Thanjavur has been renowned as
a great center of Art, Culture and Literature for more than ten centuries.
Successive generations of the Cholas, Nayaks and Maratha rulers have
contributed and enriched the cultural greatness. Thanjavur is well known throughout
the world for its Brahadeeswar Temple, magnificent Palace and the Sarasvati
Mahal Library. The Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji's Sarasvati Mahal Library is one among the few medieval
libraries exist in the world. It is an unbounded repository of culture and
inexhaustible treasure house of knowledge built up by the successive dynasties
of Nayaks and Marathas of Thanjavur. It contains very rare and valuable
collection of manuscripts, books, maps and paintings on all aspects of Arts, Culture
and Literature. The encyclopedia of Britannica in its survey of Libraries of
World mentions this as "the most
remarkable Library in India".
HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY
During the reign of Nayaks of
Thanjavur (1535-1675), the Library was formed and developed in the name of
Sarasvati Bhandar. The Maratha rulers who ruled Thanjavur (1676-1832) has
patronized and developed the royal palace Library. Among the Maratha Kings,
Raja Serfoji II (1798- 1832) was an eminent scholar in many branches of learning.
With great enthusiasm he took special steps for the enrichment of the Library. After
Serfoji, his son Shivaji II and his daughter-in-laws maintained
ADMINISTRATION
After the death of last Maratha queen,
the Library was made as public Library in 1918 under the Charitable Endowment
Act. After the visit of our former Prime Minister Mrs.Indira Gandhi, Government
of India has constituted a three-member committee under the chairmanship of
Dr.S.R.Ranganathan. Accordingly to the report in 1983, the Library was declared
as an Institution of National importance and made it as a Registered Society
with ex-officio members of Central and State Governments, nominated Scholars,
Members from the Royal family.
MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS:
This library has richest collection of manuscripts that truly reflective
of the history and culture of India. In addition to this and over the passage
of time, the library has also gained possession of manuscript collections
formerly maintained by pandits and their patrons living in and around
Thanjavur. The manuscripts are available both on palm leaf and paper. These are
written in Sanskrit, Tamil, Marathi and Telugu and deal with a wide range of
subjects Apart from Manuscripts this library has rare books, paintings,
drawings, artifacts etc.,
Sanskrit Manuscript collection:
A
majority of the manuscripts in the library numbering thirty nine thousand are
in Sanskrit. These manuscripts are written in Grantham, Devanagari,
Nandinagari, Tikalari and Telugu scripts. Some of the outstanding Sanskrit
works, unique to this library deserve a special mention. Amongst these, some of
the most valuable ones are rare lexicons, the grammar of a rare dialect called Bhandira
Bhasha, a play written by King Krishnadevaraya title Jambavatiparinaya,
poetess Ramabhdramba’s biographical poem on her patron King Raghunatha Nayak, a
work on temple architecture and Viswakarmiyavastu Sastra on construction
of houses respectively may also be found here. Two texts in this section which
show the scholar’s mastery of the language and grammar are Shabdartha
Chintamani and the Kathatrayi of Chidamabarakavi. In Shabdartha
Chintamani, the poet uses several rare techniques of writing. Reading the
stanza from left to right, we find ourselves reading Ramayana and reading the
same stanza from right to left, we come across the story of Krishna. His other
work Kathatrai narrates stories from Ramayana and Bhagavatam. This
library has a large number of manuscripts on music and dance, ayurveda medicine
architecture and manuscripts on Kshetramahatmiyas, the puranic accounts
of the sanctity and legends attached to great shines and sacred villages and
towns found in the Cauvery delta.
Tamil Manuscripts:
The Tamil Manuscript Section
comprises of the rare works belonging to the Imperial Chola period are written
in manipravala style. The medical manuscripts written by the Tamil scholars
like Kottaiyur Sivakolundu Desikar were based on the process made in the
Dhanvantri Mahal Hospital. Sivarahasyam, which was written during Serfoji II,
is one of the oldest Tamil Manuscripts; Kumbakona-p-puranam and Sarabhendra
Bhoopala Kuravanji are the notable manuscripts. The 18th century
"Kambaramayanam" palm leaf manuscripts with 537 leaves and seven
khandas is also a typical one. Some
Sthala Purana manuscripts give historical information’s about temples and
places.
Marathi Manuscripts
The Marathi Paper Manuscripts
collected during the reign of Marathas of Thanjavur i.e from 1676 to 1855 A.D
are preserved in this Library. Marathi Manuscripts from Pandits, Mutts and
Scholars were received as donation and preserved. They are classified into many
subjects like Philosophy, Literature, Drama, Music, Lexicon, Medicine, Science
etc., The Marathi Manuscripts in palm leaf are written in Telugu script. They
deal with Marathi dramas. The works composed by the poets of Thanjavur are
unique to Marathi literature. Dasabodham by Bhaktha Ramadas, commentary
on the Bhagavad gita by Amber Hussain, a Muslim Poet, Several manuscripts
related to music, dance and drama are available in this library.
Telugu Manuscripts:
The Telugu Manuscript section has manuscripts on Padya Kavyas, Dvipada
Kavyas, Satakas, Yakshaganas, Astrology, Medical etc., are there in this
section. The works of Nannaiya, Tikkanna, Bodanna, Krishnadevaraya,
Vijayaraghava Nayak are also available. There is the most valuable collection
of manuscripts particularly relating to the Southern School of Telugu
literature.
Modi
documents:
Modi
is a type of script used for writing the Marathi court language during the
Maratha rulers of Maharashtra as well as Thanjavur. They are all paper
manuscripts. Letter correspondences, orders, daily accounts, diaries, petitions
etc., were written in Modi script. There are 1300 Bundles of Modi documents in
the Library, Thanjavur.
Documents related to French-Maratha correspondence and Royal
correspondences during 18th century are available in polished
handmade papers with gold and silver spray works. There are the rare and
important documents. Selected Modi documents are transcribed and translated for
publication. These are the only indigenous source materials for the history of
the Marathas of Thanjavur.
REFERENCE BOOKS:
Along
with manuscripts, the library also has rare printed books.The Book
collection of this Library started by the King Serfoji II. He himself collected
nearly 4500 books in English, French, Latin, Italian etc., from foreign
countries. Later books were added to this Library since 1918 A.D., Now, the
Reference Books section has more than 65,000 books in English, Tamil, Sanskrit,
Marathi, Hindi, Telugu and other Indian languages.
Raja Serfoji
enriched this library by collecting not only manuscripts but also Books,
Illustrated Manuscripts, Drawings, Atlases and Maps, Lithographic engravings,
etc., Because of his multi-focal attraction he collected a large number of
books in European languages. Now this Library has 3830 English books, 421
French books, 108 German books 35 Danish books and few books in Dutch, Greek,
Latin languages. Serfoji has autographed all the books in his collection. These
books mostly printed in London, Edinburgh, Paris and the year printing spanned
from 1696 to 1830. These books dealt with all disciplines.
It has
the richest collection on European languages and literatures, Medical Sciences,
Chemistry, Astronomy Geography, Explorations and Voyages, English Almanacs,
Periodicals, Encyclopaedias etc., This collection has some rare and first
editions of highly valued books.
SERFOJI’S CONTRIBUTION
TO THE LIBRARY:
Raja Serfoji
II was born on 24-9-1777 and had his education under the guidance of Danish
missionary father Schwartz. He was a scholar in English, French, Germany,
Sanskrit, Tamil and Marathi languages. He came to power in 1798, In 1799, He
had a treaty with the British. According to the treaty the British appointed
Collector for administration; he diverted his activities for the development of
art and culture till his death in 8th March 1832.
In India
most of the Palace Libraries were destroyed due to war. The famous King Tippu
Sultan had a Library, after the war with Tippu in 1799 the books were taken
away by the British. Before removing the
books, a catalogue was prepared by Charles Stewart, a professor of Cambridge
University. A copy of the Tippu Sultan’s Library catalogue is available in this
library. The Catalogue has information about “Memoirs of Hyder Ali khan and
Tippu Sultan. It seems that Raja
Serfoji’s decision of making accord with British administrators helped to
preserve this treasure house of knowledge.
Serfoji
enriched the collection of this Library through various literary activities. He
himself was author of quite a number of works in Sanskrit and Marathi. These
manuscripts are preserved in this Library. He encouraged great Pandits in all
branches of learning. The Pandits well versed in Dharmasastra were appointed as
Judges in his court of Justice. The Pandits compiled A legal vade macum
entitled “Vyavahara Prakasa” from various smiriti texts for daily use in the
conduct of administration and Justice.
Travel to Banaras
Raja Serfoji
made a pilgrimage to Banaras in 1820. He took 300 people along with him, which
includes Pandits, copyists, artists and others. He employed Pandits to collect,
buys and copy a vast number of works in Sanskrit from all the renowned centers
of Sanskrit learning in the North and other areas. He commissioned his artist
to draw the views of sixty-four bathing ghats of Banaras from East to West of
the river Ganges in eight plates which is available in this Library.
Printing Press
The Maratha
kings started Chat trams for catering and other physical needs of the pilgrims.
Raja Serfoji started School attached to the most of the Chat trams under his
control and imparted free education to village Children. For the use of little
Children, Serfoji ordered that the English books like Aesop’s fables to
translate into simple Indian languages. He started the first printing press in
1805 in Thanjavur with Devanagari Script called “Navavidya KalasalaVarnayantra”
for producing copies of all great works in languages for wider use and
circulation among public. The Journal
entitled “Indian Antiquary” vol.1 Published in 1872 mentions that the Serfoji’s
printing press was the earliest printing press, which was started for
Devanagari script printing in whole south India. The Types and Blocks were
prepared using soft stone and hard wood. Even today the library preserves some
of the books printed in press.
Dhanvantri Mahal:
Raja
Serfoji was running an Institution in Thanjavur called Dhanvantri Mahal. He
devoted himself for the progress of research in Ayurvda, Siddha, and USANi in
the Dhanvantri Mahal. Recipes of medicinal preparations were recorded in
Manuscript form in 18 volumes. These manuscripts are embodied in the series of
words named Sarabendra Vaidyamuraigal. Besides basic research on many ailments,
excellent work had been done on disease like Cancer, Polio, Diabetes and
Tuberculosis by this institution in Ayurveda and Siddha field. The Library has published some in the Series.
There was an
Ophthalmic section in that Institution, which maintained the case history
sheets for each patients with picture of the diseased eye, date of admission,
types of treatment given and condition during discharge. The case history
sheets reveal that free treatment was given to public and some amount was also
given during discharge of the patients.
Musical Notation
Raja
Serfoji was a great composer and a musician and had left several musical
compositions in Indian languages as well as in English. He collected nearly 150
musical notation books and more than thirty hand-written Indian musical
notation copies are preserved in the library. Even now some of his compositions
are performed
Member of Royal
Asiatic Society
The
British has given high regard to the King Serfoji II. He was included as a
Honorary member of Royal Asiatic society of Great Britain and Ireland. In 1827
there were only four foreign dignitaries who were honorary members in the
society, they are:-
1. His
Royal Highness the Duke Oeorleans
2. His
majesty the King of Oude
3. His Royal Highness Abbas mirza, Prince
Royal of Persia
4. His
Highness the Rajah of Tanjore.
Raja
Serfoji’s multi-focal knowledge, and recognition and good relationship of the
British administrators cause him to collect more books and manuscripts.
View of a visitor:
Thomas
Robinson who accompanied Bishop Heber to meet Raja Serfoji on 30th
March 1826 written in the book “the last days of Bishop Heber as,” The Bishop
paid a private visit to the Rajah, who received us in his library, a noble room
with three rows of pillars, and handsomely furnished in the English style. On
one side there are portraits of the Mahratta dynasty from Shahjee and Sivajee,
ten bookcases containing a very fair collection of French, English, German,
Greek, and Latin Books, and two others of Maharatta and Sanskrit manuscripts.
In the adjoining room has an air pump, an electrifying machine, an ivory
skeleton, astronomical instruments, and several cases of books, many of which
are on the subject of medicine, which was for some years his favorite study. He
showed us his valuable collection of coins, paintings of flowers and natural
history, with each of which he seemed to have considerable acquaintance,
particularly with the medicinal virtues of plants in his hortus sick’s. When we
took our leave his Minister showed us a noble statue of the Rajah by Flaxman .
. . His stables contain several fine English horses; but that of which he is
most justly proud, as the rarest curiosity of an Indian Court, is an English
printing press, worked by native Christians, in which they struck off a
sentence in Mahratta in the Bishop’s presence in honor of his visit.
RARE BOOKS
Some are Dr.Johnson’s Dictionary
(5th edition, 1784 A.D.) in two volumes, A Pictorial Bible of 1791,
Antoine Alaurent Lavoisier’s Elements of Chemistry, first edition of Fourcroy’s
major work the General system of Chemical Knowledge in Eleven volumes, George
Buffons 36 volumes of Natural History of the Earth (1749-1785).
Books on Travels History:
Books on Travels and Voyages give
historical facts and records of that period. This library has many books on
travels. Robert Perivale’s book “ An account of the Island of Ceylon”
Containing its History, Geography, Natural History, with the manners and
Customs of its various Inhabitants. George, Viscount Valentia’s Voyages and
Travels to India Ceylon, the Red Sea, Abyssinia and Egypt in the years 1802 to
1806 gives historical accounts of various places and status of administration.
We could know the Tanjore palace description from this book. Some other books give historical facts on India are
v
The Travels of Ibn Batuta,2vols tr by Lee Samuel
B. D, London, 1829
v
A Voyage in the Indian Ocean and to Bengal 2 v.
by Grnadpre,L.D, London,1803
v
Travels from England to India 2 v. of Major John
Taylor, London, 1799
v
Army during the Mahratha War of 1817-1819 by
Blacker Valentine, London,1821
v
Memoirs of the operations of the British Army in
India during 1817-1819
v
A Narrative of the Campaign in India by Dirom ,
London,1793
v
The History of Hindustan, 2v by Dow Alexander,
London, 1770
v
A History of Hindustan from the death of Akbar
to the reign of Aurangazib
v
A View of the Taj Mahal at the city of Agra,
London,1798
v
Journals of the Sieges of the Madras Army in
1817-19 by Lake Edward, London, 1825.
v
Consideration of the policy of renewing
exclusive privileges of East India company,1812
v
History o the Religious institutions founded by
British in Calcutta, Lushington
Charles,1824
v
Sketch of political History of India from Pitts
Bill 1784 to the present date 1811
v
Indian Antiquities or the history of Hindustan,
7 v, Marsh Herbert,1794
v
History of British India, 6v,Mill James,
London,1826
v
A Narrative o th Mahratta Army by Moor Edward
v
A History of the Military transactions of the
British Nation in Industan 2v by Robert Orme,London,1798 etc.,
Maps and Atlases:
The Atlases and
Maps collected by the Raja Serfoji are extraordinary important, which are
preserved in the library. These Maps dealt with ancient History, Geographical
details, Sea routes, Political divisions and their boundaries. The Maps were made with the compilation of
land survey. In the Maps printed in 18th and 19th
century, we can see the name of India as “Hindoostan” or the Mogul Empire” Australia
as New Holland, Japan as Nippon etc,
v The
Oldest printed book available in this Library is an Atlas, which was printed in
the years 1692, 1693 and 1696. The Atlas consists78 plates with Description in
French languages The Maps having both descriptions of the countries and
navigational directions
v An
interesting and rare map of India of size 112x106 cms is available in the
Library. The title and other details are “A Map of Hindoostan or the Moghul
Empire” from the latest authority inscribed to Sir Joseph banks Bart, president
of Royal Society which was produced by Mr. J. Rennel, a pioneer in Map making
on 1st Jan 1788. In this map the coastal Tamilnadu and some portions
extended up to Ongole in Andhra Pradesh are referred as the region of Carnatic.
Hence the music flourished in this area has been called as Carnatic Music. It
is significant to note that this map indicates Adams Bridge, which connects
India and Ceylon. Maclean in his Glossary of Madras Presidency Gazetteers (Vol.
III pate 5) mentioned that the bridge was used for foot traffic till 1480
A.D. Later it was damaged by the breach.
v Collection
of maps and plans to accompanying to History of the military transactions of
the British Nation in Indoostan by Robert Orme,1862, which depicts the military
transactions of the British and Ancient Plans of the Forts.
v Maps
of the world showing the tracks and discoveries of captain cook, drawn for the
best authorities by P.J. Russell, London, 1811. This Atlas consists 29 plates
v Maps
of the world from the latest discourses by R.Wilkinson, London 1796, which
consists 48 plates. This atlas have an accurate maps of Hindoostan and an
account maps of southern provinces of Hindoostan showing the territories
ceded Tippoo Sahib
v A
New maps of world with captain Cooks tracts by Lauri Whittle, London, 1800
v Maps
of the world by John Carry, Engineer, London,1801
v The
world from the Discourses and Observations made in the largest Voyages and
Travels
v An
Atlas to Guthrie’s Geographical Grammar
v The
Chronology and History Of the world by John Blair, London, 1814
v The
Small British Atlas: maps to countries of England and Wales by John Racquet,
1764.
v Geographia
Classica: Gography of the ancients as contained in Greek and Latin classics by
Hermon Moll, Geographer, 1721. The maps were drawn on the basis of the Classics
by Justin,Homer, Hyodoties, Xerophon, Caeser, Lucan about Roman Empire, Egypt,
Expedition of Alexander the Great,
Notable Maps:
v Map
of the Dominions of Mysoor at the death of Chick Deo Raj Wadeyar in 1704 by
Lieut Co. Mackenzie, London, Longman, 1810
v Sketch
showing the different roads through the Peninsula of India under the presidency
of Fort St. George.
v Map
Illustrative of the History of the life and times of HyderAlly Khan and his
descendants; exhibiting the utmost extent of the Mysore dominions under that
family and the principal places connected with the transactions of that period
to 1799. This map laid down from the late surveyor of Mysore liet. Col. wilks.
Pictures and Drawings:
Serfoji collected
many pictorial books on the views of scenarios, towns, temples, country sides,
fort and battle, rivers etc. Some of the notable pictorial books are costumes
of various countries, view of Burma, view of Mysore, Himalayan views, Chinese
punishments etc.,
A
notable and interesting pictorial book available in the Library is "Human
Physiognomy pictures". It is a series of Lithographic drawings by
Charles-Le-Brun, a noted French Artist, it is a Illustrative drawing of
relation between human face with beast and birds face. Another 48 pictures of
Oriental scenarios of Hindoostan by Daniel brothers are also available in the
Library.
Other collections:
Besides books and manuscripts, this
library possesses beautifully decorated Thanjavur style paintings on wood,
canvas, glass and about five thousand folios of illustrated paper paintings
such as Gaja sastra, Aswa Sastra, Mythological pictures, botanical specimen
paintings, military costumes, Chitra Ramayana etc., The library also has a rich
collections of miniature manuscripts, miniature paintings and manuscripts of
micrographic writings. One such manuscript is Shivaprapancharatna stotram.
Each letter in this work is made up of the microscopic term ‘Shiva Shiva’.
It feature is an excellent calligraphy.
Manuscripts
Catalogue:
Even though
the Library originated in 16th Century, the earliest catalogue
available in the Library belongs to Raja Serfoji’s Period. The Catalogue for
Palm leaf manuscripts was prepared in Palm leaf form and that of paper
manuscripts in Paper form, The Palm leaf manuscript catalogues are three
bundles in Telugu Script. The Palm leaf manuscript catalogue preparation work
was started in 1801. The Later in 1840 and 1857, catalogues were prepared by
the orders of Shivaji II and the then Thanjavur District Collector Mr. Forbes.
In 1871, by the order of the Governor General, Dr. A. C. Burnell prepared
catalogue for Sanskrit manuscripts and published in two volumes in 1879 and
1880 printed at London. From 1920
Descriptive catalogue preparation has been started and 62 volumes of catalogues
were prepared for Manuscripts.. A catalogue for his book collection was also
prepared in 1830. Under 27 Subject headings and the titles one arranged in
alphabetically under each subjects.
PUBLICATION
One of the aims of the Library is to
publish the rare and unpublished manuscripts into printed book form. The
Pandits of Sanskrit, Marathi, Telugu and Tamil are undertaking editing job for
publication. Apart from them, Guest
Editors are also appointed to undertake some specialized works. Expert in that
field evaluates the edited manuscripts and then it will be taken for
publication. So far this library has published 535 books from the manuscripts
This Library manuscripts and books are national wealth. It is our duty of
one and all to preserve them for the use of future generation.
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