The Maratha Kingdom of Thanjavur, also known as Tanjore, was a small yet historically significant state in South India. It was innovated in 1674 by Vyankoji( also known as Venkaji or Ekoji I), the youngish family of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj however a many literal sources describe him as Shivaji’s son. Vyankoji established the Thanjavur Maratha dynasty, which ruled the region until its annexation by the British in 1855.

Thanjavur itself is one of the oldest continuously inhabited metropolises in India, with its history stretching back to the Sangam age. Over centuries, it served as the capital of important South Indian dynasties similar as the Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagara autocrats, and latterly the Madurai and Thanjavur Nayaks. When the Marathas arrived, they inherited a region rich in culture, armature, and tabernacle traditions, dominated by the majestic Brihadeeswara Temple, erected by the Cholas.

Vyankoji ruled from 1674 to 1686, laying the foundation of Maratha authority in the south. After him, his youthful son Shahji I mounted the throne, followed by autocrats similar as Sarabhoji I and Tukoji, whose deaths led to a brief period of insecurity and palace conspiracy between 1735 and 1738. This phase saw the rise of important ministers, fakers to the throne, and indeed foreign involvement, particularly by the French.

Stability was restored under Pratap Singh( 1739 – 1763), who successfully ended the lawlessness and maintained Maratha control against both internal and external pitfalls. latterly autocrats, including Tulsaji and Sarabhoji II, governed during a time when European powers were expanding their influence in India. In 1784, Thanjavur suffered heavily when Tipu Sultan of Mysore attacked and despoiled the region during his wars with the British.

In 1799, Sarabhoji II ceded utmost of his home to the British East India Company, retaining only the megacity and girding areas. The final sovereign , Shivaji II, failed without a natural heir at law in 1855. As the British refused to honor relinquishment, Thanjavur was adjoined under the Doctrine of Lapse.

Although political power ended, the Thanjavur Maratha royal line continued as a heritable and artistic heritage, leaving a lasting imprint on South Indian history, art, literature, and administration.