How did Marathii speaking people come to Thanjavur, far removed from Maharashtra?
In 1673, the Nayak of Madurai invaded the kingdom of Thanjavur under the rule of the Thanjavur Nayaks, Vijayaraghava Nayak, and drove away the ruler.
A son of Vijaya Raghava, Chengamaldas induced the Bijapur Sultan, Adil Shah to help him get back the Thanjavur throne. Adil Shah sent Ekoji to invade Thanjavur and restore the throne unto Chengamaldas.
Ekoji I or Venkoji (born 1629) was the younger half-brother of Shivaji and founder of Maratha rule in Thanjavur. He was the younger son of Shahaji.
In 1675, a column of Bijapur army came to Thanjavur to help and retrieved Vallam from the Madurai Nayak. However the same army subsequently killed him and Ekoji as a great warrior managed to ascend the throne of Thanjavur kingdom.
Interestingly, a Sanskrit manuscript Bosalavamsavali narrates how Venkoji conquered Arni and proceeded to Thanjavur to liberate it from the shackles of the Nayak. While camping at Tirumalapadi near Tiruvadi, God appeared to him in a dream and asked him not to leave for home.
The Marathi inscriptions of the Thanjavur temple dates the capture of Thanjavur to January 1676. So it is from about this time that the marathas who came with Ekoji settled in Thanjavur and its precints.
After Ekoji, his three sons namely Shaji, Serfoji I, Thukkoji alias Thulaja I ruled Thanjavur.
Thus began the Maratha rule in Thanjavur.
At the time he was sent to Tanjore by the Sultan of Bijapur, Ekoji was in charge of the Jagir of Bangalore, which he had inherited from his father Shahaji (who was also the father of Shivaji).
ReplyDeleteHi Desistha friends,
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thanks a log
Did you try SIMA? (South Indian Maharashtrian Association, Hyderabad). Please try this site.
ReplyDeletewww.sima-india.org/executive.html
ekoji conquered arni and proceeded to Tanjore. Arni was placed under the control of my wife's ancesters who were called arni jagir. More info in www.arnijagir.com
ReplyDeletewhat are the catagorys in Maratha comunity desastha Maratha means what? RAJU MADHAV KARKALA UDUPI DIST KARNATAKA
ReplyDeleteMy forefathers were marathi deshashtas ,a very good insight ,thanks for the information on this
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ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI researched on Thanjavur Marathi and came across this interesting conversation. It is so nice to be able to find more Tanjore Marathi people.
Best Wishes,
Thank you.
DeleteThe term Thanjavur Marathi is a misnomer as people are not confined just to Thanjavur but to other parts in South India. They are also Koli Marathi in Karnataka and are also referred to broadly as Dakshin Marathi.
ReplyDeleteDear Sudarshan, yes you are right but it probably got named as Thanjavur Marathi chiefly because Vyankoji settled and ruled there.
DeleteYes, Dakshin Marathi is a good name to call ourselves but not Koli Marathi.
Dear Maratha Friends of Tanjore, On the basis of Mckenzie Recordings and few other documents and books by Kudavayil Balasubramaniam etc. I have brought out a book titled "Thanjavur Marattiyar varalaru" narating the history from Ekoji to Shivaji II (1855) their services, administration etc. This book deals with the Kings and their activities only. If interested people may contact Ananya Publishers, PAY Nagar, Near Kuzhandai Yesu church, Pudukottai Road, Thanjavur. Phone. 9442346504 Mr.Arul.
ReplyDeleteI am looking for my friend, Padmashree Rao (that's her last name before she got married). She got married around 1986-88 I think. In Pai Kalyana Mantapam in Mylapore. If anybody knows anything please do reply. Thank you so very much.
ReplyDeleteMytri
Great work madam
ReplyDelete