Thanjavur : The Royal City of Chola and Nayak

Thanjavur (aka Tanjore) is the royal city of Chola and Nayak. Thanjavur the name of a Tanjan-Asura (giant), which is according to local legend devastated the area and was killed by Sri Anandavalli Amman and Vishnu. Sri Neelamegapperumal Tanjan application past the city could be named in his honor has been granted. Chola, Chera and Pandya kings were in power before the period of Mahabharat Tamizhagam.

Chola Kingdom led to the hoity-toity literature, art, science and religion than the other two of the kingdom. The capital of Chola was always changing. Thiruvarur was the capital of the Chola Manuneethi. Uraiyur, Pazhaiyarai, Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram used to be the capital of the Chola kingdom. It is believed that the epics that many Chola kings were ruling well before Kari Kala Cholas of Thanjavur.

Historians believe that Thanjavur was captured by Vijayalaya Cholan (AD 846-880) of Perumpidugu Muttaraiyan. From there until Rajaraja Cholan, Thanjavur was flourishing. Chola kings were in power in the 13th century AD with Thanjavur as their capital. Rajendra Cholan, Rajarajan sun turns the Chola capital to Gangaikonda Cholapuram. After that Chola Kingdom began to decline and Pandya Kings captured Thanjavur.

The former Viceroy of Vijayanagar assumed independence and founded the dynasty of the Thanjavur Nayaks. Thanjavur Nayaks capital further in the next 125 years until Vijayaraghava - the last line of the Principality - died tragically. His general Alagi close fourteen. Nayak Sengamaladas pretenses, a child brought a king Vijayaraghava Bijapur boy and his general.

General Venkaji alias Ekoji was a half brother of Sivaji the Great. He won the Alagi and seized the throne in 1676 because of disagreement Nayaks. King said Mahrattas Thanjavur as the capital of 170-9 years. English first intervention in 1749 AD, in order to restore the deposed king, Saiyaji.

Among the various rulers of Thanjavur, the Cholas seem to have abandoned the great temple of Sri Bragatheeswara a remarkable relic of his genius. The temple stands proudly in the fort, commonly called the Sivaganga Fort, ascribed to the large Sevvappa Nayak and around the city and the palace was built for the past Vijayaraghavan. These two forts could be to restore the earlier chola fortifications.