Thanjavur Maratha Palace

Thanjavur Maratha Palace
Interior of Durbar Hall, Thanjavur Maratha palace.
Location	Tanjore region, India

Thanjavur Maratha palace, 2008

The Thanjavur Maratha Palace Complex, known locally as Aranmanai, is the official residence of the Bhonsle family who ruled over the Tanjore region from 1674 to 1855.

History

The Thanjavur Maratha palace was originally constructed by the rulers of Thanjavur Nayak kingdom. After the fall of the Thanjavur Nayak kingdom, it served as the official residence of the Thanjavur Maratha. When most of the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom was annexed to the British Empire in 1799, the Thanjavur Marathas continued to hold sway over the palace and the surrounding fort. The Bhonsle family continued to hold on to the palace even after the last king Shivaji II was deposed as per the Doctrine of Lapse.

Constituents

Elephant goads at the Thanjavur Maratha palace

The palace complex consists of the Sadar Mahal Palace, the queen's courtyard and the Durbar Hall. The Raja Serfoji Memorial Hall and the Royal Palace Museum are situated in the Sadar Mahal Palace. There is also a small bell tower. The Saraswathi Mahal Library is situated with the Thanjavur palace complex.

See also

• New Palace, Kolhapur of the Bhonsle Chhatrapatis
• Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara of the Gaekwads
• Jai Vilas Palace, Gwalior of the Scindias
• Rajwada, Indore of Holkars
• Shaniwar Wada, Pune of the Peshwas

References

• Joe Bindloss, Sarina Singh (2007). Country Guides - India. Lonely Planet. p. 1084. ISBN 1-74104-308-5, ISBN 978-1-74104-308-2.