces and artisans, the ruling Marathas
constructed beautiful structures in Tanjore. The most important Maratha structures in the
town as the group of buildings within the palace complex. The 400 year old palace complex
was erected by the Nayaks and the Marathas. The palace contained four main structures
i.e. the Arsenal Tower, Bell Tower, Maratha Durbar Hall and SarjaMadi. The Arsenal Tower,
a seven floor structure was used as the Andhapuram for the Nayak kings who had their
The Thanjavur Maratha Palace Complex, known locally as harem in each floor. Later when British rule emerged, they used the seven floor structure
to dump weapons and hence the name Arsenal Tower.12 It is a seven storeyedGudagopuram
Aranmanai, is the official residence of the Bhonsle family who
which was built to resemble a temple. Near the Gudagopuram is the six-storeyed
Madamaligam constructured by a Nayak ruler, but extensively renovated by the Marathas. It
ruled over the Tanjore region from 1674 to 1855. The original
was constructed to enable the ruler to view the towers of the famous Sri Ranganatha
temple at Srirangam.
name of Thanjavur Palace is Sivaganga Fort, which is rarelyIn 1684 Shahji, the Maratha ruler erected the Maratha durbar Hall. The durbar
comprised of two mandapas. The front mandapa has a wooden roof covering with tiles and
used these days. If you observe carefully, there is even a small
supported by pillars. The rear mandapa is raised and has a small vault roof standing on
granite pillars, plastered with bricks and lime.13 The SangitaMahal, a miniature of the
moat around it which provided security against enemy access.
surviving court of TirumalaiNayak’s palace in Madura is also fine.14 The Marathas
constructed another palace at Tiruvaiyar which was proximity to the main capital. This is
Often mistakenly called the "Thanjavur Maratha Palace" was small, but richly ornamented palace. Near the palace are two peculiar pyramids like four
storeyed structure, “Pigeon Houses”, which attracts the attention of the spectators.15
not built by Maratha Kings, but by Thanjavur Nayaks. However,
Vol. 3 No. 3 January 2016 ISSN: 2321 – 788X
Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science & Humanities 72
the Marathas made some enhancements to suit their needs. ItAnother historically important spot is Manora, located twenty km south of
Pattukottai. The place derives its name from the fort built here by king Serfoji. The word
is more popularly called "Thanjavur Aranmanai" by the people
Manora means a tower a derivative of the minars of North Indian architecture. It is an
excellent piece of Art. The 140 feet monument stands majestically on the shore of the Bay
of Tamil Nadu. of Bengal. In 1815 built the tower to commemorate the victory of the British over Napoleon
Bonaparte in the historical battle of Waterloo. The hexagonal shaped storeyed fort has a
moat around it. The fort has a centrally located tower which is 23.3 meter high and has
nine floors.16 The moat with sea water is provided with drainage facility through
Thanjavur’s royal palace is a mixed bag of ruin and renovation,
underground connections. There are both inlet and outlet facilities. The Maratha king used
the fort as summer palace
superb art and random royal paraphernalia. The maze-like
complex was constructed partly by the Nayaks who took over
Thanjavur in 1535, and partly by a local Maratha dynasty that
ruled from 1676 to 1855. The two don't-miss sections are the
Saraswati Mahal Library Museum and the Art Gallery.
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