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19th century painting of Raja Serfoji and his son Sivaji

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    History & Culture
  • Published
    22nd Jul, 2022

Context

 A rare 19th century painting of Raja Serfoji and his son Sivaji, which was stolen from Saraswathi Mahal, Thanjavur, a few years ago has been traced by Idol Wing CID police to the Peabody Essex Museum, Massachusetts, USA. 

  • The painting was purchased in 2006 from an international antique dealer who was arrested by the State police in 2011 on charges of smuggling several antiques/artefacts.  



Background of the painting 

  • For a long time, the rulers of Thanjavur had been devoid of absolute power. 
  • Serfoji, placed by the British on the throne over his step brother Amar Singh, died in 1832. 
    • His only son Sivaji ruled until 1855. 
    • However, he had no male successor. 
  • Thanjavur became a casualty of Lord Dalhousie's infamous 'Doctrine of Lapse', and it got absorbed into British-ruled Indian provinces. 
  • The painting, which has Raja Serfoji and his  youthful son, according to some historians, was probably painted between 1822 and 1827 and kept in the Saraswathi Mahal. 
    • In 1918, the Saraswathi Mahal Library was opened to the public. 
  • Efforts were made to microfilm and catalogue the contents in 1965 when Indira Gandhi, who was the Information and Broadcasting Minister, sanctioned the fund for the library's development. 
  • Despite this, there exists no record to show the disappearance of the painting from the mahal. 

Verifying, please be patient.