Thanjavur Palace

Thanjavur Palace, also called Aranmanai, was built by the Nayak kings in the 16th century and later expanded by the Maratha Bhonsle dynasty who ruled until 1855. The complex blends Nayak, Maratha, and European architectural styles across its interconnected halls, courtyards, and towers. The seven-storey Arsenal Tower and the ornate Sangeetha Mahal are notable interiors. The Durbar Hall features paintings of the royal court, and the palace grounds contain the separate Saraswathi Mahal Library and the Art Gallery. Now maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, it is the cultural heart of Thanjavur.