Earlier known Tanjore, Thanjavur has a total population of about 2,23,000, with a literacy rate of 91%. Tamil is the most widely spoken language and the city is an important center for the traditional arts, crafts, culture, religion and architecture of Tamil Nadu. The city serves as the administrative headquarters of the Thanjavur district. The population of the district is 2.4 million, the literacy rate is 82% and 40 percent of the people are in the working age. 56 percent participate in the agriculture sector, 3 percent in the household industry and 41 percent are employed in industry and services. Located in the Cauvery Delta, this is a large agricultural district with 58% of the land suitable for agriculture and is also known as “Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu". Besides paddy, other prominent crops of the region are Gram Pulses, Bananas, Maize, Sugarcane, Coconut and Ragi. Though the major occupation is in the agricultural sector, employment is also generated in the tourism and services sectors and in trade and commerce. Traditional crafts of the region are Tanjore Painting, weaving of silk saris, metal craft, bronze works and manufacture of musical instruments. The city first rose to prominence during the reign of the Medieval Cholas when it served as the capital of the empire. The 11th century Sri Brihadeeswara temple of Thanjavur, built by the Cholas is a Unesco World Heritage Sight. After the fall of the Cholas, the city was ruled by various dynasties like the Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks and Thanjavur Marathas.
