PREFACE
The Saraswathi Mahal Library in Tanjore is the result of the fusion of three different cultural influences, the Tamilian Cholas, the Telugu Nayaks and the Marathas, finally enriched by the impact of the west. The Manuscripts in the Library are in the respective languages of the rulers, Tamil, Telugu and Marathi. But it is a remarkable lesson to us in tolerance that under the reigns of the three different dynasties, the successor evinced no hostility to the language of the predecessor. On the other hand, we find evidence of remarkable linguistic experiments, like Tamil manuscripts in Telugu script, Telugu and Tamil manuscripts in Nagari Script written under the Maratha rulers, and Sanskrit manuscripts in Telugu Script. Each ruler collected works in many languages and many subjects, until in the time of Serfoji, the Great Maratha king, we find the Saraswathi Mahal well established as a centre of research and learning.
Although the Sanskrit collections in the Library are by far the most voluminous, still the Telugu works in our archives are of supreme interest to the student of Telugu literature. The Telugu Nayak Kings of Taniore were great patrons of learning and themselves talented writers; and their period witnessed splendid achievements in Tulugu literature, including the works of Kings and Princes and the famous minister, the Great Govinda Dikshita. Rich harvests in Telugu started by the Telugu Kings continued under the Maratha Kings, some of whom like Shaji
