Maratha Palace, Thanjavur (Aranmanai)

The Thanjavur Palace served as the official seat of the Maratha monarchs from 1674 to 1855. It was built in the 1530s by the Nayaka rulers and later expanded by the Marathas. The palace consists of two parts: the first portion is followed by the Saraswathi Mahal Library, which houses the Royal Museum, Maratha Darbar Hall, and Sangeetha Mahal. The second portion, including the Goodagopuram, Manimandapam, and Art Gallery, was completed during the Nayak dynasty. The palace boasts intricate designs and a majestic structure, leaving visitors in awe of the architectural brilliance of the past.

Ilamurugan, & IlamuruganIlamurugan. (n.d.). Thanjavur maratha palace, Thanjavur. Thanjavur Maratha Palace, Thanjavur. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/05/thanjavur-maratha-palace-thanjavur.html

The Tanjavur Art Gallery is housed in the Maratha Durbar Hall, the royal court hall. The hall includes a magnificently painted ceiling and walls that are filled with paintings of previous Maratha kings. The paintings in the Tanjavur Art Gallery depict scenes from Indian mythology and are the work of artisans from the Tanjavur region, renowned for their intricate detail and vibrant colours. These paintings also depict deities such as Shiva, Vishnu, and Indra with their consorts, a unique testament to the artistry of the region and its vibrant culture.

The Thanjavur Palace holds a unique place in history as a symbol of the confluence of Tamil and Marathi cultures. It is difficult to comprehend that a city steeped in the Chola and Nayaka monarchies of southern India was also a Maratha state. As a result, most people are surprised by Thanjavur's (previously Tanjore's) comparatively recent past.

The palace was the official seat of the Maratha monarchs from 1674 until 1855 and was also known as the Maratha Palace or Nayaka Palace. It was initially constructed in the 1530s by the Nayaka rulers, and the Marathas later extended it. The royal family, known as the Bhonsales, made renovations and additions to the Nayaka palace. They retained ownership of the palace even during the British occupation, virtually until the death of Thanjavur's final king, Shivaji. The palace is known for its expansive halls, wide passageways, observation and arsenal towers, and a shaded courtyard.

The Saraswathi Mahal Library follows the first section of the palace and houses the Royal Museum, Maratha Darbar Hall, and Sangeetha Mahal. The second section of the palace was built during the Nayaka period and houses the Goodagopuram, Manimandapam, and the Art Gallery.

The Royal Palace Museum is the first component of the Maratha Palace complex, presently held by the Bhosle family. It houses a collection of royal attire, armour, sculptures, and other royal-related objects. As a testament to its historical significance, the Indian Government has declared the Royal Palace Museum a protected monument.

Located outside the palace, the Saraswathi Mahal is one of India's oldest and greatest libraries. The library houses over a million manuscripts in languages such as Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi. It also contains many rare and ancient works, including palm-leaf manuscripts, lithographs, and handwritten parchments. With such a wide variety of texts and artefacts, it is a valuable resource for researchers and a treasure trove of history.

As the name implies in Tamil, the Maadamaaligai/Bell Tower is a rectangular palace with seven stories. It was previously used as a timepiece, and a mechanical bell would ring every hour from the top.

The Nayaka Palace courtyard, now the Art Gallery, was initially built by the Nayaks, and the palace was eventually transformed into a museum containing a large collection of statues, weaponry, and historical coins. A large courtyard in front of the palace provides a panoramic view of the structure. The architecture of the palace is a reflection of the Nayakas' love for art and culture. It is a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles, and the intricate carvings on the exterior walls are a testament to their skill as artists.

The Maharaja Serfoji Memorial Hall is directly across the street from the Palace Museum. This hall honours Maratha King Serfoji II (1798–1832), who was an avid patron of art and crafts. The hall pays tribute to him and his love of the arts through its collection of artwork and artefacts, including several ancient paintings, sculptures, and manuscripts collected from various parts of the country.

The Thanjavur palace is one of the most remote locations that showcase the flawless architectural splendour and convergence of the "Marathas" and "Nayakas" styles. While walking around this royal palace, it becomes clear that both dynasties were major supporters of art and culture and strived to encourage them during their reigns. The Thanjavur palace is a historical paradise for anyone interested in learning about the lifestyle of ancient South Indian monarchs.

The Sangeet Mahal is an indoor theatre located just across from the Art Gallery, constructed by Sevappa Nayak in 1600. The hall was designed acoustically to bring out the true sound of music. The walls were lined with various materials, such as brick and stone, to create the perfect acoustics for musical performances. The hall also had a large central courtyard with a fountain that created a pleasant atmosphere for guests.

The Sarjah Madi contains five circular balconies, each of which is distinct in size. It provides vantage points to view the performance.

The Koodagopuram/Arsenal Tower, located to the south of the courtyard, is a 192-foot-tall pyramidal building with eight levels, primarily used for military reasons. It was built by the Nayakas in 1645 with two levels and was subsequently rebuilt and finished by the Marathas in 1855. The second story of the tower was used for the king's martial arts instruction, while the first floor served as a watchtower, and the other floors were used to store weaponry and ammunition.

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Arsenal tower. Maratha palace || Thanjavur tourism. (n.d.). Retrieved January 27, 2023, from http://www.thanjavurtourism.com/maratha-palace-thanjavur.html

Bell Tower. Mapio.net. (n.d.). Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://mapio.net/pic/p-43494385/

Maharaja Serfoji Memorial Hall . Maharajah Serfoji II Memorial Hall Museum, Sadar Mahal Palace, Thanjavur. Tamilnadu-India. (n.d.). Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://serfojimemorialhall.com/maharajah-serfoji-2-museum.html

Ilamurugan, & IlamuruganIlamurugan. (n.d.). Sharja Madi. Thanjavur Maratha Palace – Sharja Madi. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/05/thanjavur-maratha-palace-sharja-madi.html

ePhotocorp. (n.d.). Interior of Durbar Hall. Dreamstime. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.dreamstime.com/known-locally-as-residence-bhonsle-family-which-ruled-over-tanjore-to-fall-thanjavur-nayak-kingdom-was-image115030289

 Art gallery. Thanjavur Info | Thanjavur's No. 1 Local Directory Website. (2019, July 31). Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://thanjavur.info/thanjavur-tourism/royal-palace-museum-thanjavur/

Thanjavur Palace compound . Thanjavur Info | Thanjavur's No. 1 Local Directory Website. (2019, July 31). Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://thanjavur.info/thanjavur-tourism/royal-palace-museum-thanjavur/