Template:Short description Template:About Template:Redirect Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Main other{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox settlement with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y | alt | anthem | anthem_link | area_blank1_acre | area_blank1_dunam | area_blank1_ha | area_blank1_km2 | area_blank1_sq_mi | area_blank1_title | area_blank2_acre | area_blank2_dunam | area_blank2_ha | area_blank2_km2 | area_blank2_sq_mi | area_blank2_title | area_code | area_code_type | area_codes | area_footnotes | area_land_acre | area_land_dunam | area_land_ha | area_land_km2 | area_land_sq_mi | area_metro_acre | area_metro_dunam | area_metro_footnotes | area_metro_ha | area_metro_km2 | area_metro_sq_mi | area_note | area_rank | area_rural_acre | area_rural_dunam | area_rural_footnotes | area_rural_ha | area_rural_km2 | area_rural_sq_mi | area_total_acre | area_total_dunam | area_total_ha | area_total_km2 | area_total_sq_mi | area_urban_acre | area_urban_dunam | area_urban_footnotes | area_urban_ha | area_urban_km2 | area_urban_sq_mi | area_water_acre | area_water_dunam | area_water_ha | area_water_km2 | area_water_percent | area_water_sq_mi | blank_emblem_alt | blank_emblem_link | blank_emblem_size | blank_emblem_type | blank_info | blank_info_sec1 | blank_info_sec2 | blank_name | blank_name_sec1 | blank_name_sec2 | blank1_info | blank1_info_sec1 | blank1_info_sec2 | blank1_name | blank1_name_sec1 | blank1_name_sec2 | blank2_info | blank2_info_sec1 | blank2_info_sec2 | blank2_name | blank2_name_sec1 | blank2_name_sec2 | blank3_info | blank3_info_sec1 | blank3_info_sec2 | blank3_name | blank3_name_sec1 | blank3_name_sec2 | blank4_info | blank4_info_sec1 | blank4_info_sec2 | blank4_name | blank4_name_sec1 | blank4_name_sec2 | blank5_info | blank5_info_sec1 | blank5_info_sec2 | blank5_name | blank5_name_sec1 | blank5_name_sec2 | blank6_info | blank6_info_sec1 | blank6_info_sec2 | blank6_name | blank6_name_sec1 | blank6_name_sec2 | blank7_info | blank7_info_sec1 | blank7_info_sec2 | blank7_name | blank7_name_sec1 | blank7_name_sec2 | caption | code1_info | code1_name | code2_info | code2_name | coor_pinpoint | coor_type | coordinates | coordinates_footnotes | demographics_type1 | demographics_type2 | demographics1_footnotes | demographics1_info1 | demographics1_info10 | demographics1_info2 | demographics1_info3 | demographics1_info4 | demographics1_info5 | demographics1_info6 | demographics1_info7 | demographics1_info8 | demographics1_info9 | demographics1_title1 | demographics1_title10 | demographics1_title2 | demographics1_title3 | demographics1_title4 | demographics1_title5 | demographics1_title6 | demographics1_title7 | demographics1_title8 | demographics1_title9 | demographics2_footnotes | demographics2_info1 | demographics2_info10 | demographics2_info2 | demographics2_info3 | demographics2_info4 | demographics2_info5 | demographics2_info6 | demographics2_info7 | demographics2_info8 | demographics2_info9 | demographics2_title1 | demographics2_title10 | demographics2_title2 | demographics2_title3 | demographics2_title4 | demographics2_title5 | demographics2_title6 | demographics2_title7 | demographics2_title8 | demographics2_title9 | dimensions_footnotes | dunam_link | elevation_footnotes | elevation_ft | elevation_link | elevation_m | elevation_max_footnotes | elevation_max_ft | elevation_max_m | elevation_max_point | elevation_max_rank | elevation_min_footnotes | elevation_min_ft | elevation_min_m | elevation_min_point | elevation_min_rank | elevation_point | embed | established_date | established_date1 | established_date2 | established_date3 | established_date4 | established_date5 | established_date6 | established_date7 | established_title | established_title1 | established_title2 | established_title3 | established_title4 | established_title5 | established_title6 | established_title7 | etymology | extinct_date | extinct_title | flag_alt | flag_border | flag_link | flag_size | footnotes | founder | geocode | governing_body | government_footnotes | government_type | government_blank1_title | government_blank1 | government_blank2_title | government_blank2 | government_blank2_title | government_blank3 | government_blank3_title | government_blank3 | government_blank4_title | government_blank4 | government_blank5_title | government_blank5 | government_blank6_title | government_blank6 | grid_name | grid_position | image_alt | image_blank_emblem | image_caption | image_flag | image_map | image_map1 | image_seal | image_shield | image_size | image_skyline | imagesize | iso_code | leader_name | leader_name1 | leader_name2 | leader_name3 | leader_name4 | leader_party | leader_title | leader_title1 | leader_title2 | leader_title3 | leader_title4 | length_km | length_mi | map_alt | map_alt1 | map_caption | map_caption1 | mapsize | mapsize1 | module | motto | motto_link | mottoes | name | named_for | native_name | native_name_lang | nickname | nickname_link | nicknames | official_name | other_name | p1 | p10 | p11 | p12 | p13 | p14 | p15 | p16 | p17 | p18 | p19 | p2 | p20 | p21 | p22 | p23 | p24 | p25 | p26 | p27 | p28 | p29 | p3 | p30 | p31 | p32 | p33 | p34 | p35 | p36 | p37 | p38 | p39 | p4 | p40 | p41 | p42 | p43 | p44 | p45 | p46 | p47 | p48 | p49 | p5 | p50 | p6 | p7 | p8 | p9 | parts | parts_style | parts_type | pop_est_as_of | pop_est_footnotes | population | population_as_of | population_blank1 | population_blank1_footnotes | population_blank1_title | population_blank2 | population_blank2_footnotes | population_blank2_title | population_demonym | population_demonyms | population_density_blank1_km2 | population_density_blank1_sq_mi | population_density_blank2_km2 | population_density_blank2_sq_mi | population_density_km2 | population_density_metro_km2 | population_density_metro_sq_mi | population_density_rank | population_density_rural_km2 | population_density_rural_sq_mi | population_density_sq_mi | population_density_urban_km2 | population_density_urban_sq_mi | population_est | population_footnotes | population_metro | population_metro_footnotes | population_note | population_rank | population_rural | population_rural_footnotes | population_total | population_urban | population_urban_footnotes | postal_code | postal_code_type | postal2_code | postal2_code_type | pushpin_image | pushpin_label | pushpin_label_position | pushpin_map | pushpin_map_alt | pushpin_map_caption | pushpin_map_caption_notsmall | pushpin_map_narrow | pushpin_mapsize | pushpin_outside | pushpin_overlay | pushpin_relief | registration_plate | registration_plate_type | seal_alt | seal_link | seal_size | seal_type | seat | seat_type | seat1 | seat1_type | seat2 | seat2_type | settlement_type | shield_alt | shield_link | shield_size | short_description | subdivision_name | subdivision_name1 | subdivision_name2 | subdivision_name3 | subdivision_name4 | subdivision_name5 | subdivision_name6 | subdivision_type | subdivision_type1 | subdivision_type2 | subdivision_type3 | subdivision_type4 | subdivision_type5 | subdivision_type6 | timezone | timezone_DST | timezone_link | timezone1 | timezone1_DST | timezone1_location | timezone2 | timezone2_DST | timezone2_location | timezone3 | timezone3_DST | timezone3_location | timezone4 | timezone4_DST | timezone4_location | timezone5 | timezone5_DST | timezone5_location | total_type | translit_lang1 | translit_lang1_info | translit_lang1_info1 | translit_lang1_info2 | translit_lang1_info3 | translit_lang1_info4 | translit_lang1_info5 | translit_lang1_info6 | translit_lang1_type | translit_lang1_type1 | translit_lang1_type2 | translit_lang1_type3 | translit_lang1_type4 | translit_lang1_type5 | translit_lang1_type6 | translit_lang2 | translit_lang2_info | translit_lang2_info1 | translit_lang2_info2 | translit_lang2_info3 | translit_lang2_info4 | translit_lang2_info5 | translit_lang2_info6 | translit_lang2_type | translit_lang2_type1 | translit_lang2_type2 | translit_lang2_type3 | translit_lang2_type4 | translit_lang2_type5 | translit_lang2_type6 | type | unit_pref | utc_offset | utc_offset_DST | utc_offset1 | utc_offset1_DST | utc_offset2 | utc_offset2_DST | utc_offset3 | utc_offset3_DST | utc_offset4 | utc_offset4_DST | utc_offset5 | utc_offset5_DST | website | width_km | width_mi | mapframe | mapframe-area_km2 | mapframe-area_mi2 | mapframe-caption | mapframe-coord | mapframe-coordinates | mapframe-custom | mapframe-frame-coord | mapframe-frame-coordinates | mapframe-frame-height | mapframe-frame-width | mapframe-geomask | mapframe-geomask-fill | mapframe-geomask-fill-opacity | mapframe-geomask-stroke-color | mapframe-geomask-stroke-colour | mapframe-geomask-stroke-width | mapframe-height | mapframe-id | mapframe-length_km | mapframe-length_mi | mapframe-marker | mapframe-marker-color | mapframe-marker-colour | mapframe-point | mapframe-shape | mapframe-shape-fill | mapframe-shape-fill-opacity | mapframe-stroke-color | mapframe-stroke-colour | mapframe-stroke-width | mapframe-switcher | mapframe-width | mapframe-wikidata | mapframe-zoom }}{{#invoke:Check for clobbered parameters|check | template = Infobox settlement | cat = Template:Main other | population; population_total | image_size; imagesize | image_alt; alt | image_caption; caption }}{{#if:

|

}}Template:Main other Thanjavur ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}), also known as Thanjai, previously known as Tanjore,<ref name="britannicap195">Pletcher 2010, p. 195</ref> is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the 12th biggest city in Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is an important center of southern Indian religion, art, and architecture. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, are located in and around Thanjavur. The foremost among these, the Brihadisvara Temple, built by the Chola emperor Rajaraja I, is located in the centre of the city. This temple has one of the largest bull statues (called Nandi<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>) in India carved out of a single granite rock. Thanjavur is also home to Tanjore painting, a painting style unique to the region. Thanjavur is the headquarters of the Thanjavur District. The city is an important agricultural centre located in the Kaveri Delta and is known as the Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is administered by a municipal corporation covering an area of Template:Convert and had a population of 222,943.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Roadways are the major means of transportation, while the city also has rail connectivity. The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli International Airport, located Template:Convert away from the city. The nearest seaport is Karaikal, which is Template:Convert away from Thanjavur. The city first rose to prominence during the reign of the Cholas when it served as the capital of the empire. After the fall of the Cholas, the city was ruled by various dynasties such as the Mutharaiyar dynasty, the Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, the Madurai Nayaks, the Thanjavur Nayaks, the Thanjavur Marathas and the British Empire. It has been a part of independent India since 1947.

EtymologyEdit

The city's name is believed to be derived from a portmanteau of "thanjam puguntha oor" (Template:Langx) which means "the town where refugees entered", referring to the town's history of providing hospitality to newcomers.

According to another local legend, the name "Thanjavur" originated from "Tanjan," an Asura (demon) who was slain on the site. In Hindu mythology, Tanjan requested the establishment of a beautiful city at the place where he was defeated. Later, the Asura was vanquished in what is now Thanjavur by the Hindu god Neelamegha Perumal, an incarnation of Vishnu.<ref name="southern India">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Ayyar">Template:Cite book</ref>

The city's name "Thanjavur" might also be derived from the name of a Mutharayar king, "Thananjay" or "Dhananjaya". Thananjaya added to Oor gives the name Thanjavur. The Kalamalla stone inscription (the first stone inscription) was made by the king, Erikal Muthuraju Dhanunjaya Varma of 575 CE.Template:Citation needed

File:Manikundra Perumal temple, Thanjavur (7).jpg
Thanjai Mamani Koil from where the city gets its name.<ref name="Ayyar" />

HistoryEdit

File:Thanjavurtown1955.png
Map of Thanjavur city in 1955

Though there are no references to Thanjavur in the Sangam period (third century BCE to fourth century CE) Tamil records, some scholars believe that the city has existed since that time. Kovil Venni, situated Template:Convert to the east of the city, was the site of the Battle of Venni between the Chola king Karikala and a confederacy of the Cheras and the Pandyas.<ref name="sastrip32">Sastri 1935, p. 32</ref> The Cholas seemed to have faced an invasion of the Kalabhras in the third century CE after which the kingdom faded into obscurity. The region around present day Thanjavur was conquered by the Mutharayars during the sixth century, who ruled it up to 849.Template:Citation needed

The Cholas came to prominence once more through the rise of the medieval Chola monarch Vijayalaya (841–878 CE) in about 850 CE.<ref name="sastrip110">Sastri 1935, p. 110</ref> Vijayalaya conquered Thanjavur from the Mutharayar king Elango Mutharayar and built a temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Nisumbhasudani.<ref name="sastrip448">Sastri 1935, p. 448</ref> His son Aditya I (871–901) consolidated their hold over the city.<ref name="sastrip110" /> The Rashtrakuta king Krishna II (878–914), a contemporary of the Chola king Parantaka I (907–950), claims to have conquered Thanjavur, but there are no records to support the claim.<ref name="sastrip132">Sastri 1935, p. 132</ref> Gradually, Thanjavur became the most important city in the Chola Empire and remained its capital till the emergence of Gangaikonda Cholapuram in about 1025.<ref name="history"/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> During the first decade of the eleventh century, the Chola king Raja Raja Chola I (985–1014) constructed the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur. The temple is considered to be one of the best specimens of Tamil architecture.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="mitchellp91"/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

When the Chola Empire began to decline in the 13th century, the Pandyas from the south invaded and captured Thanjavur twice, first between 1218–19 and again in 1230. During the second invasion, the Chola king Rajaraja III (1216–56) was exiled and he sought the help of the Hoysala king Vira Narasimha II (1220–35) to regain Thanjavur.<ref name="sastrip4222">Sastri 1935, p. 422</ref> Thanjavur was eventually annexed along with the rest of the Chola kingdom by the Pandya king Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I (1268–1308) in 1279 and the Chola kings were forced to accept the suzerainty of the Pandyas.<ref name="sastrip429">Sastri 1935, p. 429</ref> The Pandyas ruled Thanjavur from 1279 to 1311 when their kingdom was raided by the forces of Malik Kafur (1296–1306) and later annexed by the Delhi Sultanate.<ref name="Aiyangar">Template:Cite book</ref> The Sultanate extended its authority directly over the conquered regions from 1311 to 1335 and then through the semi-independent Ma'bar Sultanate from 1335 to 1378. Starting from the 1350s, the Ma'bar Sultanate was steadily absorbed into the rising Vijayanagar Empire.Template:Citation needed

Template:Graphical timeline

File:OLD TANJORE.png
Thanjavur in 1869

Thanjavur is believed to have been conquered by Kampanna Udayar during his invasion of Srirangam between 1365 and 1371. Deva Raya's inscription dated 1443, Thirumala's inscription dated 1455 and Achuta Deva's land grants dated 1532 and 1539 attest Vijayanagar's dominance over Thanjavur.<ref name="history"/><ref name="Aiyangar"/> Sevappa Nayak (1532–80), the Vijayanagar viceroy of Arcot, established himself as an independent monarch in 1532 (1549, according to some sources) and founded the Thanjavur Nayak kingdom.<ref name="vriddhagirisanp0928">Vriddhagirisan 1942, pp. 9 – 28</ref> Achuthappa Nayak (1560–1614), Raghunatha Nayak (1600–34) and Vijaya Raghava Nayak (1634–73) are some of the important rulers of the Nayak dynasty who ruled Thanjavur.<ref name="mitchellp91">Mitchell 1995, p. 91</ref><ref name="vriddhagirisanp6265">Vriddhagirisan 1942, pp. 62–65</ref> Thanjavur Nayaks were notable for their patronage of literature and arts.<ref name="hindu1">Template:Cite news</ref> The rule of the dynasty came to an end when Thanjavur fell to the Madurai Nayak king Chokkanatha Nayak (1662–82) in 1673.<ref name="mitchellp91" /> Vijaya Raghunatha Nayak, the son of Chokkanatha, was killed in a battle and Chokkanatha's brother Alagiri Nayak (1673–75) was crowned as the ruler of the empire.<ref name="sathianathaierp163165">Template:Cite book</ref> Most of palayakkars in Thanjavur from Kallar caste. The Kallar held larger and richer estates than the Nayak.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Thanjavur was successfully conquered in 1674 by Ekoji I (1675–84), the Maratha feudatory of the sultan of Bijapur and half-brother of Shivaji (1627/30-80) of the Bhonsle dynasty. Ekoji founded the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom which ruled Thanjavur till 1855.<ref name="history"/><ref name="mitchellp91" /> The Marathas exercised their sovereignty over Thanjavur throughout the last quarter of the 17th and the whole of the 18th century. The Maratha rulers patronized Carnatic music. In 1787, Amar Singh, the regent of Thanjavur, deposed the minor Raja, his nephew Serfoji II (1787–93) and captured the throne. Serfoji II was restored in 1799 with the assistance of the British, who induced him to relinquish the administration of the kingdom and left him in charge of Thanjavur fort and surrounding areas. The kingdom was eventually absorbed into British India in 1855 by the Doctrine of Lapse when Shivaji II (1832–55), the last Thanjavur Maratha ruler, died without a legitimate male heir. The British referred to the city as Tanjore in their records.<ref name="history">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Five years after its annexation, the British replaced Negapatam (modern-day Nagapattinam) with Thanjavur as the seat of the district administration. Under the British, Thanjavur emerged as an important regional centre. The 1871 India census recorded a population of 52,171, making Thanjavur the third largest city in the Madras Presidency.<ref name="W.">Template:Cite book</ref> After India's independence, Thanjavur continued as the district headquarters.<ref name="about">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Geography and climateEdit

Thanjavur is located at Template:Coord<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The tributaries of river Cauvery, namely, the Grand Anaicut canal (Pudhaaru), Vadavaaru and Vennaaru rivers flow through the city. Thanjavur is situated in the Cauvery delta, at a distance of Template:Convert south-west of Chennai and Template:Convert east of Tiruchirappalli. While the plains immediately adjoining the Cauvery river have been under cultivation from time immemorial, most of Thanjavur city and the surrounding areas lie in the "New Delta" – a dry, barren upland tract which was brought under irrigation during the early 19th century.<ref name="hemingwayp261">Hemingway 1907, p. 261</ref><ref name="goughp5">Gough 1981, p. 5</ref> To the south of Thanjavur city, is the Vallam tableland, a small plateau interspersed at regular intervals by ridges of sandstone.<ref name="hemingwayp3">Hemingway 1907, p. 3</ref> The nearest seaport is Nagapattinam which is Template:Convert east of Thanjavur. The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli International Airport, located at a distance of Template:Convert. The city has an elevation of Template:Convert above mean sea level. The total area of the city is Template:Convert.<ref name="geo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:Weather box

The period from November to February in Thanjavur is pleasant, with a climate full of warm days and cool nights.<ref name="tnau">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The onset of summer is from March, with the mercury reaching its peak by the end of May and June.<ref name="tnau"/> The average temperatures range from Template:Convert in January to Template:Convert in May and June. Summer rains are sparse and the first monsoon, the South-West monsoon, commences in June and continues till September. North-East monsoon begins in October and continues till January.<ref name="tnau"/> The rainfall during the South-West monsoon period is much lower than that of the North-East monsoon.<ref name="goughp5"/> The North-East monsoon is beneficial to the district at large because of the heavy rainfall and the Western ghats (mountain ranges) feeding the river Cauvery.<ref name="tnau"/> The average rainfall is Template:Convert, most of which is contributed by the North-East monsoon.<ref name="goughp5"/>

Template:AnchorTourism and cultureEdit

File:Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.jpg
Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

Template:Further

Thanjavur is an important pilgrim centre and a major tourist destination of Tamil Nadu.<ref name="tourismtn">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> South Zone Culture Centre in Thanjavur is one of the regional cultural centres established by the Government of India to preserve and promote cultural heritage of India.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> There were 2,002,225 Indian and 81,435 foreign tourist arrivals in 2009 to Thanjavur.<ref name="tourismtn" /> The most visited monument in Thanjavur is the Brihadeeswarar Temple, whose construction, the historian Percy Brown described as "a landmark in the evolution of building art in South India".<ref name="seshadrip66">Seshadri 1998, p. 66</ref><ref name="asi">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Built in the 11th century by the Chola king Raja Raja Chola I (985–1014), the temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.<ref name="asi" /> The walls of the sanctum are covered with wall paintings from the Chola and Nayak periods.<ref name="paint">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The temple was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It is replicated in the Gangaikonda Cholesvarar Temple constructed by Raja Raja's son Rajendra Chola I (1012–44).<ref name="asi" /><ref name="unesco">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> King Raja Raja Chola memorial to have a complete makeover soon in Thanjavur.

The Thanjavur Maratha palace was the official residence of the Bhonsle family who ruled over the Thanjavur region from 1674 to 1855. It was originally constructed by the rulers of the Thanjavur Nayak kingdom and after their fall, it served as the official residence of the Thanjavur Marathas.<ref name="tourist">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> When most of the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom was annexed by the British Empire in 1799, the Thanjavur Marathas continued to hold sway over the palace and the surrounding fort. The southern side of the third quadrangle of the palace has a Template:Convert tower-like building, called the Goodagopuram.<ref name="tourist"/> Punnainallur Mariamman temple is about 7 km from Brihadeeswara temple. This temple was built by the first Maratha king of Thanjavur Venkoji in the year 1680.

The Saraswathi Mahal Library, established around 1700 and located in the premises of the palace, contains over 30,000 Indian and European manuscripts written on palm leaf and paper.<ref name="tjlib">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Over eighty per cent of its manuscripts are in Sanskrit and many of them are on palm leaves. The Tamil works include treatises on medicine, and commentaries on Sangam literature.<ref name="tourist"/> The Rajaraja Chola art gallery is located inside the palace – it has a large collection of stone and bronze images from the ninth to 12th centuries. Most of the idols present in the gallery were collected from various temples in the Thanjavur district.<ref name="various70">Various 2007, p. 70.</ref> The Sivaganga Park is situated to the east of the Brihadeeswarar Temple and encompasses the Sivaganga Tank believed to have been built by the king Raja Raja Chola. It was created as a people's park by the Tanjore municipality in 1871–72.<ref name="hemingwayp271">Hemingway 1907, p. 271</ref> It has a collection of plants, animals and birds and serves as a zoo for children within the city.<ref name="tourist"/>

File:Thanjavur, Brihadishwara Temple, dance (6851706080).jpg
Bharathanatyam, the South Indian dance form in display in Brihadeeswarar Temple
File:Rajaraja Statue.jpg
A modern statue of Rajaraja Chola I, Thanjavur

Schwartz Church, a historic monument located in the palace garden, was built in 1779 by Serfoji II as a token of affection for Rev. C.V. Schwartz of the Danish Mission.<ref name="tourist"/> There are five museums in the city, namely: Archeological Museum, Tamil University Museum located with the Tamil University premises, the Saraswathi Mahal Library Museum located inside the Saraswathi Mahal, Nayak Durbar Hall Art Museum and Rajaraja Chola Museum.<ref name="tourist"/> Raja Rajan Manimandapam is one of the tourist attractions in Thanjavur, built during the Thanjavur Tamil Conference in 1991.<ref name="tourist"/> "Sangeetha Mahal" has a permanent handicrafts exhibition centre. Thanjavur is the cradle for many of the arts and crafts in South India.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> Carnatic music was codified in Thanjavur and the art flourished during the Nayak rule in the 16th century.<ref name="Ries1969">Template:Cite journal</ref> Bharathanatyam, a classical dance form of South India, had its major styles developed in Thanjavur.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sathaya Thiruvizha is the annual birthday festival of Raja Raja Chola held during October every year.<ref>Various 2007, p. 78.</ref> Thanjavur is the base for the Tyagaraja Aradhana, a Carnatic music festival held annually during January – February at Thiruvaiyaru, located Template:Convert away from the city.<ref name="India">Singh 2009, p. 1087</ref> Thanjavur painting is a major form of classical South Indian painting from Thanjavur. It dates back to about the 1600s, the period of Nayakas of Thanjavur, who encouraged art, classical dance and music literature, both in Telugu and Tamil. The art is usually a combination of raised and painted surfaces, with the Hindu god Krishna being the most popular image depicted. In modern times, these paintings have become souvenirs of festive occasions in South India, wall decors, and collectors' items for art lovers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Dancing doll stall.jpg
Thanjavur "thalayatti bommai" stall

EconomyEdit

The major occupation of the inhabitants of the city is tourism and service-oriented industry, while the traditional occupation is agriculture.

Thanjavur is known as the "Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Paddy (unmilled rice) is the crop and the other crops grown are blackgram, banana, coconut, gingelly, ragi, red gram, green gram, sugarcane and maize. The total percentage of land fit for cultivation is 58%. There are three seasons for agriculture in Thanjavur – Kuruvai (June to September), Samba (August to January) and Thaladi (September, October to February, March).<ref name="mukho">Mukhopadhyay 1990, pp. 370–371</ref> The total rice production has been maintained at 10.615 L.M.T and 7.077 L.M.T. The city acts as a focal point for food grains transported from the adjoining areas of the Cauvery Delta. Organic farming is gradually becoming known to the farmers of Thanjavur. To maximise agricultural produce, organic farming is being implemented. Though agriculture is the main economic activity, only 7% of the population is involved in it. There is a lot of agricultural related trading that forms the key economic activity in the city.<ref name="urbaninfra45">Urban Infrastructure Report 2008, pp. 4–5</ref>

Template:Dubious span<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Thanjavur is an important centre of silk weaving in Tamil Nadu. There were 200 silk weaving units in the city in 1991 with around 80,000 people working in them. Thanjavur is also famous for the 'Thalaiyatti bommai' or 'Dancing dolls' which is a doll made from clay, wood or plastic.<ref name="urbaninfra45"/><ref name="Soundarapandian">Template:Cite book</ref> The sarees produced in the villages surrounding Thanjavur are sold in Thanjavur and neighbouring towns.<ref name="Soundarapandian"/> Increasing production costs and competition from large-scale producers have reduced the number of people involved in the production.<ref name="Soundarapandian"/> The city produces bell metal craft like Thanjavur metal plates, bronze images bowls, napkins and powder boxes made of copper and bronze. The city is a major manufacturer of pith works consisting of models of Hindu idols, mosques, garlands and other bird figurines. Manufacture of musical instruments like veena, tambura, violin, mrithamgam, thavil and kanjira is another economic activity in the city.<ref name="urbaninfra45"/>

All major nationalised banksTemplate:Broken anchor such as State Bank of India, Indian Bank, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Indian Overseas Bank and private banks like ICICI Bank, City Union Bank have their branches in Thanjavur. All these banks have their automated teller machines located in various parts of the city.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Thanjavur farmers insure additional 2.5 lakh acres in 10 days, but acreage still lower than last year.

DemographicsEdit

Template:Bar box

Template:Historical populations

According to 2011 census, Thanjavur had a population of 222,943 with a sex-ratio of 1,042 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.<ref name="dashboard">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A total of 19,860 were under the age of six, constituting 10,237 males and 9,623 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 9.22% and .21% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the city was 83.14%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.<ref name="dashboard"/> There were a total of 78,005 workers, comprising 803 cultivators, 2,331 main agricultural labourers, 2,746 in house hold industries, 65,211 other workers, 6,914 marginal workers, 110 marginal cultivators, 235 marginal agricultural labourers, 322 marginal workers in household industries and 6,247 other marginal workers.<ref name=2011census>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As per the religious census of 2011, Thanjavur (M) had 82.87% Hindus, 8.34% Muslims, 8.58% Christians, 0.01% Sikhs, 0.01% Buddhists, 0.06% Jains, 0.11% following other religions and 0.01% following no religion or did not indicate any religious preference.<ref name=religion2011>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

As of 2008, a total Template:Convert (55.4%) of the land was used for residential, Template:Convert (3.06%) for commercial, Template:Convert (2.28%) for industrial, Template:Convert (8.81%) for public & semi public, Template:Convert (2.98%) for educational and Template:Convert (27.47%) for agriculture.<ref name="urbaninfra7">Urban Infrastructure Report 2008, p. 7</ref> Tamil is the widely spoken language, with the standard dialect being Central Tamil dialect. Thanjavur Marathi and Saurashtra are other languages spoken in the city. Thanjavur is the cultural and political center of the Thanjavur Marathi people. While Hindus form the majority, the city also has a substantial population of Muslims and Christians. Roman Catholics in Thanjavur are affiliated to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tanjore and Protestants are affiliated to the Trichy–Tanjore Diocese of the Church of South India.<ref name="csi">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The workforce is predominantly involved in service industry involving trade and commerce.<ref name="tanjoredemo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> With the expansion of the city area, the opportunities for agriculture is limited and only 7% of the population is involved in it.<ref name="tanjoredemo"/>

TransportEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

The National Highways NH 83 and NH 36 pass through Thanjavur and NH 136 and NH 67 connect Thanjavur respectively with Perambalur and Thiruvurur. The city is connected with Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Chennai, Coimbatore, Erode, Karur, Tirupur, Vellore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Mysuru, Salem, Cuddalore, Viluppuram, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, Karaikal, Mannargudi, Thiruthuraipoondi, Vedaranyam, Pattukkottai, Dindigul, Oddanchatram, Palani, Pudukkottai, Karaikudi, Tirunelveli, Bengaluru, Ernakulam, Nagercoil, Tirupathi, Trivandrum and Ooty through regular bus services. Thanjavur had a single bus terminus located at the heart of the city.<ref name="road">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> An integrated bus terminus, called New Bus stand was constructed in 1997 near Raja Serfoji College to handle the passenger traffic. Thanjavur has a well-maintained sub-urban public transport system. Government and private buses operate frequently between the two bus termini and other towns and villages like Vallam, Budalur, Mohamed Bunder, Nadukkavery, Pillaiyarpatti, Vallam Pudursethi, Sengipatti, Ammapettai, Mariamman Kovil, Thiruvaiyaru and Kuruvadipatti.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The railway line connecting Tiruchirappalli Junction railway station to Chennai Egmore via Thanjavur, the Main Line is a historical line established by South Indian Railway Company in 1879.<ref name="sindianrailwayp117">Template:Cite book</ref> The Great Southern of India Railway Company (GSIR) operated a broad gauge rail service between Nagapattinam and Tiruchirapalli via Thanjavur between 1861 and 1875. During 1875 it was converted to a meter gauge line (MG line).<ref name="W."/> Modern day Thanjavur railway junction has three rail heads leading to Tiruchirapalli, Kumbakonam and Thiruvarur. Thanjavur is connected by rail with most important cities and towns in India. There are daily express trains to Chennai, Mysuru, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur, Tiruchirapalli, Salem, Karur, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Rameswaram, Tiruchendur, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, Viluppuram, Chengalpattu, Mannargudi, Bengaluru, Dindigul, Pudukkottai, Karaikudi, Sivagangai, Manamadurai and weekly trains to Pondicherry, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, Tirupati, Nellore, Itarsi, Visakhapatnam, Hubli, Vasco da Gama, Goa, Vijayawada, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Jabalpur, Satna, Katni, Allahabad, Varanasi, Jaunpur, Ayodhya, and Bhubaneswar. There are frequent passenger trains from the city to towns like Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, Tiruchirapalli, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai and Nagore, hubbali.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In the early 1990s, Thanjavur was connected with Chennai via the Vayudoot flight service, which was stopped due to poor patronage. A full-fledged air force station is operational at Thanjavur.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Thanjavur Air Force Station was to become a major air base by 2012, to handle Fighter, Transport aircraft and also refuelling aircraft.<ref name="tj airforce">Template:Cite news</ref> However, the inauguration of the Thanjavur Air Force Station took place on 27 May 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Thanjavur Air Force Station bases a squadron of its Sukhoi Su-30 Supermaneuverability Fighter aircraft at Thanjavur, making it the first fighter squadron in Tamil Nadu.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli International Airport. The nearest Seaport is located at Nagapattinam.

Administration and politicsEdit

Municipal Corporational Officials
Mayor citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Commissioner citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Deputy Mayor citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Elected Members
Member of Legislative Assembly citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Member of Parliament S Murasoli

The municipality of Tanjore was created in 1866 as a third grade municipality as per Town Improvements Act 1865 and initially consisted of 12 members. The number was increased to 18 in 1879 and 24 in 1883. In 1897, the members were empowered to elect a Municipal Chairperson to lead them. Tanjore was upgraded to a second grade municipality in 1933, first grade in 1943 and a special grade in 1983. The functions of the municipality are devolved into six departments: General, Engineering, Revenue, Public Health, Town planning and the Computer Wing. All these departments are under the control of a Municipal Commissioner who is the supreme executive head.<ref name="organizationalchart">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The legislative powers are vested in a body of 52 members, one each from the 52 wards. The legislative body is headed by an elected chairperson assisted by a deputy chairperson.<ref name="economicweeklyp2396">Template:Cite book</ref>

On 10 April 2013, the state government announced in the Assembly that Thanjavur municipality will be upgraded to a Municipal corporation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Thanjavur to be upgraded as City Municipal Corporations">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Thanjavur City Corporation is likely to have an area of Template:Convert of area, with a population of 3,20,828 and an income of Template:INRConvert. The villages Pudupattinam, Nanjikottai, Neelagiri, Melaveli, Pillaiyarpatti, Ramanathapuram, Pallieri, Vilar and Inathukanpatti are likely to be added to the municipal corporation limits.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Thanjavur became City Corporation on 10 April 2014.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Thanjavur comes under the Thanjavur State Assembly Constituency and it elects a member to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly once every five years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="const_map">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> From the 1977 elections, the assembly seat was won by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) six times during the 1977, 1980, 1989, 1996, 2001 and 2006 elections, the Indian National Congress party once during the 1984 elections and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) twice during the 1991 and 2011 elections.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="MLA of Thanjavur"/> M. Karunanidhi, who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for a record five terms, was elected from the Thanjavur assembly constituency in the 1962 elections.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Thanjavur is also a part of the Thanjavur Lok Sabha constituency and elects a member to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India, once every five years.<ref name="const_map" /><ref name="Rit">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Lok Sabha seat has been held by the Indian National Congress for Seven terms during 1951–56,<ref name="1952electionresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 1957–62,<ref name="1957electionresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 1962–1967,<ref name="1962electionresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 1980–84, 1984–1989,<ref name="1984electionresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 1989–91<ref name="1989electionresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and 1991–96,<ref name="1991electionresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for Seven terms during 1967–71,<ref name="1967electionresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 1971–77,<ref name="1971electionresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 1996–98, 1998–99,<ref name="1998electionresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 1999–04,<ref name="1999electionresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 2004–09<ref name="2004electionresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and 2009–present<ref name="2009elections">Template:Cite book</ref> and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for one term during 1977–80.<ref name="1977electionresults">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> R. Venkataraman, who served as the President of India from 1987 to 1992, was elected from the Thanjavur Lok Sabha constituency in the 1951 elections.<ref name="1952electionresults"/>

Law and order in the city is maintained by the Thanjavur subdivision of the Tamil Nadu Police, headed by a Deputy Superintendent (DSP). The Thanjavur district level police administration is headed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police, whose office is located in the city.<ref name="district police"/> There are six police stations in the city, one of them being an all-women police station.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Some special units include prohibition enforcement, district crime, social justice and human rights, district crime records and a special branch that operates at the district level police division headed by a Superintendent of Police (SP).<ref name="district police">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

EducationEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

File:Thanjavur-med-college-thehindu.jpg
Thanjavur Medical College

Thanjavur has a total of four Universities, namely the Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science & Technology, PRIST University, SASTRA University and Tamil University.<ref name="LIST OF DEEMED UNIVERSITIES">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Tamil University is a state run institute, started during 1981 and obtained its statutory recognition from the University Grants Commission in 1983. It is the only one of its kind for the Tamil language doing higher research in Tamilology and advanced study in various allied branches like linguistics, translation, lexicography, music, drama and manuscriptology.<ref name="ranchi new">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Thanjavur has a total of 15 arts, science & management colleges and nine engineering colleges.<ref name="ranchi new"/> The Thanjavur Medical College was established in 1961 and is one of the oldest medical colleges in Tamil Nadu.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Paddy Processing Research Centre (PPRC), which later became the Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology in 2017, is a hub for food processing research.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Saraswati Mahal Library which dates back to the end of the 16th century and the Central Library, managed by the district administration are the two most prominent libraries in the city.<ref name="tjlib"/>

There are 20 registered schools in Thanjavur, catering to the primary, secondary and higher secondary educational needs of the city.<ref name="educationlist">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> St. Peter's Higher Secondary School at Thanjavur was established by Rev. C F Schwartz during 1784. Originally established as a college, it was the first school in South India which taught English to the local populace. St. Antony's Higher Secondary School, established in 1885 by the Diocese of Thanjavur, is one of the oldest schools in Thanjavur district. Christian Missionaries played a prominent role in promoting English education in Thanjavur.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Kalyanasundaram Higher Secondary School, established in 1891, is one of the oldest schools in the city.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Utility servicesEdit

Electricity supply to Thanjavur is regulated and distributed by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). The city along with its suburbs is a part of Trichy Electricity Distribution Circle.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Water supply is provided by the Thanjavur Corporation from the Vadavar Canal, supplied through overhead tanks located in various parts of the city. During the 2000–01 period, a total of 31 million litres of water was supplied every day for households in the city.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

About 110 metric tonnes of solid waste are collected from Thanjavur every day by door-to-door collection and subsequently the source segregation and dumping is carried out by the sanitary department of the Thanjavur Corporation. The coverage of solid waste management had an efficiency of 100% as of 2001.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The underground drainage system covers 70% of the city and the remaining sewerage system for disposal of sullage is through septic tanks, open drains and public conveniences.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The corporation maintains a total of Template:Convert of storm water drains: Template:Convert surfaced drains and Template:Convert unlined drains.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Neo tidel park announced in newly added city pillayarpatti

There are 37 hospitals and seven clinical labs in Thanjavur that take care of the health care needs of the citizens.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> There are a total of 9,745 street lamps: 492 sodium lamps, 2,061 mercury vapour lamps, 7,180 tube lights and twelve high-mast beam lamps.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The corporation operates three markets, namely the Serfoji Market, Amarar Swaminathan Market and Kamaraj Market and another market, the Subramaniya Swami Koil Market, is maintained by the Subramania Swami Temple authority.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Thanjavur comes under the Thanjavur Telecom circle of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India's state-owned telecom and internet services provider. Apart from telecom, BSNL also provides broadband internet service.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Regional Passport office, Trichy, operates a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) in Thanjavur, which PSK covers the Nagappattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, and Ariyalur revenue districts.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

VillagesEdit

Some villages around Thanjavur city and comes under Thanjavur metropolitan area are

See alsoEdit

NotesEdit

FootnotesEdit

  • <templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^{{#if:| }} The municipalities in Tamil Nadu are graded special, selection, grade I and grade II based on income and population.

CitationsEdit

Template:Reflist

ReferencesEdit

Template:Refbegin

Template:Refend

External linksEdit

Template:Sister project

Template:Municipalities of Tamil Nadu Template:Thanjavur District Template:Authority control Template:Good article