 The municipality of Tanjore was created in 1866 as a third grade municipality as per Town Improvements Act 1865 and initially consisted of 12 members . The number was increased to 18 in 1879 and 24 in 1883 . In 1897 , the members were empowered to elect a Municipal Chairperson to lead them . Tanjore was upgraded to a second grade municipality in 1933 and first grade in 1943 . Since 1983 , Thanjavur has been a special grade municipality. a As of 2008 , the municipality covers an area of 36 @.@ 33 km2 ( 14 @.@ 03 sq mi ) and has a total of 51 members . The functions of the municipality are devolved into six departments : General , Engineering , Revenue , Public Health , Town planning and the Computer Wing . All these departments are under the control of a Municipal Commissioner who is the supreme executive head . The legislative powers are vested in a body of 62 members , one each from the 62 wards . The legislative body is headed by an elected Chairperson assisted by a Deputy Chairperson . 
