Thanjavur Nayaks and drove away the ruler. He then proceeded to place his younger brother Alagiri Nayak on the throne of Thanjavur. This was resented by Rayasam Venkanna, a high-ranking official in the court of Thanjavur who supported the cause of Chengamala Dasu, the deposed son of Vijayaraghava, the late Nayak of Thanjavur. He proceeded to the court of Ali Adil Shah II of Bijapur
along with the minor Chengamaladas and requested his help.
The Adil Shah sent Venkoji to invade
nayaks
. A Sanskrit manuscript Bosalavamsavali narrates how Venkoji conquered Arni and proceeded to Thanjavur to liberate it from the shackles of the Nayak of Tiruchirapalli. The manuscript further narrates that While camping at Tirumalapadi near Tiruvadi, God appeared to him in a dream and asked him not to leave for home. However, Wilkes assigns different reasons for the usurpation by the Maratha, Venkoji. He is of the view that Venkoji was not pleased with the conduct of Chengamaladas who refused to pay the war expenses.
Assisted by Rayasam Venkanna who had switched sides once more, Venkoji conquered Ayyampettai and defeated Alagiri who had now also fallen out with his brother Chokkanatha Nayak as well as Changamaldas and secured the throne for himself. On the death of the Sultan of Bijapur, he crowned himself as the independent king of Thanjavur.
Reign
Dates of Ekoji I's reign
The
British East India Company
mention a king called Ekoji as late as 1699-1700.
However, Dharmakuta a commentary on the Ramayana suggests that Ekoji might have abdicated in the year 1684 in favor of his son Shahuji. However, it is quite unclear as to how many years he lived after the event.
forced him to turn back. He placed Vellore under the rule of a half-brother named Santoji. Ekoji I reacted by launching regular military campaigns into Santoji's territory with the intention of driving him away. However, in 1680, Bijapur succumbed to the invasions of Shivaji Maharaj and handed over the administration of all lands to the north of the Coleroon river to Shivaji Maharaj. Ekoji I was forced to become a vassal of Shivaji Maharaj and pay him tribute. On the death of Shivaji Maharaj, however, the tribute was stopped and Thanjavur retained its independent existence.
. However, the new ruler, Kilavan desired to become independent. With this aim in mind, he concluded an alliance with Ekoji and rebelled against his overlord. The battle ended in the victory of Shahuji I, the defeat of Madurai and the liberation of Ramnad.
Literature
Sanskrit, Tamil and Telugu literature flourished during this period. Venkoji himself is said to have composed a Telugu version of the Ramayana.
