Tukkoji
Encyclopedia
Tukkoji (1677–1736) was the fourth Maratha
ruler of Thanjavur. He was from the Bhonsle
dynasty and was the son of Ekoji I
as well as the younger brother of Shahuji I and Serfoji I
. Tukkoji ruled Thanjavur from 1728 to 1736.
Tukkoji concluded the Marava war commenced by Serfoji I. Unlike his brother, however, he switched over to Bhavani Shankar's side and helped the latter attain the throne.
Marathi inscriptions of this period record Tukkoji's aid to Meenakshi the Queen of Tiruchirapalli
against the Polygars who rose in revolt against her.He also fought against Chanda Sahib
on the side of the Hindu rajas of South India. Chanda Sahib's first expedition in 1734 was bought off. But the second expedition in 1736 resulted in the fall of Tiruchirapalli.
Tukkoji was a good linguist. He is also credited with having introduced Hindusthani music in Thanjavur. He wrote a work on music called Sangeetha Samamrita. His minister Ghansyama Pandit wrote a commentary on the Uttaramacharitra of Bhavabhuti.
who succeeded to the throne on the death of his father. But he ruled for not more than a year. However he had a number of offsprings from his concubines. A three-year long period of anarchy followed his death. It came to an end only with the accession of Pratapsingh
in 1739.
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
ruler of Thanjavur. He was from the Bhonsle
Bhonsle
The Bhonsle were a prominent clan within the Maratha clan system who served as rulers of several states in India.The most prominent member of the clan was Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha empire...
dynasty and was the son of Ekoji I
Ekoji I
Venkoji or Ekoji I was the younger half-brother of Shivaji and founder of Maratha rule in Thanjavur...
as well as the younger brother of Shahuji I and Serfoji I
Serfoji I
Serfoji I , also called Sarabhoji I, was the son of the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur Ekoji I and the Raja of Thanjavur from 1712 to 1728. He was the third Raja of the Bhonsle dynasty. He consolidated the hold of Marathas over Thanjavur and patronised arts and literature.- The Marava War of...
. Tukkoji ruled Thanjavur from 1728 to 1736.
Reign
Tukkoji succeeded bis brother Serfoji I to the throne of Thanjavur on the former's death in 1728 and is believed to have reigned until 1736. However, the available records don't agree with each other. While the Tanjore Marathi inscriptions assign eight years to his rule the Madras Tamil manuscript assigns only 6 years.Tukkoji concluded the Marava war commenced by Serfoji I. Unlike his brother, however, he switched over to Bhavani Shankar's side and helped the latter attain the throne.
Marathi inscriptions of this period record Tukkoji's aid to Meenakshi the Queen of Tiruchirapalli
Tiruchirapalli
Tiruchirappalli ) , also called Tiruchi or Trichy , is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli District. It is the fourth largest municipal corporation in Tamil Nadu and also the fourth largest urban agglomeration in the state...
against the Polygars who rose in revolt against her.He also fought against Chanda Sahib
Chanda Sahib
Chanda Sahib was the Nawab of the Carnatic between 1749 and 1752. His birth name is Husayn Dost Khan. He was the son-in-law of the Nawab of Carnatic Dost Ali Khan, under whom he worked as a Dewan. He belonged the Muslim Nait community which had ruled the Carnatic under the Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Khan...
on the side of the Hindu rajas of South India. Chanda Sahib's first expedition in 1734 was bought off. But the second expedition in 1736 resulted in the fall of Tiruchirapalli.
Tukkoji was a good linguist. He is also credited with having introduced Hindusthani music in Thanjavur. He wrote a work on music called Sangeetha Samamrita. His minister Ghansyama Pandit wrote a commentary on the Uttaramacharitra of Bhavabhuti.
Death and Succession
Tukkoji died in 1736. He left behind one legitimate son EkojiEkoji II
Ekoji II was the eldest surviving son of Maratha king of Thanjavur Tukkoji who succeeded to the throne on the death of his father in 1736. His reign was remarkably short and he died due to ill-health in 1737.- Reign :...
who succeeded to the throne on the death of his father. But he ruled for not more than a year. However he had a number of offsprings from his concubines. A three-year long period of anarchy followed his death. It came to an end only with the accession of Pratapsingh
Pratapsingh of Thanjavur
Pratapsingh or Pratap Singh was the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur from 1739 to 1763. His rise to power followed three years of anarchy and civil war and restored the state to its previous greatness...
in 1739.