Spencer, Offg.C.J.

1. In A.D. 1674 during the reign of the great Mogul Emperor Aurangzeb, Ekoji alias Venkaji took Tanjore from its Nayak Rulers without firing a shot. This Mahratta General was the son of Shabji who had attained military distinction under the independent Muhamadan States of Ahmednugger and Bijipur and in the course of one of his military expeditions had levied a contribution from the Nayak Chiefs of Taujore and Madura in the South Carnatic country.

2. Ekojis grandfather was Malloji, a Mahratta of the Bhonsle family, who distinguished himself under Jadava or Jadow Bow, a Mahratta Chief in the service of the Ahmednugger Government, and won the hand of his daughter Jiji Bai for his elder son Shahji. Shahji by his first wife Jiji Bai waa the father of the famous Sivaji who founded the Mahratta Empire in the Deccan in the 17th century, and by his second wife Tukka Bai, daughter of Mahratta parents with the surname of Mohitai, was the father of Ekoji, the founder of the Mahratta dynasty in Tanjore. When Shahji died from a fall in the hunting field, Ekoji performed his funeral rites and was confirmed by the Bijapur Government in the enjoyment of the fiefs of Bangalo