Thanjavur Maratha Palace - Arsenal Tower (Gooda
Gopuram)
Gooda
Gopuram, the Arsenal Tower, is 192 feet height with eight storeys. It was
constructed during the period of the Marathas in 1855 CE. It was used as a
watchtower and an armory to store weapons and ammunition imported from European
countries. After the English captured the palace in 1855 CE, all the contents
were transferred to Tiruchirappalli, in 1863.
The
initial building was constructed by Nayaks in 1645 with only 2 floors. The
Marathas later renovated and finished the tower in 1855, and used it for
various military purposes. The top floor was used as a watch tower, and the
remaining floors were used to store arms and ammunition. The second floor was
exclusively used for the King's martial arts training.
A dead
whale's skull is found in this section. From this tower, one can get bird view
of Brihadeeswarar Temple Vimana. Arsenal Tower is a structure, which attracts
the visitors to Thanjavur even as the Tower of the Big Temple does. This
Arsenal Tower is 190 feet height with eight storeys and was constructed in 1855
CE during the period of Marathas.
