Descriptive Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts in Tanjore Vol 19

SR No.: 020244
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: P P S Shastri
Publisher: Government of Madras
Publication Year: 1934
Total Pages: 260
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Catalogue
File Size: 14 MB

Page 11

vii
fully preserved in the archives of their courts, the Manuscripts being mainly on palm leaf. These Nayak rulers were not only military chiefs but possessed grout artistic and scholarly instincts besides a few of them being themselves authors of no meau repute. The Nayak rulers were followed by the famous Mahratha kings who ruled Tanjore from 1676-1855 when the last of the Mahraths Kings died and the principality of Tanjore became a full British possession. The change of rule from the Nayaks to the Mahrathas did not, as is usual with alien invasions, produce any serious un. settlement in the existing social and other conditions of the people of the land. We know that military successes have always meant a full stop for a temporary period at any rate of all lines of progress, particularly in belles letters, art and other non-political activities of the vanquished. But fortunately, this does not seem to have been the case at any rate as far as Tanjore was concerned. The Mahratha rulers seem to have been greater and more enthusiastic patrons of Literature and Art than their predecessors. Scholars and poets, artists and painters-all enjoyed increasing patronage at their hands. Almost the last of them, the great Maharaja Serfoji (1800-1832) did the greatest and most lasting service not only to his race but to all India when he embarked on a gigantic plan for increasing the usefulness of the Library. We are told that whilst on a pilgrimage to Benares, he bought every valuable manuscript that was for sale and ordered a host of pandits to faircopy the others that were too precious and could not be bought. Thus the largest single collection added to the Library was during his time and under his direct fostering care. As a fitting tribute to the great patron of learning, the library has been named by the Administrative Committee that took charge of it in 1918 as the Maharaja Serfoji Sarasvati Mahal Library Tanjore'. It is hoped that the Descriptive Catalogne now issued in nineteen volumes will not only preserve the valuable treasures of this library for posterity but will also inspire sufficient confidence in the public to induce them to deposit their individual collections of manuscripts in the library as thereby, their preservation and usefulness to the scholar- world will be amply assured. A short account of the various collections that have now been catalogued will be fcand under "General Introduction."