SUJANA DEVI

Devi Sujana was the wife of Ekoji, the fifth ruler of Tanjavur and the son of Ekoji, a direct descendant of Venkoji. This was a time od great disturbance for Tanjavur when the Muslim rulers of the deccan had started training their eyes on the prosperous city. One Chanda Sahib was responsible for overpowering the ruling king and looting most of the treasures. He also succeeded in getting rid of Ekoji without any resistance.

At such a time, a woman had the courage to ascend the throne and take on the reins of administration into her hands. Sujan devi, Ekoji's widow was the only woman ever to have ruled over Tanjavur. But she proved no challenge to the cunning of Chanda Sahib and succumbed to the wicked ways of the conspirators.

This beautiful painting shows the queen in procession, as was the custom in those days, when the people felt happy to see their ruler once in while in all his or her grandeur.