Serfoji II
Topic: The Marathas · NCERT: Class 8, Ch 3 "The Marathas"
Meaning
Serfoji II (r. 1798–1832) was the most notable ruler of the Thanjavur Marathas in present-day Tamil Nadu. He was a scholar who knew many Indian and European languages. He made his court a great centre of learning, art and science. He shows how Maratha rule in the far South blended Tamil, Telugu and Marathi culture.
Example
Serfoji II did the following at Thanjavur:
- He wrote the Marathi play Devendra Kuravanji, which describes world geography as it was known then.
- He set up the Dhanwantari Mahal, which gave free medical treatment using both Indian and Western medicine.
- He started the first printing press in India set up by an Indian ruler.
- He had his family history carved on the walls of the Brihadishwara temple. It is one of the largest single inscriptions in India.
- He enlarged the Saraswathi Mahal library.
Under his patronage modern Carnatic music took shape, along with the early stages of Bharatanatyam.
Don't confuse with
- Ekoji: Ekoji was Shivaji's half-brother. He founded Thanjavur Maratha rule in the late 17th century. Serfoji II was a much later ruler of the same line.