![]() Portrait of Sir T. Madhava Rao, a Thanjavur Maharashtrian of 19th Century | |
Total population | |
---|---|
~70,000 (2001) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
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Languages | |
Thanjavur Marathi, Tamil | |
Religion | |
Hinduism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Marathi people, Deshasta Brahmin, Tamil people |
Thanjavur Marathi people (colloquially called Rayar), are a Thanjavur Marathi-speaking ethno-linguistic group, who reside in the central and northern parts of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They are the descendants of Marathi administrators, soldiers and noblemen who migrated to this region during the rule of the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom. Thanjavur was a Maratha kingdom in Tamil Country, until the British East India Company dethroned the last Thanjavur Maratha king, Shivaji of Thanjavur. It was founded by Maratha Warrior King Chatrapati Shivaji's half-brother, Ekoji alias Venkoji Rajē Bhonsalē.[1][2] The Kshatriyas use Maratha, while the Brahmins use the surname Deshastha.[3]