THANJAVUR: Two books in Tamil, dealing with the Nayak period history of Thanjavur and freedom struggle of India from 1857 to 1947 were released at a function held at Thiruvaiyaru, near here on Sunday. The books titled, “Thanjavur Nayakkar Varalaru” and “Suthanthira Garjanai”, written by V.Gopalan, director of Bharathi Ilakkiya Payilagam were released to mark the 80th birth anniversary of the author. S.N.M. Ubayathullah, former minister released the books and S.P.Anthonisamy, correspondent of Parisutham Institute of Science and Technology (PITS) received the books.
Gopalan said that the book “Thanjavur Nayakkar Varalaru” dealt with the 128 years history of Nayak rule in Thanjavur, spread between the 16th and 17th centuries (CE). Before the Maratta rule in Thanjavur, Kings of Vijayanagara empire ruled Thanajvur. Krishnadevaraya appointed Sevappa Nayak as the king of Thanjavur. Sevappa Nayak was the relative of Achuthadevaraya, younger brother of Krishnadevaraya. Many water bodies and rainwater harvesting structures and drinking water facilities were developed by Sevappa Nayak in Thanajvur, he pointed out. Achuthappa Nayak followed Sevappa Nayak and ruled Thanajvur. His son Raghunatha Nayak also ruled Thanajvur.
The last king in the Nayak dynasty who ruled Thanjavur was Vijayaraghava Nayak. Govinda Dikshithar was a minister during Nayak period. Achuthappa Nayak built the Gopuram of Sri Ranganathaswmy temple at Srirangam and its ‘prakaras’. Vijayaraghava Nayak was murdered in the streets of Thanajvur by the Nayak army from Madurai. These are among the top highlights of the Nayak rule here.
“Suthanthira Garjanai” book dealt with “Sepoy’s Mutiny” in 1857 and historical events from 1857 to 1947 when India got its freedom. Ruled directly by queen Victoria after the Sepoy’s Mutiny, the second book dwells on Thilak period of the freedom struggle till 1906, Mahatma Gandhi’s period in the national movement after 1915, when he came to India, and Quit India Movement in 1942.
