Government recognition
Legacy of Sarasvati Mahal Library in Thanjavur: The Tamil Nadu government has officially declared the Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji’s Sarasvati Mahal Library and Research Centre as a library of historical and cultural importance. It is now listed as an aided library under the Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Rules 1950.
Origins under Nayak rule
The library’s foundation dates back to the sixteenth century during the Nayak rulers of Thanjavur (1535–1675 CE). It began as a palace library and preserved rare literary and scholarly works.
Static GK fact: Thanjavur was a major cultural hub of South India during the Nayak period, known for temple architecture and the promotion of arts.
Maratha contributions
The Maratha rulers expanded the library’s collections. A major transformation came under Raja Serfoji II (1798–1832 CE), a noted bibliophile who acquired books and manuscripts from India and abroad. His personal collection alone accounts for 4,530 books.
Rare manuscripts and collections
The library houses over 81,400 books and 47,500 palm leaf and paper manuscripts. The manuscripts are in multiple languages, including Tamil, Sanskrit, Marathi, Telugu, Hindi, English, French, German, and Italian.
Static GK Tip: Palm leaf manuscripts were traditionally used in South Asia for recording texts before the widespread use of paper.
Diversity of scripts
The scripts represented include Grantha, Devanagari, Nandi Nagari, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Odiya. This showcases the multilingual and multicultural reach of the library’s holdings.
Subject coverage
The Tamil collection includes Saiva, Vaishnavaite, and Jain religious works, along with rare medicinal texts. It also contains treatises on arts, music, philosophy, and governance.
Static GK fact: Thanjavur’s Sarasvati Mahal is considered one of the oldest libraries in Asia and a leading Oriental manuscript repository.
Global recognition
The Sarasvati Mahal Library is regarded as one of the greatest Oriental manuscript libraries in the world. Its holdings attract researchers globally, making it a significant centre for the study of South Indian history, literature, and culture.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Legacy of Sarasvati Mahal Library in Thanjavur:
| Fact | Detail |
| Location | Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu |
| Established | 16th century under Nayak rulers |
| Government classification | Aided library under Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Rules 1950 |
| Major contributor | Raja Serfoji II (1798–1832 CE) |
| Total books | Over 81,400 |
| Total manuscripts | Over 47,500 palm leaf and paper manuscripts |
| Languages in manuscripts | Tamil, Sanskrit, Marathi, Telugu, Hindi, English, French, German, Italian |
| Scripts in manuscripts | Grantha, Devanagari, Nandi Nagari, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Odiya |
| Special collections | Saiva, Vaishnavaite, Jain religious works, rare medicinal texts |
| Global status | One of the oldest and greatest Oriental manuscript libraries in the world |
