Thanjavur- தஞ்சாவூர் எங்க மாவட்டம்

hanjavur தஞ்சாவூர் , formerly Tanjore, is a municipality and the headquarters of the Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The name Thanjavur is derived from "Tanjan", a legendary asura in Hindu mythology. Thanjavur is one of the ancient cities in India and has a long and varied history dating back to the Sangam period. The town was founded by Mutharayar king Swaran Maran and rose to prominence during the rule of the Later Cholas when it served as the capital of the Chola empire. After the fall of the Cholas, the city was ruled by various dynasties like Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks, Thanjavur Marathas and British. It has been a part of independent India since 1947.

Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian 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 the Great Living Chola temples, the Brihadeeswara Temple, is located in the center of the city. Thanjavur is also the home of the Tanjore painting, a painting style unique to the region. The city is an important agricultural center located at the heart of the region, known as the Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu. South Zone Culture Centre in Thanjavur is one of many regional cultural centres established by Indian Government to preserve and promote traditional cultural heritage of India. It had a population of a 2,90,732 in 2011.

Thanjavur is well-connected by roads and railways with other parts of India and with cities and towns in Tamil Nadu. The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli International Airport located at a distance of 56 kilometres. The nearest seaport is Nagapattinam which is 84 kilometres (52 mi) from Thanjavur.

Etymology

The name Thanjavur is believed to have been derived from "Tanjan", an asura in Hindu mythology, who is believed to have to have been killed at this spot by the Hindu god Vishnu. Also the name is believed to have been derived from Than-sei-oor, it means the place is surrounded by rivers and green paddy fields. The name also may have came from the word seeking asylum (Thanjam) as the Chola king Karikalan had to shift the capital as sea inundated their capital city Poompuhar.

History

Thanjavur town in 1955

There are no references to Thanjavur in any of the Sangam period records though some scholars believe that the city has been existing since then. Kovil Venni, situated at a distance of 15 miles to the east of Thanjavur, was the site of the Battle of Venni between Karikala and a confederacy of the Cheras and the Pandyas. The Cholas seemed to have faced an invasion of the Kalabhras in the 3rd century AD after which the kingdom faded into obscurity. The region around the present-day Thanjavur was conquered by the Mutharayars in the 6th century CE and ruled up to 849 AD.

The Chola Empire 850-1279 AD

The Cholas came once more into prominence through the rise of the Medieval Chola monarch Vijayalaya in about 850 AD. Vijayalaya conquered Thanjavur from mutharayar king Elango Mutharayar and built a temple to the Hindu goddess Nisumbhasudani at this place. His son Aditya I consolidated their hold over the city. The Rashtrakuta king Krishna II, a contemporary of the Chola king Parantaka I claims to have conquered Thanjavur but there exists no evidence to support his claim. Gradually, Thanjavur became the greatest and most important city in the Chola Empire and remained its capital till the construction of Gangaikonda Cholapuram in about 1025 AD.

During the first decade of the eleventh century AD, the Chola king Raja Raja Chola I constructed the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur. The temple is considered to be one of the best specimens of South Indian temple architecture.

When the Chola Empire began to decline in the 13th century AD, the Pandyas from the south invaded and captured Thanjavur twice, the first in 1218-19 and the second in 1230. During the second invasion, the Chola king Rajaraja III was driven out of his kingdom and sought the help of the Hoysala king Narasimha to get it back. Thanjavur was eventually annexed along with the rest of the Chola kingdom by the Pandya king Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I in 1279 AD and the Chola kings were forced to accept the suzerainty of the Pandyas. The Pandyas ruled Thanjavur from 1279 AD to 1311 AD when their kingdom was raided and annexed by Malik Kafur and the forces of the Delhi Sultanate.

Medieval Period 1279-1556 AD

From 1311 to 1335, the Sultanate extend its authority directly over the conquered regions and then through the semi-independent Ma'bar Sultanate from 1335 to 1378. During the second half of the fourteenth century AD, the Ma'bar Sultanate was steadily absorbed into the rising Vijayanagar Empire. There exists virtually no record of Thanjavur from this period. Later in 1535, the Vijayanagara king installed a Nayak king hence the era of Tanjore Nayaks which lasted till the mid-17th century, until the city was attacked by the Madurai Nayaks. It later slipped into the hands of Marathas.

Tanjore was conquered by the Marathas in 1674 under Venkoji, the half-brother of Shivaji the Great. His successors ruled as Maharajas of Tanjore. The British first came into contact with Tanjore by their expedition in 1749 intending to the restore a deposed king of Tanjore Nayak lineage. In this they failed, and a subsequent expedition was bought off. The Maratha rajas held Tanjore until 1799.

In October 1799, the district was ceded to the British East India Company in absolute sovereignty by Raja Serfoji II, a pupil of the missionary Schwartz. The Raja retained only the capital and a small tract of surrounding country. He died in 1833 and was succeeded by his son Sivaji, who died in 1855 without an heir.

Geography and climate

Thanjavur is located at 10°48′N 79°09′E / 10.8°N 79.15°E It is situated in the Cauvery delta, at a distance of 314 kilometres (195 mi) south-west of Chennai and 56 kilometres (35 mi) east of Tiruchirappalli. Though most of Thanjavur district is a level plain watered by the Kaveri and tributaries, the taluk of Thanjavur is made up mostly of barren uplands sloping towards the east. To the south of Thanjavur town, is the Vallam tableland, a small plateau insterspersed at regular intervals by ridges of sandstone. The nearest seaport in Nagapattinam which is 84 kilometres (52 mi) east of Thanjavur. The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli International Airport located at a distance of 56 kilometres. The town has an elevation of 57 metres above mean sea level. The total area of the city is 36 km2.

The urban agglomeration encompasses Vallam to Mariamman Koil (west - east) and Vayalur to the Air Force Station (north-south) for an area of about 100 km2.

The Grand Anaicut Canal (Pudhaaru), Vadavaaru and Vennaaru rivers flow through the city.

Places of interest

Thanjavur is famous for the Brahadishwara Temple (or Brahadeeswara temple) built by Rajaraja Chola during the 11th century. The Brahadishwara Temple, also known as the Big Temple, is one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temple is enclosed in two courts, surmounted by a lofty tower and including the exquisitely decorated shrine of Murugan. Among the other historic buildings is the Vijayanagara fort, which contains a palace that was expanded by the Maratha king Serfoji II with an armoury, a Bell Tower and the Saraswathi Mahal Library, which contains over 30,000 Indian and European manuscripts written on palm leaf and paper. Also built by Serfoji II is the Manora Fort, a monumental tower and The Akshayapureeswarar Temple(Poosam star Temple), Vilangulam (Near by East Coast Road) these are situated about 65 km away from Thanjavur. The then "Sangeetha Mahal" has been converted to a handicrafts exhibition centre now which has handicrafts from local artisans. Raja Rajan Manimandapam is also one of the tourist attractions in Thanjavur. Thanjavur is only second to Chennai in attracting more tourists (forgien tourist).

Arts and culture

Tanjore doll

Tanjore became a major cultural center during the 18th & 19th centuries, under the Maratha rule. Figure depicts a Tanjore painting from this era.

Thanjavur is the cradle for many of the arts and crafts in south India. Carnatic music as we know it today was codified in Thanjavur as was Bharathanatyam. Thanjvur, both the town and district supported several crafts.

Economy

Paddy field in Thanjavur district

Thanjavur's economy is mainly agro-based. The city acts as a focal point for food grains transported from the adjoining areas of the Cauvery Delta. The city also has some medium and small-scale enterprises. Tourism constitutes a major portion of the city's revenue.

Agriculture in Thanjavur is the main source of livelihood for most of its people. Agricultural Cultivation has been the major occupation of the local inhabitants of Thanjavur as the land is ideal for growing crops like Rice. The maximum portion of Thanjavur land is used up for cultivation and agriculture. The total percentage of land fit for cultivation is 58%. The city of Thanjavur consists of tertiary, alluvial and cretaceous types of soil. The major portion of Thanjavur land consists of alluvial deposits. The eastern region of Thanjavur abounds in alluvial type of soil fit for agriculture. This region thereby produces the maximum number of crops. Organic farming is gradually being known to the farmers of Thanjavur. In order to maximize agricultural produce organic farming is being implemented.

Thanjavur is known as the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu. The Major crops other than Paddy are Blackgram, Banana, Coconut, Gingelly, Ragi, Red gram, Green gram, Sugarcane, Maize. Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT) is located in Thanjavur on Madurai National Highway (NH 226). The Institute tests a variety of Food Processing Technologies that suit cultivation of the crops and Consumers. The institute conducts many training programs and also delivers training to Research Scholars every year. There is much scope for implementing Agro, Food Processing, Packaging based industries, distilleries, breweries in and around the City. Thanjavur is a deltaic region where rice is the major food crop that is grown in the fields. Rice production has increased in the recent years. Rice is exported to neighbouring states, further boosting the economy of Thanjavur. The total rice production has been maintained at 10.615 L.M.T and 7.077 L.M.T.

Demographics

Historical populations

Year Pop. ±%

1871 52,171 —

1881 54,745 +4.9%

1891 54,390 −0.6%

1901 57,870 +6.4%

1911 60,341 +4.3%

1921 59,913 −0.7%

1931 66,889 +11.6%

1941 68,702 +2.7%

1951 100,680 +46.5%

1961 111,099 +10.3%

1971 140,547 +26.5%

1981 184,015 +30.9%

1991 202,013 +9.8%

2001 215,725 +6.8%

2011 290,732 +34.8%

Sources:

• 1871 - 1901: Imperial Gazette of India, Volume 23. Clarendon Press. 1908.

• 1901 - 2001: "Population growth". Thanjavur municipality website. http://www.municipality.tn.gov.in/thanjavur/sal-pop.htm.

Thanjavur is the 11th largest city in Tamil Nadu with a population of 2,21,185 (est. 2008). Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Thanjavur has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 76%. In Thanjavur, 8.9% of the population is under 6 years of age. Tamil is the most widely spoken language. The standard dialect is the Central Tamil dialect. Telugu, Thanjavur Marathi and Saurashtra are also spoken. The population can easily adopt and accept new economic development. Thanjavur is the cultural and political center of the Thanjavur Marathi people. Hindus form the majority. The town has a substantial population of Muslims and Christians.

Transport in Thanjavur

Pudukkottai Road in Thanjavur City( This Road Going to My Hometown)

Thanjavur is well-connected with Chennai, Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Kumbakonam, Pattukkottai, Pudukkottai, Tirunelveli, Bangalore, Ernakulam, Nagercoil, Tirupathi, Thiruvananthapuram, Ooty and Mysore through regular bus services. Previously, Thanjavur had a single bus terminus located at the heart of the city. The National Highways 67, 45C, 226 and 226 Extn pass through the city. Recently, a new integrated bus terminus has been constructed outside the city limits in order to handle the passenger traffic. Thanjavur also 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, Pillaiyarpatti, Vallam Pudursethi, Sengipatti,Vadakkur North and Kuruvadipatti.

Thanjavur is an important railway junction in the Southern Railway Zone. Thanjavur is well connected by rail with most important cities and towns in India. There are daily trains to Chennai, Bangalore, Mysore, Ernakulam, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Salem, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Rameswaram, Tiruchendur and weekly trains to other destinations like Goa, yeshvantpur, Hubli, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Vizianagaram, Nagpur, Jabalpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Bhubaneshwar.

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 which stations several Fighter (aircraft) including Sukhoi jets. The nearest International Airport is at Tiruchirappalli.

Thanjavur has a well-developed transport infrastructure. Thanjavur is well connected by Road, Rail and Air with most cities and towns in India, Being one of the 13 Maritime District of Tamil Nadu waterways through sea is also possible.

Road

Crowded bus in Thanjavur city

Thanjavur is well-connected with Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Pudukkottai, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Kumbakonam, Pattukkottai, Bangalore, Ernakulam, Marthandam, Nagercoil, Tirupathi, Thiruvananthapuram, Ooty and Mysore through regular bus services. Previously, Thanjavur had a single bus terminus located at the heart of the city. However, recently a new bus terminus has been constructed outside the city limits in order to handle the passenger traffic. Thanjavur also has a well-maintained domestic public transport system. Government and private buses operate frequently between Old Bus Stand and New Bus Stand and between Old Bus Stand and outlying towns as Vallam and Budalur and villages as Pillaiyarpatti, Vallam Pudursethi, Sengipatti and Kuruvadipatti. There are also minibus services between Old Bus Stand and Reddipalayam and share auto services along the Thanjavur-Trichy national highway.

National Highways

• NH-67: Nagapattinam - Tiruvarur - Thanjavur - Tiruchirappalli - Karur - Coimbatore - Ooty - Intersection of NH-212 in Karnataka

• NH-45C: Thanjavur - Kumbakonam - Neyveli - Panruti - Vikkravandi NH-45

• NH-226: Thanjavur - Pudukottai - Tirupattur - Sivagangai - Manamadurai

• NH-226 Extn: Thanjavur - Ariyalur - Perambalur NH-45

Bus Stands

Old Bus Stand

There are four bus stands in Thanjavur city. They are,

• Moufusil Bus Stand.

• City Bus Stand (near Anna Statue).

• Town Bus Stand (opp. Jos alukkas jewellery shop).

• SETC Bus Stand (behind city bus stand).

• Vallam Bus Stand.

• Thiruvaiyaru Bus Stand.

• Budalur Bus Stand.

• Thirukkattupalli.

Thanjavur New Bustand

Thanjavur Road Network

Class Length (km)

National Highways/Expressways 120.921

State Highways 365.536

Corporation and Municipal Roads 490.003

Panchayt Union and Panchayat Road 5536.11

Town Panchayat Roads 432.826

Dist.Major & Other Roads 1745.842

Forest Roads 1.3

Total (approx) 8692.538

Rail

Thanjavur(Code : TJ) is an important railway junction of Southern Railways. Thanjavur is connected by rail with most important cities and towns in India. This district has 122.07 Kilometers of Broad gauge railway lines with 20 Railway stations connecting Thanjavur to Major centres in the state.Thanjavur is also reachable by train from other Indian cities. 'Thanjavur Junction' is the station to alight. There are daily trains from/to Chennai, Bangalore, Mysore, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Erode, Tirupur, Tiruchirapalli, Salem, Karur, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Rameswaram, Dharmapuri and weekly trains to Tiruchendur, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Vizianagaram, Nagpur, Jabalpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Bhubaneshwar and to all main cities. For train timings and on-line reservations (within India) visit the IRCTC's website.

There are railway stations/halts in the city

AIR

Thanjavur Air Force Station

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 which stations several Fighter (aircraft) including Sukhoi jets. The Air Force Station is set to start function as a major Air base. The nearest International Airport is the Tiruchirapalli International Airport which is about 50 km from the city.

Thanjavur Sivagangai Park

thanjavur palace

mani mandapam