2021-06-21 Mon

The rule of Maratha in Tanjore begins with the invasion of Venkoji in Tanjore in 1675 CE. Venkoji established his kingdom by taking the advantage of the confusion of the Bijapur Kingdom and by usurped the power from Chengamaladhas and established the Maratha rule in Tanjore.

In the next, year in 1676, he founded the Maratha kingdom and the rule of Maratha continued in Tanjore for a century and a half; that marked the beginning of cultural revival and blossoming of the artistic tradition. Venkoji was the half-brother of Maratha king Shivaji, he was the first Raja of Thanjavur from the Bhosale dynasty.

This copper heavy cash that weighs around 2.66g was issued from the Tanjore in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The obverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘Shri/Raja/Seeva in a dotted circle’. The reverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘ Chhetr?/P?ti’.

Image Courtesy: Classical Numismatic Gallery