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Serfoji I

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Serfoji I (Marathi:सरफोजी १/सारभोजी १)(1675–1728), also called Sarabhoji I, was the son of the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur Ekoji I and the Raja of Thanjavur from 1712 to 1728. He was the third Raja of the Bhonsle dynasty. He consolidated the hold of Marathas over Thanjavur and patronised arts and literature.

The Marava War of Succession

A war of succession broke out in the Marava kingdom in the year 1720[1]. Vijaya Raghunatha, the adopted son of Raja Kilavan had died and a war of succession broke out between two other sons of Kilavan namely Bhavani Shankar and Tanda Teva[1]. Serfoji I supported the cause of Bhavani Shankar and placed him on the throne[1]. But Bhavani Shankar did not fulfill his promise to cede all lands north of the Pamban to Thanjavur. Thanjavur switched sides and began to support another pretender[1]. The Marava army suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Serfoji I. Bhavani Shankar was deposed and the country conquered by Serfoji I[1]. The country was split up into three parts: one part was annexed by Thanjavur while the Zamindaris of Sivaganga and Ramnad were created out of the other two[1].

Literature

The reign of Serfoji I was known for literary works of considerable significance. Advaita Kirtana, a Tamil manuscript in the Tanjore library speaks of a breach in the Cauvery dam and refusal of the Madurai Nayak to allow this repair[2]. Drought and famine followed, and then, the necessary repairs were carried out. There is a Sanskrit manuscript named Sarabhoji Charitra which praises the king for fighting with those who came to cut off the Cauvery dam. The reference here has to be traced to an event in the Marava war of succession[2].

Serfoji I is presented as a pious and charitable monarch. He endowed Brahmanas with agraharams like Mangamatam in Tiruverkadu and Sarabhojirajapuram in Tirukkadaiyur[3]. Vidyaparinaya written by Vedakavi was enacted in the festival of the Goddess Anandavalli in Thanjavur[4]. It speaks of the marriage of the individual soul with Vidya. Sarabharaja Vilasa and Ratinamanmatha were written by Jagannatha son of a minister of Ekoji[4]. Sivabharata, a Sanskrit manuscript deals with the ancestry and achievements of Shivaji[4]. It was translated into Tamil as Sivajicharitram[4].

Succession

Serfoji I did not have a legitimate male offspring of his own[4]. However, after his death, a claimant rose in the person of Katturaja who assumed the name Shahuji II and claimed to be an illegitimate offspring of Serfoji II[4].

Death

Serfoji I died in 1728[4]. One of his queens performed Sati[4]. He was succeeded by his younger brother Tukkoji[4].

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c d e f Subramanian, Pg. 37
  2. ^ a b Subramanian, Pg. 38
  3. ^ Subramanian, Pg. 39
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Subramanian, Pg. 40

References

  1. K. R. Subramanian(1928). The Maratha Rajas of Tanjore
Preceded by Maratha Raja of Thanjavur
1712–1728 		Succeeded by
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