The Thanjavur Maratha kingdom ruled by the Bhonsle dynasty was a principality of Tamil Nadu between the 17th and 19th centuries.

The Emperor appointed his trusted Kin, who belonged to the Telugu-speaking Balija caste as Governors (Nayakas) of Madurai and Tanjavur.

A son of Vijaya Raghava induced the Bijapur Sultan to help him get back the Thanjavur throne.

In 1675, the Sultan of Bijapur sent a force commanded by the Maratha general Venkoji (alias Ekoji) to recapture the kingdom from the new invader.

He did not, however, place his protege on the throne as instructed by the Bijapur Sultan, but seized the kingdom and made himself king.

During his reign, Shivaji invaded Gingee and Thanjavur in 1676–1677 and made his brother Santaji the ruler of all lands to the north of the Coleroon.

During the last years of his reign, Vyankoji also allied with Chokkanatha of Madurai to repulse an invasion from Mysore.

During his reign, there were frequent skirmishes and battles with the Raja of Madurai and Ramnad for control of the border lands.

A subsequent treaty forced him to hand over the reins of the kingdom to the British East India Company, becoming part of the Tanjore District (Madras Presidency).

They mainly wrote short works on Puranic or other religious subjects, on the royal family members, or on the splendours of Thanjavur.

Shahaji's minister Tryambaka-yajvan wrote the Sanskrit-language texts Dharmakuta (a commentary on Ramayana) and Strī-dharma-paddhati.

[4] Serfoji built the Saraswathi Mahal Library within the precincts of the palace to house his enormous book and manuscript collection.

Apart from Indian languages, Serfoji II was proficient in English, French, Dutch, Greek and Latin as well.

The only foreign trade in the country was carried out by European traders who paid a particular amount of money as rent to the Raja.