Raghunatha Nayak
| Raghunatha Nayak | |
|---|---|
| Raja of Thanjavur | |
| Reign | 1600–1634 |
| Coronation | 1614 |
| Predecessor | Achuthappa Nayak |
| Successor | Vijaya Raghava Nayak |
| Born | Unknown Thanjavur |
| Died | 1634 |
| Consort | Kalavati, Chenchamma Ramabhadramba |
| Issue | Vijaya Raghava Nayak |
| House | House of Nayak |
| Dynasty | Thanjavur Nayak Dynasty |
Raghunatha Nayak was the third ruler of Thanjavur, southern India, from the Nayak dynasty. He ruled from 1600 to 1634 and is considered to be the greatest of the Thanjavur Nayak kings. His reign is noted for the attainments of Thanjavur in literature, art and Carnatic music.
Raghunatha Nayak was the eldest son of Achuthappa Nayak and was born after intense penance by his father. The Raghunathabhyudayam and Sahityanatyakara give a detailed account of his childhood. As a boy, Raghunatha was taught the shastras, the art of warfare and administration. He had multiple queens, chiefly Kalavati, who is referred to in the Raghunathabhyudayam as Pattampurani. Ramabhadramba, who wrote a history of the Thanjavur Nayak dynasty, was one of his concubines.
In his early days Raghunatha won acclaim fighting the Golconda Sultanate. Raghunatha ascended the throne in 1600 and ruled with his father from 1600 to 1614 and as sole monarch from 1614 to 1634.
In 1614, Sriranga II, the Raja of Vijayanagar, was killed by a rival claimant, Jaggaraya. Raghunatha proceeded against Jaggaraya to avenge the murder. Different accounts give varying versions of the events. According to Ramabhadramba, Raghunatha first fought a rebellious regional chieftain called Solaga, pursuing him to Kumbakonam and then besieging him in his island-fortress on the Kollidam before turning his attention to the Portuguese and attacking Jaffna. After his victory over the Portuguese, Ramabhadramba claims, Raghunatha returned to the Indian mainland, where he pursued Jaggaraya to Toppur and defeated him. He later constructed a pillar of victory and took possession of Bhuvanagiri near Chidambaram.
According to Yagnanarayana Dikshita, the campaign was preceded by a council held by Achuthappa Nayak in which Raghunatha, Govinda Dikshita and the exiled king of Jaffna participated. The whole campaign against Jaggaraya and the Solaga was the outcome of this conference.
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