Category: History

Before the Big Temple: What Was Thanjavur Like 1,000 Years Ago? Stand in front of the Brihadisvara Temple today and it is easy to imagine that the history of Thanjavur began with this extraordinary monument. It did not. The temple was completed in the early 11th century during the reign of Rajaraja Chola I. UNESCO […]

The Lost Rivers and Canals of Thanjavur  Introduction: How Water Shaped the City When people think of Thanjavur, they usually think of the Brihadisvara Temple, Chola architecture, Thanjavur paintings, classical music, fertile paddy fields and the Cauvery. But there is another story running quietly underneath all of them. It is the story of water. Long […]

Thanjavur Treasure in Denmark Denmark’s King Christian IV, Thanjavur’s Raghunatha Nayakkar, and the Tharangambadi Treasury: A Tale of Diplomacy, Trade, and Cultural Exchange   Introduction The early 17th century was a time of vibrant trade and international relationships, bringing Europe into contact with many regions of India. Among these interactions was an important and often […]