King Serfoji ll

MAHARAJAH SERFOJI ll

The most famous and lasting rule was that of King Serfoji ll, who ascended the throne in A.D. 1798. By this time, the British had veritably ruled most of India and Thanjavur had to be handed over to the British throne. King Serfoji was deprived of all power. The revenue and judicial systems were taken over by the Company, leaving Serfoji a mere titular head. King Tulajaji adopted little Serfoji, born in the royal Bhosale family, with all the relevant legal procedures before his death. Rev. Christian Fredrich Schwartz, a Dutch missionary was appointed as the teacher and guide. King Serfoji was trained and tutored in St. George School, Madras under the direct supervision of Rev. Schwartz and in course of time became a scholar in his own right. King Serfoji devoted his life to the pursuit of culture, and Tanjavur became renowned as a center for learning. His Sarasvati Mahal Library was endowed with manuscripts collected from all over India and books from all over the world. This library boasted of treatises on Vedanta, grammar, music, training of elephants and horses etc. (His scientific bent of mind is demonstrated by his collection of various instruments like the air pump, electric machine, an ivory human skeleton etc. apart from his avid collection of books and manuscripts). King Serfoji was more than a bibliophile. He established the Dhanvantari Mahal where physicians of Allopathy, Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha researched their systems of medicine (He had the important herbs studied and catalogued in the form of exquisite hand paintings). King Serfoji patronized music, dance and the fine arts. All in all, the Maratha rule in Tanjavur encouraged a golden period before its eventual culmination at the hands of the British. The two hundred years of Maratha rule left behind a rich legacy of art, music and architecture, the aroma of which still lingers within the city structures. "