Thuljaji

Thuljaji Bhonsle (Marathi: तुळजाजी, also known as Tullasu Rasa) (1738–1787) was the eldest son of Pratap Singh and the ruler of Thanjavur Bhonsle dynasty from 1763 to 1773 and 1776 to 1787. He was a weak-hearted ruler despite being extremely generous. His period is known for the treaties which made Thanjavur subordinate to the British East India Company.

Invasion of Ramnad and the Occupation of the Nawab of the Carnatic In 1771, Thuljaji invaded the dominion of the Polygar of Ramnad who had wrested Hanumantagudi from Thanjavur during the reign of Pratapsingh. The Raja of Ramnad was a dependent of the Nawab of Carnatic and this act of aggression by Thuljaji forced the Nawab to interfere. Eighty lakhs of arrears had to be paid apart from a war indemnity of thirty-two lakhs. However, soon after his restoration a treaty was forced upon him by which he became a mere vassal of the British. He conferred the title of Andhra Kalidasa on poet Aluri Kuppana. Thuljaji however remained a devout Hindu, drawn deeply to the Saivism sect.